Farewell Maurice, thank you for your stories, your art, and your vision



"Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, “Jim loved your card so much he ate it.” That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it." - Maurice Sendak



Happy Children's Book Week!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

~Emilie Buchwald



"Write like your hair is on fire...Warriors work from a place of passion, harness your passion and it will set you apart..."

~Bruce Hale, Keynote Address: Writer's Mind, Warrior's Mind, SCBWI WWA

"It is your duty to offer your unique creative expression to the world..."

~Bonnie Becker, Crystal Kite Award Recipient, Keynote: Sometimes It's Easy

Vote For Me!



This evening I attended the book launch party for Ben Clanton's Vote For Me! at Secret Garden Books in Ballard.  Didn't know anyone there, but am so glad I went! Have I mentioned how awesome picture book authors and illustrators are? It's just such a great group of people supporting each other and genuinely cheering on each other's successes.  I, however, was massively jealous! Here's this incredibly talented, clever and funny kid, Ben Clanton, and he is a kid. Maybe 24. And already a published author/illustrator. Hate him. Only kidding, of course. I admire him and what he's been able to accomplish already. It reminds me that I need to get back to work. And work harder! I mean, do I want to have my own book launch party at Secret Garden with all of my closest friends and family and literary supporters, and get to hold my own beautiful published book in my hands?? You bet your sweet donkey I do.  More than anything in this whole, wide world.  Ben thinks I can do it...

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

~ Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

Super 8



  I just saw the movie Super 8 for the first time and loved it so much I had to write about it here! I only wish I had seen it in theatre.  It reminded me that some of my all-time favorite movies are the kid adventure, coming-of-age films. Stand By Me, E.T., The Sandlot even the chicky flick Now and Then, I am just completely drawn to the nostalgia of childhood experiences, and that elusive time between youth and adulthood that seems to garner the fondest memories.  
 
  When author Gary D. Schmidt give his talk at Western WA University's Children's Lit Conference, he spoke of how most of his novels focus on what it means to to turn from the ease of childhood to adulthood. His interest lies in that moment, or series of events in which "we turn our faces toward adulthood and why." I found that Super 8 also explored this common theme, and did so in a beautifully, poignant manner.  And it didn't hurt that the kid actors were all incredibly gifted. Really, they blew me away! Such raw talent, intuition and unself-conscious performances from such young people is really awe inspiring. Not only that, but the characters they play are these awesome kids with drive and ambition.  They taught themsleves to make movies on a Super 8 camera, and instead of sitting inside all summer playing video games, they run around town filming and following their passion and chasing down grand adventures.  I loved that. I hope to instill that kind of active moxie in my own children someday. And they were brave. Even when they were scared. It was really heartwarming to see kids with that kind of courage.

  My Uncle John reminded me that this period of turning toward adulthood has always played an integral part in literature throughout history. "In German, the coming of age story is called a bildungsroman. Every culture has them, probably because it's such a fundamental part of the human condition. Moving from the prebuescent to the mature adult stage of life has more than mere physical manifestations. There are social, economic, and even political implications when a person enters the adult community. It underlies the Jewish tradition of bar mitzvah.  Even Katniss Everdean comes of age in the arena (Hunger Games)." 
 
  We are drawn to coming of age stories because it is something we have all experienced, and it can often be an emotionally turbulent time.  The wonder lost and the awareness found in this in-between moment in a child's life is definitely bittersweet.  And that is something we all remember well.

2012 Newbery and Caldecott Medal Winners

Here are the 2012 Newbery and Caldecott Medal Winners, check 'em out and see what all the fuss is about!

2012 Newbery Medal Winner: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

2012 Newbery Honor Books:

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

2012 Caldecott Medal: A Ball for Daisy illustrated and written by Chris Raschka

2012 Caldecott Honor Books:

Blackout illustrated and written by John Rocco

Grandpa Green illustrated and written by Lane Smith

Me...Jane illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell