Last little bits from today

Read Roger talks about “also-rans” in terms of book awards, and wonders if a book is nominated another award — say, for instance the Coretta Scott King Award or the Pura Belpré Medal, do Newbery and Caldecott people unconsciously discount them, figuring they can win “something else.” After all, wasn’t it the relative lack of award attention … that brought these new awards into existence in the first place?” Kind of a good question…

I got a little “squee!” (as Jackie says) from reading Chicken Spaghetti’s post about multicultural sci-fi and fantasy. I have had people suggest various books to me over time, and I have a someday hope of writing YA fantasy — a dim someday hope, granted, because my agent hates fantasy, and I’d have to do a bit of work to convince him that it was a good idea. Anyway, Susan has reposted, with permission of Prof. Craig Svonkin and the others at Child_Lit a list of multicultural and ethnic fantasy which includes dystopia, time travel and others in the loosely categorized genre. I don’t know about you, people, but as SOON as my readings for Cybils are done, I shall begin tracking down ALL of these gems for the bedside reading table. (Yes, yes, I know in theory I’ll be revising a manuscript by then. When I drop everything and get into bed with a bowl of popcorn and a book I’ll call it… um, research…)

It’s unbelievable that we are reaching the end of the month! Congratulations to everyone slogging away at National Novel Writing/Reading/Blogging Month — hope it was fun, at least… Sometimes it’s also fun to abstain from shoving yet one more thing into an over-packed month, too!

Ephemera

“Apparently, instead of eating an apple from the Tree of Knowledge, all you have to do is buy a pair of slacks from Banana Republic.”

As always, Minh at Bottom Shelf Books has the skinny on what’s really up with children’s literature — today is Disney v. Seinfeld… and it’s disturbing, let me tell you, how much Minnie Mouse and Julia Dreyfuss have in common.

Meanwhile, OH MY GOSH have my peeps moved into some exalted circles. First Jenn Robinson has gotten the label of “Expert” emblazoned across her superhero outfit. She’s helping grow bookworms all over the place.


And I hear Mitali is also part of the judging panel for the 2008 Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, along with Christopher Paul Curtis and Sid Fleischman. Way to go, Mitali! If you’re at all interested in nominating a fellow writer for the fellowship, hop on over to the site for information on how to apply — you only have until January 14, so hurry. It’s a tremendous gift to be able to share with a fellow writer.

And CONGRATULATIONS are in order for illustrator Irisz Agocs of Artista Blog who has just received the first copy of her first picture book illustration. This artist was listed in someone’s 7-Kicks ages ago, and I loved her work (Picturebook Nerd Alert!) so much I’ve kind of kept up with her, even though her posts aren’t always in English. So, yay Ms. Agocs!

Stay tuned for ‘Toon Thursday…