Yep, it’s that time of the year again. The announcement of the 2012 winners of the Caldecott and Newbery Medal is mere days away. And, although these awards may not have as wide an appeal as film and television awards, the blogosphere, schools and libraries are all abuzz with excitement. Each year, thousands of kids get a kick out of choosing “Mock” Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners and comparing their favorites with those of the judges. In fact, The American Library Association has created a tool kit to help teachers and librarians ramp up the excitement, Newbery and Caldecott Mock Elections Tool Kit. It’s a little pricy, but invaluable for schools and libraries. What fun. For those of you who’d like a little help narrowing down the contenders, you could hardly do better than Betsy Bird’s predictions over at A Fuse #8 Production. Personally, I can’t wait til Monday when the winners of these and some other sixteen awards will be announced because I just know that I’ll have a whole lot of great books to put into my ‘to read’ pile.
Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable Presents:
Year of the Dragon: Asian Themes for Young Canadian Readers
Saturday, February 25, 2012; 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (includes lunch & snacks) The University of British Columbia, Neville Scarfe Building; Room 100
***Featuring***
Paul Yee
Lisa Yee
Allen Say
***With Special Guests***
Tanya Kyi, 2011 Information Book Award, winner
Marjorie Coughlan Papertigers.org editor
Corinne Robson Papertigers.org editor
Joseph Wu, origami master and
Shiamak’s Bollywood Dancers
Registration Fees
Early Bird Rates (through January 31, 2012): Members $125 Non‐members $140 Students $75 Regular Rates (beginning February 1, 2012): Members $150 Non‐members $165 Students $100
Visit us at www.vclr.ca for more information or to register
Young adult author, Karen Rivers will be at the Victoria Children’s Literature Roundtable meeting on Monday January 16th to talk about how she found her “dream job” as a writer. Her books are funny, quirky, sad, and impossible to put down. I’ve never read one I didn’t like.
If you happen to be in the Victoria area, drop by the Nellie McClung Branch Library, 3950 Cedar Hill Road for an awesome program. Doors open at 7 pm & you can browse the bookseller’s table until 7:30 when the program starts.
The VCLR is open to the public. Members free, drop-ins $5, students $4.
According The Guardian, McDonalds UK have announced that they will be giving away NINE MILLION (yep, you read that right, NINE MILLION) books with Happy Meals. The partnership between HarperCollins UK and McDonalds is one way of reaching out to a population of families not inclined to cross the threshold of bookshops or libraries. While the food is not to my taste (I know I know, I’m not exactly the target audience for a Happy Meal), the books are of a high calibre. They’ve been penned by the former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo. According to Viv Bird of the National Booktrust, “This partnership with McDonald’s Happy Meals and HarperCollins sends a really powerful message that reading is for everyone.” And it’s just the kind of message needed.
Don’t worry if you’re not a Happy Meal type, you can buy the Mudpuddle Farm books at McDonalds minus the meal.
The Fault in Our Stars was released yesterday by author John Green and since he’s one of my fav young adult authors, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. To celebrate, he and his brother Hank (a musician,vlogger and fellow nerd) are touring from now until the end of January. The Puppy, Pumas and The Tour de Nerdfighting 2012 could be in a town near you soon, so check out the brothers’ vlog entry below for a map. And yes fellow west coasters, this time they’re coming to Vancouver!
An amazing number of bloggers are book fans, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise when the CYBILS were born (the first CYBILS Awards go back to 2006).
FYI, the 2011 CYBILS Finalists have been posted along with summaries and min-reviews. You can’t beat these folks for dedication and breadth of expertise, not to mention that they are all volunteers!
The brilliant and clearly publicity savvy George R. R. Martin has given us a New Year’s gift…an advance chapter of The Winds of Winter. One of these days (soon I hope…wishful thinking here people) this chapter will figure into book 6 in his A Song of Fire and Ice series, which I warn you is seriously addictive. I literally devoured A Dance With Dragons, book 5 in the series, after waiting five long years for Martin to complete it. Of course, it’s a bit of a tease, but so irresistible given that it is a chapter on one of his most intriguing characters, Theon Greyjoy whom I have loved, loathed, pitied, detested, and then began to respect anew. That’s the kind of author Martin is…one who knows how create not only rich characters that you are willing to follow over the course of many books, but also rich stories that are worth waiting years for.
It’s good to be back. Happy New Year to all of you bloggers and readers out there. I’m home again after a few glorious days spent with my friends on Galiano Island. Marci DeVicque is the most energetic woman I know. She’s an amazing gardener, raises sheep, chickens, rescues dogs, and is an extraordinary glass artist. It’s as much a treat to visit her garden as it is to see her gorgeous glass work. Here is the beautiful dragonfly gate that she designed.
Sharing meals, wine and walks with friends is such a lovely way to bring in the New Year. We went for lovely long walks every day. The only downside was that my little dog Ruby discovered otter poop on the walk we took just before coming home…boy did she smell bad in a “stinky rotting fish sort of way”! Three baths and a whole lot of baking soda later, she’s bearable to be around! So here’s a small gift to my readers, a taste of Galiano Island. Enjoy!
I love the Xmas season. I love catching up with people I haven’t seen since last year’s Xmas party. I love baking cookies with my kids (even though they’ve grown up). I love getting out those battered Xmas decorations that my kids made when they were little. I love that my neighbors drop by for a bit of holiday cheer. I love that people get into the spirit of generosity, especially when they volunteer the precious gift of time. So no matter what your beliefs, I want to wish all of you bloggers and blog readers out there the best of holiday seasons and a wonderful happy, healthy, and prosperous new year with loads of great reading to brighten the year ahead. Here’s a little holiday cheer from my house to yours.
Yep, it’s that time of the year again. The announcement of the 2012 winners of the Caldecott and Newbery Medal is mere days away. And, although these awards may not have as wide an appeal as film and television awards, the blogosphere, schools and libraries are all abuzz with excitement. Each year, thousands of kids get a kick out of choosing “Mock” Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners and comparing their favorites with those of the judges. In fact, The American Library Association has created a tool kit to help teachers and librarians ramp up the excitement, Newbery and Caldecott Mock Elections Tool Kit. It’s a little pricy, but invaluable for schools and libraries. What fun. For those of you who’d like a little help narrowing down the contenders, you could hardly do better than Betsy Bird’s predictions over at A Fuse #8 Production. Personally, I can’t wait til Monday when the winners of these and some other sixteen awards will be announced because I just know that I’ll have a whole lot of great books to put into my ‘to read’ pile.
According The Guardian, McDonalds UK have announced that they will be giving away 
The Fault in Our Stars was released yesterday by author John Green and since he’s one of my fav young adult authors, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. To celebrate, he and his brother Hank (a musician,vlogger and fellow nerd) are touring from now until the end of January. The Puppy, Pumas and The Tour de Nerdfighting 2012 could be in a town near you soon, so check out the brothers’ vlog entry below for a map. And yes fellow west coasters, this time they’re coming to Vancouver!
An amazing number of bloggers are book fans, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise when the CYBILS were born (the first CYBILS Awards go back to 2006).
The brilliant and clearly publicity savvy George R. R. Martin has given us a New Year’s gift…an advance chapter of 
Sheryl McFarlane 