The Return of Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss passed away in 1991. Who would have thought we'd be graced by his special writing talents nearly 20 years later. As it turns out that is exactly what is happening. Random House has collected stories that Dr. Seuss published in magazines in 1950 and 1951. They have sine not seen the light of day. Now Random House is set to release this new collection as a wonderful new picture book. Although the tales are not technically new, they will be new to most of us. Check out the Random House press release below for more information.



http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/46659-random-uncovers-new-seuss-stories.html

Dare to Take the Challenge

What is the future of publishing? This is a question I often ask and I believe some publishing houses think they have found the answer.

We are not speaking about the end of paper. No, no, definitely not that. Publishing houses are beginning to see the synergy of creative media. Books are being created with interactive components so readers have to take an active part in discovering the story. Now HarperCollins is taking it to a new level. They just announced a partnership with imbee and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth to establish the imbee Film Challenge. Now you might be asking, "what is imbee?" It is a tween social network. Just think Facebook for tweens. To read the official press release click here.

It seems at least one new movie is released in theaters each month that is based on a tween, teen or young adult novel. This contest borrows from that enthusiasm and combines it with the eagerness of YouTube to really bring everything together for tween filmmakers. For this competition young creatives are asked to adapt selected excerpts from The Magnificent 12: The Call, the debut novel in Michael Grant’s middle-grade fantasy series from Katherine Tegen Books at HarperCollins. The Call was released in August, 2010. The next two installments are set to be released this summer and fall.

Visit the imbee Film Challenge website for more details.

Want to view "The Call" book trailer?

Bedtime for Bonzo Or Your Little Monkeys

We have a rather elaborate bedtime reading ritual in our house. We read a larger youth novel as a family, then we read picture books (sometimes the kids read them aloud), and we usually read bible stories as well. Bedtime stories can be anything, but some books lend themselves to sleepy times. Here are a couple quick reviews for sleepy bedtime stories.

“The Boy and the Moon”

By James Christopher Carroll

For Ages 4 - 8

This dreamy adventure features a boy on a moonlit night as he howls at the moon and dances about until the crescent moon becomes stuck in a tree. With a little ingenuity and bravery the boy climbs the tree and feeds the moon apple. Once it is full, the moon rolls out of the tree. The illustrations may not suit everyone's taste but the fantastical personified imagery of the moon coupled with the muted color palette and dreamy swirls make this poetic book a solid choice for bedtime. Rated: 3.5

What’s good: Fantasy, pacing and poetic adventure for bedtime.

What’s bad: Illustration style may not suit everyone's taste.

“Bedtime for Bear”

By Brett Helquist

For ages 2 - 8

There is nothing new in this hibernation tale. You’ve seen it before, but not quite the way Helquist manages to bring it to life. His lavish illustrations and visual storytelling are impeccable. Sprinkled with humor and action. readers will want to crawl into the pages and join the adventure. Alas, the fun has to come to an end as Helquist calls, “It’s Bedtime for Bears.” The illustrations alone make this one of the better hibernation tales around. Rated: 4
What’s good: Great illustrations and fun bedtime reading.

What’s bad: Cliché storyline.

Awards Season!

The finalists for the Children's Choice Book Awards have been announced. Below are a list of the nominated books for the kindergarten - second grade category. How many have you ready with your children? I am putting my money (figuratively speaking) on "Shark vs. Train." What do you think of these stories?

"Shark vs. Train"

By Chris Barton

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld 

Read the Review

Look Inside the Book!

"How Rocket Learned to Read"

By Tad Hills

Look Inside the Book!

"Little Pink Pup"

By Johanna Kerby

Read the Book Online!

"Hot Rod Hamster"

By Cynthia Lord

Illustrated by Derek Anderson
Look Inside the Book!

"Even Monsters Need Haircuts"

By Matthew McElligott

Look Inside the Book!

Into the Mind of a YA Novelist: 8 Questions with Sean Beaudoin

A few weeks ago I read a most entertaining young adult novel. It was a crime noir that would make Mickey Spillane jealous. Okay that may be an overstatement, but it was very good. Shortly after finishing You Killed Wesley Payne a publicists asked me if I would like to interview the author, Sean Beaudoin. Naturally I said yes. We arranged to handle the interview over the Internet and what follows is a glimpse into the mind of a talented author of young adult novels. We began with a easy question to get warmed up:

Chapter One: What books are you currently reading?

Beaudoin: Get in the Van by Henry Rollins, Letters to a Young
Contrarian by Christopher Hitchens, and Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis.

Chapter One: What was your favorite book as a teen?

Beaudoin: I loved the Narnia books, A Wrinkle in Time, and Where The Red Fern Grows when I was younger. As an older teen, I read every Kurt Vonnegut I could get my hands on. Which was pretty much all of them, since we had a good library. I also was a big fan of Dune by Frank Herbert, The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll, as well as the books of Anthony Burgess, Don Delillo and Martin Amis.

So that gives us an idea of where Beaudoin's brain is. He's not just a good creative writer he's also well read. This is a quality you'll find in most good writers. Now that we've gotten that taken care of let's get into the meat of the interview.

Chapter One: Sean, what inspired you to become a writer of teen and young adult books?

Beaudoin: Pretty much because it's the last thing every single person I know ever expected. Actually, that's not true. It's because I think what is being published in YA is far more interesting and open than most of what passes for commercial literary fiction these days. Because there are no constraints. Because when I get a letter from someone who says my book helped them survive junior year, I feel exponentially better than I do standing around at fern parties. Because I stopped trying to write any particular genre of novel, and just write what I would have anyway, and let the marketers figure it out. Because there is a huge market of truly avid and enthusiastic readers, both teens and adults, that devour YA novels, and their genuine interest not only refutes the free floating cynicism endemic to our culture, but makes me feel that what I'm writing has real meaning.

I've been telling people for years about the quality in young adult novels. Many YA novels are better than much of the dribble being passed off as good literature for adults these days. I'm glad to find a writer who also sees the quality out there and is not afraid to write it.

Chapter One: What was the inspiration behind You Killed Wesley Payne?

Beaudoin: Jazz, the French New Wave, a solid left hook, a woman in high heels, a man who looks good in a hat, racing a car around a tight corner at ridiculous speeds, loot, greed, the dark flash of inhumanity in a too-perfect smile.

Chapter One: With all of the disturbing scenes of teen bullying and violence on the news and YouTube these days, how do you justify the violent nature of the storyline in your teen novel, You Killed Wesley Payne?

Beaudoin: I don’t feel the need to justify it at all. It’s a novel. A novel can be a mirror of unpleasant  behaviors that forces us to think about them a little bit differently, or it can glorify them in a way that seems cynical or profit-minded. I think it’s up to readers to decide if any given book has a point to make, and what the value of that point might be. In any case, I’m not sure there’s a way to write a detective story, even with a teen protagonist, without at least some of the implied violence of the genre, unless it's a complete neuter.

Chapter One: What do you want teens to take away from You Killed Wesley Payne?

Beaudoin: Pretty much whatever they feel like carrying. I’m equal opportunity on the idea front. Hopefully I’ve written something that is nuanced enough that multiple interpretations and competing revelations are possible. But, as with all my books, basically it’s this: don’t be a tool.

Chapter One: Do you see You Killed Wesley Payne spawning a series of Dalton Rev mysteries?
Beaudoin: I think YKWP is definitely set up nicely for a sequel. Even a franchise. But I’m not sure I want to write them. I may farm them out, like James Frey does. It’s possible Pitticus Lore is available.

Still on the fence about reading You Killed Wesley Payne? See if this preview makes a difference. Or skip down to catch the end of the interview.

 

For a full review, visit http://chapteronereviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/every-cross-is-doubled.html

Chapter One: Are you currently working on a new book? If so, can you give any sneak peek details?
Beaudoin: Sure. Actually, my next book is already done. It’s called Wise Young Truck and is the most straightforward thing I’ve ever written. It’s sort of a band tour diary. It’s the book that everyone who hated my other books will love, as well as being the book that everyone who loved my other books will love even more. I think.

I hope you enjoyed this time with Sean Beaudoin. I want to thank him for taking the time to participate in this interview. Hopefully he'll be up for another one in the future. I also need to thank Angelo Gianni at Blog Reach Solutions for setting everything up.

Love and Friendship

One more book about love and friendship before I entertain you with something completely different. I recently had the opportunity to ask Sean Beaudoin, author of "You killed Wesley Payne" a few questions, but you'll have to come back later this week find out what he had to say. Of course you could follow my blog and receive notices whenever I post something new.That is for another day. This is for today. 

“Sweet Treats and Secret Crushes”

By Lisa Greenwald

For Ages 11 – 14

Like a slumber party gone haywire, three girls talk about friendship and love; and poke their noses into everyone's lives as well. This fast-paced preteen novel contains realistic angst, teen relationships, dialogue and well-formed characters. But don’t worry; moms can feel confident suggesting this book to their daughters. Rated 4 (teen angst, relationships, Valentine's Day)

Three friends are snowed in at their Brooklyn Apartment building on Valentine’s Day. In an effort to salvage the day, and maybe spread a little love in the process, they decide to make homemade fortune cookies and deliver them to their neighbors. It sounds like a good idea, but things don’t always go as smoothly as the girls would like. With their distinct personalities, the friends tend to rub each other the wrong way. They discover secrets that each other have been keeping and the relationships face a real threat.

Greenwald successfully alternates the narrative between each girl and genuinely expresses their distinct personalities, giving the reader a unique insight into the preteen psyche. We see varying perspectives on the events set in motion by the prescient fortunes that the girls create. In the end the girls weather the storm and grow closer. So too do the neighbors in their apartment building who enjoy the tasty fortune cookies.

One Cool Kitty

So this Christmas we got a couple kittens. I know I said the next couple posts would be themed to love, and they are. This one just happens to be for lovers of cats.

“I Don’t Want a Cool Cat”

By Emma Dodd

For Ages 3 – 6

Cat lovers and will enjoy this fun romp through crazy rhyming feline attributes. Those who don't like cats may enjoy it too, as a young girl searches for the perfect cat to be her pet. Rated 3.5 (rhyming verse, cats, humor)

Greedy cats, stuffy cats, and treat-me-like-a-fool cats are all represented here as a young girl looks for the one cat she can call her own. She doesn’t want just any teeny cat, she wants the right cat – one that she can love and will love her in return.

Families with cats in the household will enjoy this fun and playful tale. The will have no trouble seeing their cat spelled out on the books pages. The strong rhyming text makes for a good read-aloud story for young readers still working on sounds and rhythm. The bright and energetic illustrations will keep their attention with bright colors and humor. “I Don’t Want a Cool Cat” is the purrfect gift for cat lovers.