More stuff I’m up to.  This time, it’s all about the Aiken:
610 West 112th Street, New York, NY 10025
www.bankstreetbooks.com
For Immediate Release
CELEBRATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE AND THE LIFE AND WORK OF AUTHOR JOAN AIKEN
October 15, 2012, New York City–Lizza Aiken will appear at Bank Street in two October events celebrating [...]

Because it’s never too early to start with the drooling.
Knowing as I do that I should probably be working on my third Newbery/Caldecott prediction list, I’m temporary eschewing that bit of fun to mention some of the titles that I am both seeing and hoping to see in the coming 2013 season.  There’s a whole [...]

I moderate a fair number of panels in a given year, but I really think this one looks like one of the best.  It’s coming to you via the New York Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association, Inc.  Observe and sign up to attend here:
The Making of a Young Adult Bestseller:
From Acquisition to Reader
Wednesday, [...]

In brief – I was a matron of honor at my sister’s wedding and then, after I returned to New York, I met J.K. Rowling.
You want proof?

Fuzzy lady with brown hair on the left is me.  Fuzzy lady with the blond hair on the right is Ms. Rowling.  And so you may have to forgive [...]

When asked to cite the most popular up-and-coming trend in books for children and teens my answer for 2012 is always the same: Keep an eye on the twins and clones.  Walk into any children’s room this year, throw a dart, and you’ll hit about twenty new books for kids that feature boy/girl twins, girl/girl [...]

Who says you need to be Ed Emerley to make fingerprints dance?  A canny bit of book promotion, this title is out this year but I certainly hadn’t heard of it until now (Laurence King Publishers, anyone?).  Now I’ll need to see it for myself.  It’s Let’s Make Some Great Fingerprint Art by Marion Deuchars.  [...]

In that alternate universe where I am independently wealthy and spend all my days reporting on children’s literature (isn’t that what you would do if you were independently wealthy?) I spend certain days of the year traveling to different children’s rooms in libraries throughout the country to check out their original art by fantastic children’s [...]

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar!
Edited by J. Patrick Lewis
National Geographic
$24.95
ISBN: 978-1-4263-1009-6
Ages 7-12
On shelves now
Animals make for good poetry. That’s just common sense. When humans get misty eyed and start thinking their great grand thoughts, they tend to be inspired by some form [...]

My standards are pretty low when it comes to conferences.  Essentially if ursine consumption does not occur, I consider the day a success.  Fortunately there are other ways of defining success, and though I was the organizer and therefore not wholly without my own prejudices, everything went well.  Amazingly, surprisingly, some might say shockingly, well.
In [...]

Congrats to Jane on the honor!
Jane Yolen will be giving the prestigious Andrew Lang Lecture at St Andrews University on November 1, at 5.30 p.m., the venue;  Lower College Hall, St Salvator’s College, University of St Andrews. It is open to the public. Her topic is; “Folklore versus Fakelore: An Imagined Conversation [...]

Let’s start off with the me stuff since it’s quick.  First and foremost, if you’ve thought to yourself, “Boy, I’d really like to watch Betsy talk about the Core Curriculum and then mention all the 2012 nonfiction books for kids she really likes and why they stand out,” you are in SUCH luck.  The Highlights [...]

Hi folks!
Just a quick apology for the somewhat spaced out blog posts.  As it happens the combination of KidLitCon and the edits on my Candlewick book that are due in early November are making me a spotty blogger.  I shall continue to blog unabated, fear not!  Just forgive me if I’m not the daily producer [...]

All the Wrong Questions: “Who Could That Be at This Hour?”
By Lemony Snicket
Illustrated by Seth
Little, Brown and Company
$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-316-12308-2
Ages 9-12
On shelves October 24th
Last year I was running a bookgroup for kids, ages 9-12, when the subject of children’s books adapted into films came up. We talked about the relative success of Harry [...]

To be perfectly honest I can’t be impartial about today’s news.  I love every person mentioned in this news article.  This is good good news for everybody everywhere.  I am very proud of Bank Street today.
September 20, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [...]

So I’ve finally gotten around to reading Crow by Barbara Wright.  It only took me a good nine months to do so but with the award season coming up I’m trying to give a good look to all the serious contenders (Bomb, I’m gunning for you next).   Why the long delay?  Well, sad as it [...]