THE LIBRARIAN EGO Children’s librarian (and occasional book review song collaborator) Hi Miss Julie had folks talking with her post about fame in the library world. Plenty to consider here. http://himissjulie.com/2013/01/13/ego-thy-name-is-librarianship/ JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH VS. SCIENCE You think 501 seagulls could lift a house-sized peach? Try way, way more. Finally scientists are doing [...]
Watch the 2013 Newbery and Caldecott Awards Live!
By on January 15, 2013
The biggest morning in children’s literature is nigh. In a scant two weeks (Monday, January 28th @ 8:00am PT) the Youth Media awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott medals, will be handed out in Seattle the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting. For the second time ever, I’ll be in the room (this was the first [...]
Nonfiction Monday: Hoop Genius by John Coy
By on January 13, 2013
The Nonfiction Monday round-up is right here (see below). If you’d like to be included, share a link in the comments. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball By John Coy Illustrated by Joe Morse Carolrhoda Books (Lerner) ISBN: 9780761366171 $16.95 Grades 1-4 In Stores March 1, 2013 Find [...]
Nonfiction Monday is Coming…
By on January 11, 2013
In a mere three days, the weekly fact explosion known as the Nonfiction Monday roundup will land at 100 Scope Notes. Hope to see you then.
Cover Curiosity: Playing the Field
By on January 11, 2013
Sometimes with Cover Curiosities we have two jackets that look very similar. Other times it’s more of a general trend. Today is the latter. Look out socks, relaxing on the lawn is gaining steam. Take a look at the recent evidence collected: The Center of Everything by Linda Urban After Eli by Rebecca Rupp Criss [...]
Review: Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci
By on January 10, 2013
Odd Duck By Cecil Castellucci Illustrated by Sara Varon First Second Books ISBN: 9781596435575 $15.99 Grades 2-5 In Stores May 14, 2013 *Best New Book* Find it at: Schuler Books | Your Library I have this friend with whom I have almost nothing in common. Name a belief system – political, religious – we are [...]
Morning Notes: Alliteration Madness
By on January 9, 2013
FROM THE ILLUSTRATOR OF ‘WILL YOU MARRY ME’… Jumbotron: predictable. In an exercise in patience (and awesomeness), illustrator Sam Zupparti proposed to his girlfriend in the most unexpected way – in the pages of his debut picture book. Click here to read. (Thanks to Publishers Weekly for the link) SERIES STRESS To add a number [...]
2013 Mock Caldecott Results
By on January 8, 2013
It started with two schools, 16 of the best picture books of the year, and around 200 eager second-grade students. And a RAV4 (for me to ship books between schools). Over the course of 5 weeks students read all of the candidates and voted on their favorites, based on a simplified version of the Caldecott [...]
Books on Film: An Illustrated Interview with Maurice Sendak
By on January 8, 2013
In 2011 Illustrator Christoph Niemann (Subway, That’s How!) happened upon Terri Gross’s interview with Maurice Sendak. The children’s lit legend was in a rare mood, discussing his thoughts on life and death. It was a touching interview that had an affect on Niemann, who decided to illustrate the experience. (Thanks to the School Library Journal tumblr [...]
Nonfiction Monday: My First Day by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
By on January 7, 2013
My First Day: What Animals Do on Day One By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page Illustrated by Steve Jenkins Houghton Mifflin ISBN: 9780547738512 $16.99 Grades K-2 In Stores Jan 8, 2013 Find it at: Schuler Books | Your Library The capabilities of newborn animals are, for the most part, a mystery. While you can’t walk [...]
And the Winner of the Top 20 Books of 2012 Is…
By on January 6, 2013
Fellow school librarian John Schumacher and I decided to give away each and every one of our Top 20 Books of 2012. The entries came in, the deadline passed, and I fired up the True Random Number Generator to do the picking… Which means the winner is… @momski98 Look out, momski98 – 20 books coming [...]
Reviewing Notes: Debut YA Cover
By on January 4, 2013
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Create Your Debut YA Cover Click here to view the Create Your Debut YA Cover gallery. Usually I don’t do YA, but… A [...]
Reviewing Notes: Caldecott Frankenstein
By on January 2, 2013
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Creating the Caldecott Frankenstein Creating an exceptional work of children’s literature is as far from a scientific endeavor as you can get. If [...]
Reviewing Notes: Treasure Island
By on January 1, 2013
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Unfortunate Covers (#11) Sometimes a cover doesn’t match the tone of the book it’s wrapped around. Such is the case of our most [...]
Reviewing Notes: Things Librarians Fancy
By on December 31, 2012
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Things Librarians Fancy Ever wanted to delve into the unexplored world of librarian culture? If you just said “no”, I can’t hear you. [...]
Reviewing Notes: ‘All Picture Books to be 80s Film Adaptations’
By on December 27, 2012
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Children’s Lit Commish: ‘All Picture Books to be 80s Film Adaptations’ The following is a work of fiction. In a shocking move, the [...]
Reviewing Notes: Children’s Literature Movie Generator
By on December 26, 2012
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Create Your Own Children’s Book Movie Headline! I’m no math whiz, but lately it seems children’s books are being adapted for the silver [...]
Merry Christmas!
By on December 25, 2012
Reviewing Notes: Books in the Year 3001
By on December 24, 2012
Happy holidays! The blog will be back up and running on January 7. Until then, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite posts from the 100 Scope Notes archives. Books in the Year 3001 What will the future hold for books? Let’s turn the clock forward, to the year 3001: The Newbery, [...]
2013 Caldecott Medal Predictions
By on December 21, 2012
Last year, my Caldecott prediction batting average was .500. Given the unpredictability of this award, I should probably give up after that. Call it a prediction career. Hang up my keyboard. But it’s no fun to stand idly by when there are guesses to be thrown about. Here are my picks for 2013 Caldecott glory. [...]
