Children’s literature author and illustrators visit Sandy Hook Elementary School; attendees gather in New York City for Book^2 Camp.
Pictures of the Week: Kid Lit Authors, Illustrators at Sandy Hook; Book^2 Camp Conference
By on February 15, 2013 Leave a Comment
John Green to ‘Hangout’ with Obama
By on February 13, 2013 Leave a Comment
On Thursday, February 14 at 4:50 p.m. EST, popular young adult author John Green will participate in a Google+ “fireside” Hangout with President Obama, following up on the State of the Union address to Congress.
Kid Lit Authors, Illustrators Visit Sandy Hook Elementary School
By on February 13, 2013 4 Comments
The children of the Sandy Hook Elementary School were visited by 12 children’s authors and illustrators on Tuesday, the school’s first assembly in its new building following the December 14, 2012 shooting that took the lives of 26 children and staff at the school.
Pictures of the Week: Random House Authors; The 14th Annual Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators Conference
By on February 8, 2013 Leave a Comment
Random House authors N.D. Wilson, Jeanne Birdsall, and Rebecca Stead have lunch with librarians to discuss writing for middle school students; Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall attend the 14th Annual Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference in NYC.
Hank and John Green: Using Their Powers for Good
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Anyone who works with teens should know about and embrace Hank and John Green. You can get to know the siblings through the VlogBrothers, a YouTube channel where Hank and John trade video conversations back and forth on every topic under the sun. This vlog inspired a host of followers christened Nerdfighters, not because they fight nerds, but because they are nerds who endeavor to be awesome.
Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
All things Seuss were in the air Monday at the 42nd branch of the New York Public Library as Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises launched its “Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!” campaign, a yearlong celebration of the famed children’s book author.
Old-time Gals with Gumption | The Picture Books of Shana Corey
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Shana Corey’s picture-book biographies feature little-known women with buckets of gumption.
Kid Lit Authors, Illustrators Gather in New York for SCBWI Conference
By on February 4, 2013 1 Comment
The ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City was glittering with the stars of the world of children’s literature this weekend as they gathered for the 14th Annual Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference.
Storyteller and author Diane Wolkstein dies at 70
By on February 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Acclaimed storyteller, folklorist, and author Diane Wolkstein died on January 31 following emergency heart surgery while traveling in Taiwan. She was 70. Wolkstein’s talent as a storyteller and teacher of storytelling won her international fame; she also wrote more than 20 books, taught mythology at NYU, and hosted a storytelling show on NYC public radio.
Author Julie Kagawa Signs Major Multibook Deal for Harlequin Teen
By on February 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Harlequin has announced the signing of New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Julie Kagawa to a major multibook deal for a new series (her third for Harlequin Teen), which will feature mythical creatures in a contemporary setting. Natashya Wilson, Harlequin Teen’s executive editor, secured world rights and will edit the series. Laurie McLean, a senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents, brokered the deal.
YMA Medalists Applegate, Klassen Say Librarians Are Marketing Mavens
By on February 1, 2013 Leave a Comment
As School Library Journal caught up with Newbery and Caldecott Medalists Katherine Applegate and Jon Klassen this week, a common theme emerged in our talks. In what surely comes as no surprise to SLJ’s readers, both authors credited the library community for helping to champion their books to a wide circle of readers.
Between Violence and Tenderness: Aristotle and Dante Author Sáenz Talks to SLJ
By on January 31, 2013 1 Comment
Monday was a very good day for Benjamin Alire Sáenz. His sensitive young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, was named for three Youth Media Awards, distinctions that left him both stunned and grateful. SLJ caught up with Sáenz for a revealing chat about his reaction to the YMA wins, his personal inspirations for the book, his writing process, and his next YA project.
*UPDATED* Applegate, Klassen Win Newbery, Caldecott Medals
By on January 28, 2013 4 Comments
The audience erupted in cheers Monday after Katherine Applegate was named the winner of the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan (HarperCollins), and Jon Klassen was awarded the Caldecott Medal for This Is Not My Hat (Candlewick) at the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards for 2012, which were announced during its annual Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, WA.
Jan Ormerod, Author/Illustrator, Dies at 66
By on January 25, 2013 Leave a Comment
Jan Ormerod, author and illustrator of many books for young children, died Wednesday in England. Ormerod began her kid-lit career more than 30 years ago after the birth of her first child; previously she taught art and design. Her first book, Sunshine, won the 1982 Mother Goose Award for British kid lit and was named the Australian Picture Book of the Year and an ALA Notable Book.
Caldecott Honoree Antonio Frasconi dies at 93
By on January 23, 2013 1 Comment
Antonio Frasconi, the award-winning illustrator best known for his woodcuts, died on January 8 at age 93. Among his notable contributions to children’s literature are his bilingual picture books The House That Jack Built, a Caldecott Honor Book, and The Snow and the Sun, an ALA Notable Book.
Magical Realism and Epic Cake Baking: An Interview with Lisa Graff
By on January 21, 2013 1 Comment
Lisa Graff’s sixth middle school novel, A Tangle of Knots, which debuts next month, incorporates an unusual feature: a range of carefully selected cake recipes that help illuminate the various traits of its key characters. School Library Journal spoke with Graff about this unique idea, the baking skills she honed for months while writing the book, and what’s next on her to-do list.
Pictures of the Week: John Green Fans Outside Carnegie Hall for an Evening of Awesome
By on January 18, 2013 Leave a Comment
Fans outside of Carnegie Hall display their loot from John and Hank Green’s An Evening of Awesome.
Gerald McDermott: A Legacy of Magical Storytelling
By on January 17, 2013 3 Comments
Gerald McDermott, award-winning author, illustrator, and filmmaker who died on December 26 at age 71, will be fondly remembered for his unique style of vibrant, visual storytelling, which has inspired and engaged generations of kids. Highlights of McDermott’s career, which spanned a 49-year period, include a Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honor books, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.
‘Nerdfighters’ Sell Out Carnegie Hall to See John and Hank Green Plus Special Guests
By on January 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
New York City’s Carnegie Hall hosted bestselling YA author John Green and his brother Hank this week at “An Evening of Awesome,” a special performance to a sold-out crowd. The event, which featured numerous special guests and a surprise appearance by Neil Gaiman, was lived-streamed through a special partnership with Tumblr.
Photos: John and Hank Green: An Evening of Awesome
By on January 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
Author John Green, brother Hank Green, and special guests the Mountain Goats celebrated the anniversary of The Fault in Our Stars (Dutton, 2012) with an evening at Carnegie Hall.
