You might think, if you know me from reading Pink Me, that I am a children's or teen librarian. I'm not - at my system we are all generalists. So while I love fixing kids up with great books, the fact is I also enjoy helping grownups. I spend most of my time drumming up copies of just the right David Baldacci, or helping readers find Amish romance novels and car repair manuals.
Which, um... Amish romance novels? Right. I'm going to need a finding aid for that.
Continue reading "Tools of the trade - Two books that are making me better at the things I do" »
. 
, the second in 
. This author speaks so clearly to me that I can't tell how he sounds to other people. I can't be objective while I'm giggling out my nose. Luckily, I have a couple of clear-eyed readers in my house who can be relied upon to give you the what when I can't. Here's Milo:
. "With bigger eyebrows!" yells 
. "What is that sweater about?" snipes 
. 
and half those characters are named after classical gods and heroes (my children are so much more highbrow that I am right now, it's embarrassing).
was about accepting and appreciating Dwight and his weirdness, and 
was about accepting - while not exactly appreciating - Harvey's oblivious jerkiness, each book also has seen the kids gradually gaining consciousness of how their actions affect other people. In other words, Tommy, Sara, Kellen, and their friends are developing - naturally, spasmodically, at different paces (the girls are quicker) - the emotional intelligence of teens. And listen, if you think teens have no emotional intelligence, try spending time with a bunch of 5th graders. 
by Rob Reid), plus I'm by myself in the house, my whole entire family being out of town, and I'm working the evening shift. So I feel a little unreal.
, and we all cried our eyes out. Amazing graphic novel memoir. And I don't know about other people in my industry, but I figured, given the acclaim Stitches garnered, David Small would then by and large quit illustrating picture books.
taught me to look at all the stuff inside the pictures; 
, with its expanding and contracting picture area, taught me to look at the page as a whole; and his illustrations for the 
books showed me that animal characters need not be cartoonish or unrealistic to be endearing. 
), are familiar names in children’s publishing; others, like the talented 
, which is not a good example of her sweet and funny style) and 
), are relative newcomers.
, I have officially read all of the contenders in School Library Journal's 
stories - this is Weetzie before she becomes fully Weetzified: not yet blonde, only partially sparkly, showing barely a hint of the wistful siren to come. With some of the glitter swept away, the emphasis is on Louise's feelings and encounters, which have always been well-written, but can be overshadowed by the feathered, flowing, Mod Podge fabric of Weetzie's later life. Heartbroken, teased, neglected, and possibly hexed, Louise begins to learn about risks that are worth taking and people who are worth cherishing. She is a peaceful child who, when faced with cruelty and loss, develops into a young woman who is pliant but not wimpy, strong but not aggressive.
versus the magic-tinged 
, for example. It might also be the only place you'll see the sincere, informative 
go up against the heartfelt-but-in-a-very-different-way 
.
! I loved that!"
and 
- I have bought those books, I have gifted those books, and I have recommended those books. They make good baby shower gifts, among other things. I mean, as well as being informative and inspiring. I thought there was probably not one more serene natural subject worthy of Ms. Long's well-researched scrutiny and 
and 
and Laurence Pringle's 
in your school or classroom library and you thought you were done, well, better make a little room on the shelf. And give your kids sketchbooks and some colored pencils - they're going to want to go outside and draw something.
crossing the finish line with a half-ton of wild but gifted racehorse under her butt. That face - you just know it - is going to get in soooo much trouble in about fifteen seconds, but for now, that is the face of scientific validation.
. What I think about that book was expressed quite soundly - and strongly - by 
when she wrote 
, but she wove the older book firmly into the narrative. I don't know anybody who finished that book and didn't at least consider re-reading Madeleine L'Engle's classic. If there's bookshelf in a picture book, I always squint to see what titles the illustrator has drawn.
, and that kid's finest moment was when he defended himself from a mindless cannibal attacker using his copy of 
as a weapon. That's a great little glimpse into Charlie Higson's head. 
, is one of my favorite shortcuts
/
and 
!), but mostly I would sneak books off my parents' shelves. I read 
and 
. I read 
at about age ten. (BO-RING!)
gave me nightmares for years - decades! So along comes 
, 
) to fix this flaw.
and 
and 
delight kids and adults who enjoy cause-and-effect, who dream of a better mousetrap, who can't see a stream of water in a gutter without building a tiny dam.
