ALA Award for Kami and the Yaks

The American Library Association awards were announced yesterday and today I'm posting winning titles by small or independent publishers.

The debut book by Bay Otter Press, Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Stryer and illustrated by Bert Dodson, won the Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. (ages 0-10)

A beautifully designed and illustrated book, Kami and the Yaks tells the story of a young Sherpa boy who braves a storm and communicates (because he is deaf) with his father that little "White Spot" is injured on the mountain. A rescue ensues and, "Kami proudly led the yaks, his father, and his brother down the mountain." A timely win with the death of Sir Edmond Hillary bringing recent attention to the region.

What is so great about Andrea Stenn Stryer's book is her dedication to the project evidenced by the curriculum she designed for teachers and parents. A lovely book!


The Cat: Or, How I Lost Eternity by Jutta Richter, Rotraut Susanne Berner, and Anna Brailovsky, published by Milkweed Editions, originally published in German as Die Katze, won a Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Award for the most outstanding children's book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States. No luck getting this book from the library here. It is available in some Midwest libraries. I plan to find a copy soon, and if anyone has reviewed this book please post the link in the comments or email a review to nancy@beeskneesbooks.com.

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award for, The Secret Olivia Told Me, by N. Joy, illustrated by Nancy Devard, published by Just Us Books. CSU Fresno has this title in their library but that's too far to drive. I see I'll have to make a little investment in some new books.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers Honor Book, Hello, Bumblebee Bat, written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne and published by Charlesbridge. I believe Becky has this book about the endangered bumblebee bat of Thailand- maybe I'll get her opinion. Is it great?

The Pura Belpré Award honoring Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children's books Honor Book for Illustration My Colors, My World/Mis Colores, Mi Mundo, written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez and published by Children's Book Press. I should have this in my hands from the library in a couple of days.

The Pura Belpré Award Author Honor Book, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale, retold by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Michael Austin and published by Peachtree. Ah ha! a new rendition of this story- I can't wait!

2007 Best of ...Too

The best books of 2007 bookworm carnival at Reading With Becky is now up! Here are my two personal favorites for young children. One is a Cybils finalist in the picture book fiction category, Knuffle Bunny Too. And the other, Orange Pear Apple Bear, which didn't make the Cybils list but it won Reading is Fundamental's best of 2007 along with Knuffle Bunny Too.

Why wasn't Orange Pear Apple Bear a Cybils finalist? I'll bet it was a toss up between, Orange Pear Apple Bear and Leaves by David Ezra Stein. While Leaves is beautifully executed and, like a toddler, expresses the the innocence and bewilderment of falling leaves- changing seasons, the sentiment is reminiscent of Milne and Shepard's Winnie the Pooh.

Orange Pear Apple Bear is entirely different. Besides being a big fan of Emily Gravett, whose website is awesome and I linked to it in a previous post, she has created a brilliant book in it's simplicity. Toddlers immediately understand what this clever bear is doing with recognizable objects (fruit.) A thinking child's primer of shapes, color, sequence and WORDS. There is a great interview with Emily Gravett at Seven Impossibe Things Before Breakfast. I hope this book wins some awards!

Late Night Post

Everyone is asleep and I was clicking around financial blogs instead of finishing the dishes. One click leads to another and I'm back at an art blog watching Mariee Sioux. Her lyrical poetry on the track Burried in Teeth, reminded me of the impact books like, Julie of the Wolves, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Whale Rider or Sherman Alexie's writing have had on my psyche. The connection to nature, our bodies, myth and our ancestors is, like Lucky, the connection to ...our higher power. In my early adolescent angst I was Miyax, suffering, free, wild...
And now as I finish the dishes as everyone sleeps, I feel domesticated.

Interview With the Author Marilyn Kallet

My new favorite author, Marilyn Kallet has a wonderful children's book out called Jack the Healing Cat , illustrated by Sandra Van Winkle. My four year old son loves this book and there could be no better choice reading for fighting off our winter colds during the holiday break! Marilyn is the author of 14 books, including her latest, The Movable Nest: A Mother/Daughter Companion. I am a huge fan and decided to ask her a few questions for
inspiration...and what a Great Inspiration she is!

Please tell me a little about your childhood. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Are you a Tennessee native?

I was born in Montgomery, Alabama, my mother's home, and grew up in New York, where my fatherwas raised. There was always a mini Civil War in the house, and my mother never forgave him for the transplant.

Where did you go to college?

I did my undergraduate work at Tufts University and at the Sorbonne, and my graduate work at Rutgers in Comparative Literature.

What was your first published book?

My first book was poetry, DEVILS LIVE SO NEAR, from Ithaca House, 1971.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Anywhere and everywhere--I've written lots of love poems and poems about family history, but also about race and history, about the Holocaust and my family (many of the older generation were caught up in Germany. Jewish identity is an important subject for me. JACK THE HEALING CAT was a true story, about our beautiful tabby and his positive influence on our little family.

How many books have you written?

14 books.

Do you have a favorite among them?

I like my recent poetry book, CIRCE, AFTER HOURS, from BkMk Press. It has a wide range of subjects.

What was the book you most loved as a child?

My mother used to read me the UNCLE WIGGILY stories when I was really little. I craved them. As long as my mother was reading to me, she was still with me. When I got a bit older, I was addicted to the Nancy Drew stories. I liked the smart, active girl hero.

What would you say is the most fulfilling part about being a children's author?

The response of children to stories is nothing short of miraculous. One of my colleague's has a son who kisses the pages of the cat book.

What inspires you to write?

Everyday life. I just try to stay alert. I also write from dreams and teach a course on dreamwork.

How do you feel about the importance of small publishing companies?

They are tremendously important to writers and to the quality of literature in general. They open doors for writers that may lead to the larger companies and a wider readership. The little presses take chances on us; they produce handsome, well-crafted books in which we authors have a voice.

Do you think it's important to choose a good title for your books?

Titles are crucial! They are the first thing to grab an editor's attention--and then to draw in the reader.

Can you briefly describe your latest book?

My latest book is THE MOVABLE NEST: A MOTHER/DAUGHTER COMPANION, an anthology of mother-daughter writings.JACK THE HEALING CAT is also new, as you know--a book for ages 1-6, about a cat that teaches a family gentleness and involves mutual rescue.

What made you decide to use the art of Sandra Van Winkle for your book? Can you tell me more about her and her work?

Sandra came up to me in the Fresh Market in Knoxville and asked me if I had any projects that needed illustration. As it happened, my first illustrator had bombed on this project. So I said, "Yes!"

Are there any children's authors that you admire?

So many! Let me mention Jeff Daniel Marion's HELLO, CROW--from Orchard Books. It's a poem and a story, a model of spareness.

What tips/advice would you give to aspiring authors and illustrators?

For writers--take a workshop or join a writing group, to get good feedback on your work. Illustrators need mentors too--

Do you think writing communities are beneficial to writers?

I think they are crucial to our survival. Writing is a lonely task. We need dialogue, feedback, support.

Where can we go to read more about you and any new books you may have coming out in the future?

I have a website, http://www.marilynkallet.com/. Please keep me posted on your work as well. With huge thanks, Marilyn.

Why Publish Independently

Today's post is a little different then my usual posts because it's about a business model I'm working on. Why publish independently? Here are two good reasons: you are looking for an alternative to the slush pile, you are resourceful and committed to your book project. I recently received a quote from a friend which I feel is applicable for getting your first book out.

"Hell, there are no rules here- we're trying to accomplish something." - Thomas Edison

OK that may be a bit simplistic. I realize there is A LOT that goes into writing and illustrating for children, but we all get the sentiment. It's January 2008. What are you planning to accomplish this year? Last year I decided to launch a publishing collective with my sister specifically for picture book writers and illustrators as an alternative to many of the print on demand self-publishing companies out there who aren't that interested, beyond their profit, in publishing full-color children's books.

The traditional publishing route is optimal, but the wait and rejection letters are tiresome. How will you build your portfolio and polish your skills? Large publishing houses receive a landslide of query letters and manuscripts. Many of them no longer accept unsolicited work. I came across an interesting interview at Goading The Pen with Rita Mills, Competition Coordinator of ABC Book Competition, about why she started the competition. According to Rita, "When an average of three children’s picture books out of twelve thousand submissions sent to traditional publishers are actually published, I would say that constitutes a need."

I have to agree with Rita. By all means work with a literary agent and submit your writing to large publishing houses. (We like to provide a lot of those resources.) They have monetary clout. However, we need to create alternatives and with strategic planning, collaborative efforts and business savvy it is possible to publish and sell picture books successfully with a small independent publisher.

That doesn't necessarily mean you will strike gold, but it does mean that persistence and collaboration help level the playing field. If you need a little reminder about that 2008 get-your-book-published resolution, here are the words of the fabulous Dr. Seuss, from that most famous graduation gift, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

"Everyone is just waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting. NO! That's not for you!... So... be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"

Capricorn

We have after-the-storm clean up to do today. Literally, we had hurricane-like weather and were out of power nearly 24 hours. It has been cozy inside though, and I enjoyed writing a post over at Wizards Wireless about the Palo Alto Library.

This morning the sun is breaking through and I'm scanning my google reader. While reading the latest post at Wizards Wireless, I was prompted by the question, what are the names of the Mutts characters? I know that answer, Mooch and Earl, because my daughter received The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell for Christmas from my good friend Alison. This zen tale blew over my four-year-old, but I sure get it. I already have a snapped off Fairy Barbie leg to repair.

Next week is a reminder that I'm in the 40's club. What would I like besides a major lottery win? I'll take a cue from The Gift of Nothing and include this lovely poem previously archived from my friend Maria titled, Time Tested Beauty Tips.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Sam Levenson wrote this poem to his granddaughter.

Let me now share it with you all and give it to my darling daughters as a poem to keep in mind.

I found it in one of my favorite actress' biography - Audrey Hepburn - and I loved it.

To know more about this GREAT woman go to:

http://www.audreyhepburn.com/

Hans Christian Andersen

I just love Danny Kaye and posted this clip for our amusement. Check out the Hans Christian Andersen Center for some literary history. And as a quick follow up to JK's comment on my previous post about Garth Williams, I came across Leonard S. Marcus, Children's Book Historian, Author and Critic, and saw that Garth Williams is included in the exhibition catalogue titled, The Picture Book Made New: Margaret Wise Brown and Her Illustrators. That is helpful, but really he deserves a solo show. Perhaps we'll see one at The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature?

Marcus' co-curated exhibit, Children Should be Seen: The Image of the Child in American Picture-Book Art, and another upcoming exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum,Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes: The Art of Children's Books, are coming to CA!!!!!!
Happy 2008!