MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Events for Children´s Librarians
BUD, NOT BUDDY AND JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT WIN TOP BOOK AWARDS
On Monday, January 17, 2000, which was also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Newbery and Caldecott Awards were announced at the Midwinter meeting of the American Library Association in San Antonio, Texas. The Newbery Medal was awarded to Christopher Paul Curtis for Bud, Not Buddy, the story of an African-American orphan on a journey to find his father, set during the Great Depression. For the first time ever, the Newbery winner was also named the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award (Author). Curtis´s first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, was named a Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honor book in 1996; Bud, Not Buddy is his second book.
Similarly, this year´s Caldecott Medalist Simms Taback was named a Caldecott Honor winner for I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly in 1997. This year he won for his illustrations of Joseph Had A Little Overcoat, which Taback also wrote, based on the popular Yiddish story/song.
A complete list of all the children´s book award winners and honors are listed on page [4] of this issue of BayNews, complete with ISBNs for easy ordering. A list is also available at the ALA website www.ala.org.
ILLUSTRATOR LEONARD WEISGARD DIES AT AGE 84
Caldecott Medalist Leonard Weisgard died at age 84 on January 14, 2000 at his home in Denmark. Weisgard, a frequent collaborator with Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated nearly 200 children´s books. Born in Connecticut in 1916, he received the Caldecott Medal in 1947 for The Little Island, which was written by Brown under the pseudonym Golden MacDonald; that same year he was also named a Caldecott Honor illustrator for Alvin Tresselt´s Rain Drop Splash.
Molly Bang named Zolotow Award Winner by CCBC
The third annual Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picture book will be given to Molly Bang for When Sophie Gets Angry - Really Really Angry, (Blue Sky/Scholastic, 1999) which Bang also illustrated. The award will be presented on September 27, 2000 by the Cooperative Children´s Book Center, a library of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bang´s tale of an angry preschooler dealing with her feelings was also named a Caldecott Honor book.
The CCBC also named two Zolotow Honor books: Bark, George (HarperCollins, 1999), written and illustrated by Jules Feiffer, and Three Cheers for Catherine the Great (Melanie Kroupa/DK Ink, 1999), written by Cari Best, with illustrations by Giselle Potter.
The Zolotow Award was established in 1998, and is named after Charlotte Zolotow, a children´s book editor and author who worked for 38 years at Harper´s and is an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The awards committee also cited seven titles from 1999 as highly recommended: Flicker Flash by Joan Bransfield Graham (Houghton Mifflin), The Hatseller and the Monkeys by Baba Wague Diakite (Scholastic), How To Catch An Elephant by Amy Schwartz (DK Ink), Little Dog Poems by Kristine O´Connell George (Clarion), Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha (HarperCollins), When Will Sarah Come? by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard (Greenwillow), and You Are My Perfect Baby by Joyce Carol Thomas (Harper Growing Tree).
Mattel Wins Rights to "Harry Potter" Toys
Mattel Inc., world-famous toymaker and home of the Barbie doll, has won the rights to manufacture toys based on the Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling and published in the United States by Scholastic.
The Harry Potter dolls, games, magic wands, and other toys, including high-tech toys, are expected to be available this Fall. Warner Brothers has also made a licensing deal with Mattel. Warners is currently in preproduction for a Harry Potter live action feature film.
GINGERBREAD BOY STORIES
"Run, Run, As Fast As You Can" to these Gingerbread Boy picture book variations. Thanks to PUBYAC listserv member Carol Chatfield for this list:
Adams, Pam. GINGERBREAD MAN, Child´s Play, 1989.
Amoss, Berthe. THE CAJUN GINGERBREAD BOY, MTC Press, 1999.
Armour, Peter. STOP THAT PICKLE, Houghton Mifflin, 1993.
Aylesworth, Jim. THE GINGERBREAD MAN, Scholastic, 1998.
Baumgastner, Barbara. THE GINGERBREAD MAN, DK, 1998.
Brett, Jan. THE GINGERBREAD BABY, Putnam, 1999.
Brown, Marcia. THE BUN, HBJ, 1972.
Cauley, Lorinda. THE PANCAKE BOY, Putnam, 1988.
Cook, Scott. THE GINGERBREAD BOY, Dragonfly, 1998.
Egielski, Richard. THE GINGERBREAD BOY, HarperCollins, 1997.
Esterl, Arnica. THE FINE, ROUND CAKE, Four Winds, 1991.
Ginsburg, Mirra. THE CLAY BOY, Greenwillow, 1997.
Holdsworth, William. THE GINGERBREAD BOY, FSG, 1968.
Ireson, Barbara. THE GINGERBREAD BOY, Norton, 1965.
Jacobs, John. JOHNNY CAKE. various.
Jarrell, Randall. GINGERBREAD RABBIT, HarperCollins, 1996.
Kimmel, Eric. THE GINGERBREAD MAN, Holiday House, 1993.
Lobel, Anita. THE PANCAKE, Greenwillow, 1978.
Pomerantz, Charlotte. WHIFF, SNIFF, NIBBLE, AND CHEW, Greenwillow, 1984.
Rowe, John. THE GINGERBREAD MAN, North South Books, 1998.
Ruth Sawyer. JOURNEY CAKE , HO! Viking, 1953.
Schmidt, Karen. THE GINGERBREAD MAN, Scholastic 1986.
Tews, Susan. THE GINGERBREAD DOLL, Clarion, 1993.
VanWoerkom., Dorothy. THE QUEEN WHO COULDN´T BAKE GINGERBREAD, Knopf, 1975.
Ziefert, Harriet. THE GINGERBREAD BOY, (easy reader), Puffin, 1995.
Books of Interest to Children´s Librarians
Dr.Seuss Goes To War: The World War II Editorial Cartoons of Theodor Seuss Geisel, edited by Richard H. Minear, introduction by Art Spiegelman, The New Press, 1999. $25.00, ISBN 1-56584-565-X.
In this interesting and attractively designed book, the World War II political cartoons by Dr. Seuss are reproduced and examined. Anyone who is interested in 20th Century history and politics will enjoy this book, and children´s librarians will get a new appreciation for the commericially successful but often under-respected Seuss.
The book jacket, in a rich cream color, features a political cartoon with a a caricature of Hitler. There is an entire chapter on Seuss´s treatment of Hitler; he condemns him early on (pre-Pearl Harbor) for Hitler´s anti-Jewish speeches. A third generation Lutheran German-American, Seuss was prescient in one cartoon from July 1942, showing Hitler in a "forest" of lynched bodies marked "Jew" (page 100), a few years before Hitler´s extermination plan was widespread knowledge.
The square shape of the book perfectly displays the political cartoons, reproduced in their original size. The spritely written text, by Univ. of Mass., Amherst professor Richard H. Minear, is set in two columns per page. He helpfully points out lesser known political figures featured in Seuss´s cartoons, such as Nazi collaborator Pierre Laval of France. Minear begins with a concise description of PM magazine, the original source for these cartoons, which was a pro-FDR weekly. Seuss´s first cartoons lambasted Charles Lindbergh and other America Firsters (isolationists), then moved into mocking Fascists, Japan, and those on the homefront who were not supportive of the war effort.
One of the best passages deals with the irony of Seuss´s anti-racism cartoons, which promoted equally for African-Americans and Jewish-Americans in the United States., with his stereotypical depiction of the enemy Japan. Instead of a caricature of a certain Japanese leader, the enemy is always referred to as "Japan," featuring a man with buck teeth, slanted eyes shown behind thick glasses, and sometimes speaking (in cartoon captions) in pidgin English.
As Minear points out and most children´s librarians will observe, there are many instances in the political cartoons of creatures who will later turn up in Seuss´s children´s books. These include birds and fish that are often found in his books, as well as the turtles which will later be seen in Seuss´s allegory on Hitler, Yertle the Turtle, Random House, 1958. It would have been interesting to hear the professor´s analysis of Seuss´s anti-Nixon story Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!, Random House, 1972, or Seuss´s pro-individuality feature film, "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T," 1953.
The complexity, humor, and skill in these cartoons should give Seuss´s critics pause, and maybe inspire re-examination of his children´s books, too often dismissed due to their popularity. The final chapter reminds readers that Seuss won two Academy Awards for documentary filmmaking, and one for animated filmmaking, all while maintaining his career as an author. Libraries will want to purchase this for the adult nonfiction section, and it will attract those not usually considered Seuss fans.
Penny Peck,
San Leandro Public Library
What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grown-ups from Children´s Books, collected by Amy Gash, illustrations by Pierre Le-Tan, and foreword by Judith Viorst. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1999. $14.95. ISBN 0-965-074890.
Looking for a gift for a favorite teacher or children´s librarian? This small hand-held book of quotations can inspire any children´s book lover. Arranged by subjects such as "Animals,"
"Love and Friendship," "Sadness," and "Growing Wise," these quotations serve as affirmations. They can also be used on flyers, on email signatures, or other places where you need a brief quotation.
Who could deny such a sentiment as "There´s nothing as cozy as a piece of candy and a book," from Betty McDonald´s Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle´s Magic, 1949. If someone criticizes your housekeeping, counter with "Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too much order," from "The Crocodile in the Bedroom," from Arnold Lobel´s Fables, 1980, or "After dinner, Harry fell asleep in his favorite place, happily dreaming of how much fun it had been getting dirty," from Gene Zion´s Harry the Dirty Dog, 1956.
Many of the quotations can be used to kick-off booktalks. What is the interesting story behind the following: "Cats very seldom make promises, but when they do, they always keep them. Their word is as good as their bond," from Freddy Goes to Florida, by Walter R. Brooks, 1927?
Each quotation lists the book title, author, and original year of publication. There is an index arranged by book title, and small pen and ink sketches throughout which add interest.
Complete List of ALA/ALSC Children´s Book Award Winners
Newbery winner:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY, Delacorte Press, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-385-32306-9.
Newbery Honor books:
Couloumbis, Audrey. GETTING NEAR TO BABY, Putnam, 1999. $17.99, ISBN 0-399-23389-X.
Holm, Jennifer L. OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, HarperCollins, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-06-027822-6.
DePaola, Tomie. 26 FAIRMONT AVENUE, Putnam, 1999. $13.99, ISBN 0-399-23246-X.
Caldecott Winner:
Taback, Simms. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT, illustrated by Simms Taback, Viking, 1999. $15.99, ISBN 0-670-87855-3.
Caldecott Honor books:
Updike, John. A CHILD´S CALENDAR, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, Holiday House, 1999. $16.95, ISBN 0-8234-1445-0.
Wiesner, David. SECTOR 7, illustrated by David Wiesner, Clarion, 1999. $16.00, ISBN 0-395-74656-6.
Bang, Molly. WHEN SOPHIE GETS ANGRY - REALLY, REALLY ANGRY, illustrated by Molly Bang, Blue Sky/Scholastic, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-590-18979-4.
Andersen, Hans Christian. THE UGLY DUCKLING, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Morrow, 1999. $15.99, ISBN 0-688-15933-8.
Coretta Scott King Winner (Author):
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY, Delacorte, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-385-32306-9.
Coretta Scott King Honor (Author):
English, Karen. FRANCIE, FSG, 1999. $16.00, ISBN 0-374-32456-5.
McKissack, Patricia and Fredrick. BLACK HANDS, WHITE SAILS, Scholastic, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-590-48313-7.
Myers, Walter Dean. MONSTER, HarperCollins, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-06-028078-6.
Coretta Scott King Winner (Illustrator):
Siegelson, Kim L. IN THE TIME OF THE DRUMS, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 1999. $16.99, ISBN 0-7868-2386-0.
Coretta Scott King Honor (Illustrator):
Mollel, Tololwa. MY ROWS AND PILES OF COINS, illustrated by E. B. Lewis, Clarion, 1999. $15.00, ISBN 0-395-75186-1.
Myers, Christopher. BLACK CAT, illustrated by Christopher Myers, Scholastic, 1999. $16.95, ISBN 0-590-03375-1.
Pura Belpre Author Award:
Ada, Alma Flor. UNDER THE ROYAL PALMS: A CHILDHOOD IN CUBA, Atheneum, 1998. $15.00, ISBN 0-689-80631-0.
Pura Belpre Author Honor Books:
Alarcon, Francisco X. FROM THE BELLYBUTTON OF THE MOON AND OTHER SUMMER POEMS, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez, Children´s Book Press, 1998. $15.95, ISBN 0-89239-153-7.
Herrera, Juan Felipe. LAUGHING OUT LOUD, I FLY, illustrated by Karen Barbour, HarperCollins, 1998. $15.95, ISBN 0-060-27604-5.
Pura Belpre Illustrator Award:
Garza, Carmen Lomas. MAGIC WINDOWS: VENTANAS MAGICAS, illustrated by Carmen Lomas Garza, Children´s Book Press, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-89239-157-X.
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Books:
Ancona, George. BARRIO: JOSE´S NEIGHBORHOOD, photos by George Ancona, HBJ, 1998. $18.00, ISBN 0-15-201049-1.
Carling, Amelia Lau. MAMA AND PAPA HAVE A STORE, illustrated by Amelia Lau Carling, Dial, 1998. $15.99, ISBN 0-8037-2045-9.
Slate, Joseph. SECRET STARS, illustrated by Felipe Davalos, Marshall Cavendish, 1998. $15.95, ISBN 0-761-45027-0.
YALSA Michael Printz Award:
Myers, Walter Dean. MONSTER, HarperCollins, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-06-028078-6.
YALSA Michael Printz Honor Books:
Almond, David. SKELLIG, Delacorte, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 0-385-32653-X.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. SPEAK, FSG, 1999. $16.00, ISBN 0-374-37152-0.
Wittlinger, Ellen. HARD LOVE, S&S, 1999. $16.95, ISBN 0-689-82134-4.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (translation):
Quintana, Anton. THE BABOON KING, translated by John Nieuwenhuizen, Walker, 1999. $16.95, ISBN 0-8027-8711-8.
Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Books:
Bjork, Christina. VENDELA IN VENICE, translated by Patricia Crampton, R&S Books, 1999. $18.00, ISBN 91-29-64559-X.
Buchholz, Quint. THE COLLECTOR OF MOMENTS, translated by Peter F. Neumeyer, FSG, 1999. $18.00, ISBN 0-374-31520-5.
Holtwijk, Ineke. ASPHALT ANGELS, translated by Wanda Boeke, Front Street, 1999. $15.95, ISBN 1-886910-24-3.