BayNews November, 2002

Dorothy Dohm, 1906-2002

Longtime children's librarian and ACL member Dorothy Dohm died October 9, 2002 at home in San Francisco. She was 96 years of age.
Miss Dohm, as she was fondly remembered, was a graduate of the University of Washington's library science program, graduating in the 1930's. She worked at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Public Library as a children's librarian. After retirement, she volunteered at the Oakland Public Main Library's Information Desk.
ACL members recall that Miss Dohm brought cookies to every December meeting. She often reviewed books on ballet, Ancient Greece and Rome. Miss Dohm was a frequent contributor to BayNews; many remember her article "Of The Potent Past" in the December 1999 issue, recounting a seminar she attended at UC Berkeley in 1939.
Miss Dohm is survived by her sister, Judith Dohm. Anyone interested in making a donation in Miss Dohm's memory can send donations to the Information School at the University of Washington.

NEWS AND NOTES

New "Eloise:" Eloise Takes A Bawth has just been released by Simon & Schuster.. Written by the late Kay Thompson, this fifth Eloise adventure wasn't up to her standards and sat in a drawer. The original "Eloise" illustrator, Hilary Knight, has created the pictures for this new adventure of the little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel. $17.95, ISBN 0689842880.

PBS Parents Website: www.pbsparents.org is the newest and most extensive website constructed by PBS to serve the parents whose children watch their education programming, which includes "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow," and "Between the Lions." Users can search for educational activities, the schedules for their local PBS stations, and advice from Mister Rogers. The Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, has created more than a dozen booklists that are available on the site, listing suggested books on multicultural topics, family reading, and more.
Jules Feiffer Regrets He's Unable to Breakfast: Award-winning playwright and children's book author Jules Feiffer appeared at First Lady Laura Bush's National Book Festival on Oct. 12th, but declined an invitation to breakfast at the White House. He, as well as many other authors at the Festival, opposes a war with Iraq, but only Feiffer declined the invitation in protest.

Canadian Picture Books Website: The Canadian Children's Illustrated Books Project has a new website: www.slais.ubc.ca/saltman/ccib/home.html.
The website features a listing of nearly every Canadian children's book award winners.

Poet Shihab Nye Awarded Fellowship:
Naomi Shihab Nye has been awarded a $75,000 Lannan Literary Fellowship. The awards, which began in 1989, recognize writers of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction "whom the foundation believes to have made a significant contribution to English-language literature." Her most recent book is 19 Varieties of Gazelle published by Greenwillow/HarperCollins.

Frances Hodgson Burnett Conference: The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature will sponsor the "Frances Hodgson Burnett: Beyond the Secret Garden Conference," to be held April 25-27, 2003, on the Campus of the California State University, Fresno. Scheduled speakers include Alison Lurie and Michael Cart. For more information, contact the Arne Nixon Center at 559-278-8116. A website is under construction at the time of this writing.

Correction to BayViews: Dorothy Helfeld's review of Sparks Fly Upward by Carol Matas, in the Sept. 2002 issue of BayViews, p. 20-21, was misprinted in such a way as to alter her meaning. Dorothy offers this correction: "In it, 12 year old Rebecca and her Russian Jewish family is forced by fire to move from their farm in Canada to Winnipeg. Lacking funds, the family must disperse, and Rebecca alone (not her family) is placed with a Ukrainian family where she experiences anti-Semitism from the father and sons. The review, which states that the Ukrainian family is terrified because they are anti-Semitic, makes no sense. It is Rebecca who is terrified, and it is she, not the Ukrainian family, as stated, who scorns her artistic father for not taking a menial job enabling the family to live together. The rest of the review is accurate."

NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The 2002 National Book Awards were announced on November 20 in New York. The winner in the Young People's Literature category was Menlo Park, California resident Nancy Farmer for her novel, The House of the Scorpion, published by Richard Jackson/Atheneum. She was awarded $10,000. In the past, Farmer has also been a Newbery Honor author.
Noominees in the Young People's Literature category receive $1,000 each, and were:
FEED by M.T. Anderson, Candlewick Press,
19 VARIETIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST by Naomi Shihab Nye, Greenwillow/HarperCollins,
HUSH by Jacqueline Woodson, Penguin Putnam,
THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME: THE LIFE & SONGS OF WOODY GUTHRIE by Elizabeth Partridge, Viking/Penguin Putnam.
The judges were children's book authors Han Nolan, Christopher Paul Curtis, Rita Williams-Garcia, Sandra Jordan, and Gregory Maguire.

Books for Children's Librarians

Marcus, Leonard S. Ways of Telling: Conversations on the Art of the Picture Book. Dutton, 2002. $29.95. ISBN 0-525-46490-5.

Fourteen of the most respected picture book creators are interviewed by Marcus, known for his biography of Margaret Wise Brown, editing the letters of Ursula Nordstron in Dear Genius, and other books. All of the artists and writers interviewed are long-standing contributors to the field - no baby-boomers here, but people born during World War II and earlier.

The interviews took place over the past 14 years, and include legends like Robert McCloskey (Make Way for Ducklings), Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), and Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are). The interviews are arranged alphabetically by the subject's last name, beginning with Mitsumasa Anno. Unfortunately, his is one of the least interesting.

But it picks up from there. More to my liking were William Steig's sarcastic answers: "Interviewers always ask me the same questions, like, How'd you get into this racket? Stuff like that." James Marshall, the only subject to have passed away since his interview, is given one of the longest chapters. He discusses both his artwork and his writing. I didn't know he almost became a professional viola player - and his favorite character is Viola Swamp! Both Marshall and Sendak have unkind words about Bruno Bettelheim, who Marshall calls "The old fool!"

Other interesting personal facts are included: Ashley Bryan was a soldier at Normandy on D-Day, Eric Carle spent most of his youth in Nazi Germany, and Jerry Pinkney was actively discouraged from an art career by teachers who felt there was no future in art for an African-American. Iona Opie goes into the sociology of rhymes. Rosemary Wells and several others remember the books of Robert Lawson as childhood favorites. Several of the authors and illustrators began their careers in the advertising field.

Anyone who writes book reviews of picture books will find this interesting. Many times, Marcus recalls more about a book than the author does, but he often lets the interviewee elaborate during the interviews - these aren't soundbites.

Gifts for Librarians

At this time of year, there are some fun items that you see in bookstores, but are not always appropriate for libraries. We have collected these fun things that you may want to give as a holiday gift to your favorite librarian. Some of these items will be appropriate for library circulation, but these don't really fit a specific genre or item type.

Boynton, Sandra. Philadelphia Chickens. Illustrated by Sandra Boynton. Workman, Book and CD, $16.95, ISBN 0-7611-2636-8.

Adults without children should not feel guilty listening to this "Imaginary Musical Revue;" 17 original Broadway-style songs written by Boynton and Michael Ford. Best known for her hilarious cartoon board books and picture books, Boynton and partner Ford have created a musical experience that deserves to be on Broadway, or at least be made into an animated television special.
Cows, chickens, ducks, dinosaurs, cats, pigs, bunnies, hippos, and assorted other animals, drawn in Boynton familiar cartoon style, star in this picture book that is paired with a musical recording. Each spread features a character facing the lyrics of one of the songs heard on the CD. They sing about everyday things, like swing-dancing chickens, belly buttons, snoozing, and cookies.
All of the singers, as well as the musicians heard on the CD, are very talented. When you read the credits, you realize Boynton has assembled a truly all-star cast of Broadway's finest: Patti Lupone, Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Scott Bakula, Kevin Kline, The Bacon Brothers, and many more. Some even sing a capella, and they don't strike a bad note anywhere. These aren't just big names, but equally big talents that complement the clever lyrics and fine arrangements.
At first, I wondered who the audience was for this; adults will certainly appreciate the CD, but may not need the picture book. But kids will enjoy both! This isn't "kiddie music" but wonderful music kids and adults can enjoy together. Somebody call Michael Eisner - why isn't this in production as a full length musical cartoon!

Addams, Charles. The Charles Addams Mother Goose. Simon & Schuster, 2002, 1967. $19.95, ISBN 0-689-84874-9.

New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams is best known for creating the macabre and amusing Addams Family, in both cartoon form and on the 1960's television series. In this reissue of his take on Mother Goose, that same combination of slightly scary with very funny is perfect for elementary age children (and parents)!
In fact, who can say that Addams' interpretations aren't right on the mark; after all, isn't "Ring Around the Roses" really about the Black Plague? When the spider sits down by Little Miss Muffet, isn't she supposed to be scared? And who knows what kind of egg Humpty Dumpty was - it certainly could have been a dinosaur egg!
Anyway, these color cartoons perfectly compliment the chosen rhymes, which do tend to lean towards Mother Goose's more edgy verse. "Three Blind Mice" is complimented by the "American Gothic" - type farmer and wife, and the "rat" in "This is the House that Jack Built" looks like a thug from TV's "Sopranos."
The book concludes with a six-page "scrapbook" of photos and artifacts from Addams' career. We see the cartoonist in his New York penthouse with his collection of crossbows, old b&w photos from his youth, and the cover illustrations from selected New Yorker magazines and his books. There is one illustration that is reproduced here that was omitted from the original edition: "A red sky at night is a shephard's delight" shows a red mushroom cloud. It was probably too controversial for a children's book in the late '60's. Any Addams' fan, as well as kids over age 7 who watch the old "Addams Family" reruns, will appreciate this reissue.

60 Years of Little Golden Books: Limited Edition Anniversary Collection. Six "Little Golden Books" in slipcase, Random House. $17.99, ISBN 0-307-10308-0.

Six of the earliest and most popular "Little Golden Books" are presented in gift slipcase for collectors or grandparents who want to buy them. As always, they don't have bindings suitable for libraries, but you may have patrons who request "Little Golden Books," and you can recommend they purchase this package.
Very often children's librarians are asked about an old favorite book, and the adult usually is remembering a "Little Golden Book." So this will fill a need. And they have chosen the most popular original books, not those based on '50's or 60's TV shows or movies. Included is the line's bestseller, "The Poky Little Puppy," written by Janette Sebring Lowrey and illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren. Others included are "Scuffy the Tugboat," "The Saggy Baggy Elephant," "The Shy Little Kitten," "Tawny Scrawny Lion," and "Tootle," about a train.
Looking at these by contemporary standards, the stories seem awfully wordy for picture books, but the colorful illustrations have a retro charm. The set also comes with a "Make Your Own Little Golden Book," which is basically a blank book with a white cover, that kids can use to draw their own book.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,
Having just finished reading "Edward in the Jungle" by David McPhail to my K-3rd graders, I have to comment on the review published in the September issue of Bay Views.

David Howd [the reviewer] stated "Readers who are old enough to read Tarzan probably won't pick up this picture book for youngsters. So, who is the intended audience?" I can tell you without hesitation that my K-3rd graders know exactly who Tarzan is since most of them have seen the recent Disney film and some have even seen the old Weismuller black and white classic movies. Clearly, they are the intended audience.

The children were enthralled by this book. I've just read it to 13 classes and in every one of them, the children had many positive things to say about the book. I always ask them their opinions of a book I've just finished reading and emphasize that it's perfectly all right not to have enjoyed it and the only one who didn't wanted more action.

This book also has prompted some great discussion about helping others, which is clearly the book's theme. Edward helped the crocodile even though he didn't like him. ("Serves him right,' thought Edward. 'That crocodile is not friend of mine.' But then Edward's heart softened. As unfriendly as the crocodile was, he didn't deserve to be bound and dragged away from his river home.") Later, when Edward needed help getting home, it was the crocodile's turn to help, which he did, without even waiting around to be thanked. The children also brought up the idea of helping animals to survive so that they can flourish in the jungle and not become endangered.

Also, Tarzan does not "show up to instruct Edward on jungle safety." What he does is tell Edward what to do if he needs help. ("I'll tell you what to do if you need help and I'm not around," said Tarzan.)

I do agree with Mr. Howd's comment about the wonderful illustrations but I have to disagree with the Low Additional rating. Just ask the 300+ children at the Park Side School Library who enjoyed "Edward in the Jungle" and they will be glad to give it a much higher rating.

Thank you for all your fine work - even if I don't always agree with all of your reviews. I love the day that the newest issue of Bay Views arrives and I can go through it to see which books I have already purchased for this library and which ones I plan to purchase.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Prowell
Park Side School Library
Sebastopol, CA

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS - MEDIA WATCH

Weiss, Jim. "The Queen's Pirate," Greathall Productions, 2002. CD $14.95, ISBN 1-882513-78-9, Cassette $10.05, ISBN 1-882513-53-3.
Weiss, Jim. "The Prince and the Pauper," Greathall Productions, 2002. CD $14.95, ISBN 1-882513-54-1, Cassette $10.95, ISBN 1-882513-54-1

Storyteller Jim Weiss has released two new storytelling recordings that join his previous award-winning CD's. Each runs approximately one hour in length, and retells famous figures from Old England.
"The Queen's Pirate" has two major segments; the first half recounts the life of Queen Elizabeth I, and the second is the story of Sir Francis Drake. In both segments, Weiss portrays all the roles, from Elizabeth to her brother and sister, her advisors, and her friend Shakespeare, to Elizabeth's contemporary Drake and his men. Weiss has written the script for both segments, including quotations from Shakespeare, which are fitting. Fourth grade teachers may find the segment on Drake useful as he is often discussed as part of the California history curriculum. Some of the Drake story is told through a dialogue between a boy Derek, who speaks to Drake's former cabin boy who is now a ship's captain, Will Deacon.
Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper" has been adapted by Weiss for his recording. He begins with brief comments about Twain and some of the themes in the story, then kicks off a rollicking retelling. It's amazing that all the British accents are different, depending on the character's station or class, so it is easy to follow who is speaking.

November 2002