July 2005
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Events for Children's Librarians
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Events for Children's Librarians
"Wining Author/Illustrator Visits": The Northern California Children's Booksellers Association is presenting a workshop on Sat., Sept. 17, 2005, 1:00-4:00pm, at the Redwood City Public Library, 1044 Middlefield Rd. "How to Host a Successful Author & Illustrator Visit" will include brief presentations by more than 20 children's authors and illustrators. There is no registration fee but attendees pay $10 and receive the resource guide "Writer's and Illustrator's Network: The San Francisco Bay Area's Definitive Guide to Hosting a Successful Author & Illustrator Visit." RSVP to Kathryn Shepler at KBShepler@aol.com.
ACL Officers Nominated: The ACL Nominating Committee has offered the following slate for the 2005-2006 year: Vice President/President Elect: Allison Angell, Benicia Public Library; Secretary: Derrick DeMay, Oakland Public Library; Treasurer: Sherrill Kumler, Hayward Public Library. ACL's election will take place at the August meeting.
BayNews needs you! BayNews welcomes any articles, news, ideas on storytime or programs, etc. Just send any articles as a Word attachment to email, to Penny Peck at Pikly@aol.com. Thanks!
Kate Greenaway Medal: Britain's children's book award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, announced the winner on July 9, 2005. Cartoonist Chris Riddell won for his illustrations of Gulliver's Travels, Candlewick, 2004. The adaptation was done by Martin Jenkins.
2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature
Three books earned their authors top honors when the 2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature were announced on June 16, 2005. First presented in 1967, and among the most prestigious in the field, the awards are given in three categories: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction. This year's winners are:
The judges also selected two honor books in each category:
The 2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award ceremony will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Boston Athenĉum on Friday, September 30. The honored authors and illustrators are expected to be on hand to accept their awards and deliver acceptance speeches.
Websites for Children's Recommended Reading
Bookhive www.bookhive.orgALA's annual Conference, held in June in sweltering Chicago, had several programs that discussed emergent readers. The ALSC Preconference had on overview on how kids learn to read in school, and the complicated No Child Left Behind federal policy that may actual hinder reading achievement. Another program explained how Kindergarten is now the grade in which children learn to read, not First grade, so that will affect those of us who incorporate Kindergarten readiness in our preschool storyhours.
But the Conference wasn't just about learning, there were many fun events as well. The exhibit floor had an energy, with lots of great new Fall 2005 books and authors being featured. One of the highlights was the speech by Senator Barak Obama, who talked about how libraries and books influenced him; everyone packed into the hall to hear him and he received a huge standing ovation at the end of his remarks. He has the magic of Elvis! Mayor Richard Daley's short speech on how Chicago has built several new libraries over just the past decade was also well received.
For ACL members, it was great to see past members who have moved out of California. Starr LaTronica, formerly of Berkeley Public, now lives in New England. Teffany Edmondson, formerly of Oakland Public, now works in Atlanta, GA. And Stephanie Bange was also there; she now works in Ohio. All three say "Hello!" to former friends from ACL.
The buzz around authors and books is always a highlight of an ALA Conference, and this was no exception. The authors well known for their adult books are now writing novels for young adults: Walter Mosley, James Patterson, and David Baldacci, all published by Little Brown. At the Scholastic Brunch, several new authors were introduced who read from their new books. One author who read stood out was Chris Krovatin, author of the young adult novel Heavy Metal and You. Still a young college student, he looked like the high school kids who volunteer at my library, and his reading showed humor and romance. I'd bet his book is a big success. Another highlight was a dessert reception held for Judy Blume, celebrating her books on tape.
Even though it was humidly hot, and there was a blackout in the convention center hotel, people seemed to really get a lot out of the Conference. There were plenty of programs for youth librarians, including a fascinating presentation of picture book art that featured Ann Grifalconi and Jon Muth. And Chicago itself is well worth visiting, with great restaurants and museums. If you haven't attended an ALA Conference, check into going next year, you may find it worth your time.
Todd World: Hi I'm Todd. DVD, 2005, 105 minutes, $12.99.
San Francisco children's book author/illustrator Todd Parr has a new animated television program, "Todd World," aimed at preschoolers, that is now available on DVD. His many books include The Peace Book, and The Daddy Book, and several picture books starring Otto the dog.
The TV series has the same bright, bold saturated color, and child-like art style as his books. The themes are similar in both, too; celebrating individuality, cooperation, and kindness toward others. In fact, "Todd World" was a finalist for the Catholic Church's Humanitas Award, given to media that "illuminate the human condition." It was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award, for Outstanding Children's Animated Program.
There are several characters in "Todd World:" Todd, a boy who loves to draw, his dog Benny, Pickles the Clown, Sophie, a girl who can fly, and Stella, who isn't as crabby as Charlie Brown's Lucy but comes close.
The DVD contains 4 episodes (and one bonus episode in the extras), and simple interactive games appropriate for preschoolers. For example, kids can help Todd build his clubhouse by choosing from the multiple choice items on the screen. The DVD also has a CD Rom element for game play. The character voices and background music are excellent; the production values are top notch, and the messages are not overly didactic.
The TV program can be seen on two cable channels: TLC (the Learning Channel), and Discovery Kids. Check your local listings for times and days. The DVDs will be a great addition to any public library's circulating DVD collection, as they will inspire kids and parents to find Parr's picture books and check those out, too. The humanitarian themes will also resonate with most Bay Area parents, who often find kids TV too violent, or that TV emphasizes irresponsible consumerism. "Todd World" is an exception to that.
Two other DVDs of the Todd World series are also available, $12.99 each: Todd World: Best Friends, released in April 2005, and Todd World: Come Over to My House, due for release in August 2005.
James Haskins, Coretta Scott King Author Dies
James Haskins, an educator who in seeking to make up for the dearth of children's books on black historical figures ultimately became one of America's most prolific children's book authors with more than 100 works of nonfiction to his credit, died in July at his home in Manhattan. He was 63. No cause was given, but his family said he had suffered from emphysema.
Haskins was working as a special education teacher where he kept a journal. A friend showed the journal to Barney Rosset at Grove Press, who published it in 1969 as "Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher." This was his first book.
Determined to document the significant achievements of black people, Mr. Haskins - who wrote under the name Jim Haskins in addition to James - produced several dozen juvenile biographies. His subjects ranged from sports and popular cultural names like Hank Aaron, Stevie Wonder and Bill Cosby to political figures like Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. He received awards for "James Van DerZee: The Picture Takin' Man" (1980), "The March on Washington" (1994) and "Black Music in America: A History Through Its People" (1987).
VOYA Gets a Make-Over
"VOYA - Voice of Youth Advocates," the bi-monthly journal that reviews Young Adult books, recently updated its design. For the first time, the journal now features color photos and design elements, beginning with the April 2005 issue (volume 28). Up until this year, VOYA was black and white only.
Children's librarians who serve kids through age 12 (8th grade) will find this journal very helpful, and the articles are entertaining. There are great ideas for programming. A few years ago, there was an article on Teen Readathons, and my library adapted their ideas and have held one for the past three years. It draws mainly middle schoolers, and is a huge hit. VOYA also has great ideas for poetry programs, in house journals published by students, film programs, and much more.
They also feature great booklists that librarian's can adapt to subject handouts; the April 2005 issue had one on Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. Another feature in each issue is a profile of a different library's young adult room, with photos and diagrams. There are also author interviews and features on censorship and the current climate regarding teens and libraries.
The reviews are also useful to children's librarians. They review books on tape, websites, and books. They even review series nonfiction, which is not always reviewed elsewhere. Many of the books they review are not "young adult only;" they often review books for kids as young as 5th grade.
VOYA was one of the first journals that seriously reviewed graphic novels on a regular basis; they still do. It is very helpful to know which graphic novels are appropriate for those under 13, and which are really better for high schoolers and adults, since this genre is gaining in popularity.
The new color design made me re-examine this useful, entertaining journal, and realize that it is not for young adult librarians only! Borrow a recent issue from your YA librarian and check it out!
With the sixth Harry Potter book's summer release, some may be interested in holding a Harry Potter party. You could also do a Halloween Program with a Harry Potter theme. Here are some great trivia questions on Harry Potter that you can use. Special thanks to librarian Carrie Silberman of New York for posting these trivia questions on the PUBYAC listserv.
EASY Which of Ron's brothers becomes a prefect?
Percy Weasley
How many players are on a quidditch team?
Seven
What is the Weasley's ancient owl's name?
Errol
What animal feature did Hagrid magically give Dudley Dursley?
Pig's tail
What position does Krum play in Quidditch?
Seeker
Who did Hermione and Ron think was responsible for jinxing Harry's broom during his first game of Quidditch?
Snape
What instrument do Harry and his friends use to get past Fluffy?
Flute
What is the Dursley's street address?
Privet Drive
What do Harry and Malfoy do to see the cloaked figure do the unicorn?
Drink its blood
Who beats Professor McGonagall's chess set?
Ron Weasley
What is Hagrid's first name?
Rubeus
What is Ron's rat's name?
Scabbers
What time does the Hogwart's train leave?
11 a.m.
What is the wizard bank called?
Gringotts
Name of the oldest of all the Weasley children?
Bill
What sort of hat does Professor Quirrell wear?
Turban
What is the caretaker's name?
Filch
What is the name of Hagrid's boarhound's name?
Fang
What type of creatures runs Gringott's bank?
Goblins
Harry's school books come from a store called?
Flourish & Blotts
From what station does the train for Hogwarts leave?
King's Cross Station
Who rides a flying motorbike?
Hagrid
Who is the ghost of Slytherin?
The Bloody Baron
Where does Harry head the first time he uses the invisibility cloak?
Restricted section of the library
What creature is displayed on the Slytherin banner?
Serpent
From what material is a remembrall made?
Glass
What is Hermione's charm for opening locked doors?
alohomora
How many beaters are on a Quidditch team?
Two
To whom did Harry's invisibility cloak formerly belong?
Harry's father
What creature is Neville Longbottom always losing?
Toad
What does the mirror of Erised show?
What the watcher most desires
What does Harry see when he looks in the Mirror of Erised?
His parents
What creature has Hagrid always wanted?
Dragon
What kind of forest creatures are half-man and half-horse?
Centaurs
For their year-end exams, the Hogwart's students are provided with special quills, bewitched with what?
An anti-cheating spell
What color did Ron try to turn Scabbers?
Yellow
Who is the Hufflepuff ghost?
The Fat Friar
What is the first line of the Sorting Hat's song?
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty
Who does Mrs. Norris belong to?
Filch
Who stuffs his/her wand up a Troll's nose?
Harry
What are the two black balls in Quidditch called?
Bludgers
Which one of Hermione's parents is a wizard?
None. She is a muggle.
What does Dumbledore see when he looks in the Mirror of Erised?
A pair of thick woolen socks
What professor announced there was a troll in the dungeons before fainting?
Quirrel
Who is the Minister for Magic?
Cornelius Fudge
Who teaches Herbology classes at Hogwarts?
Professor Sprout
How many house points did Professor Dumbledore award Ron for his chess playing?
50
What is the name of the wand shop in Diagon Alley?
Ollivanders
What is Headmaster Dumbledore's first name?
Albus
What part of Harry's head hurt after he saw the cloaked figure in the Forbidden Forest ?
Scar
Who was found under Professor Quirrell's turban?
Voldemort
If you were looking for Hagrid's wand, where would you most likely find it?
Umbrella
What does drinking the Elixir of Life do to a person?
Makes them immortal.
HARD
Harry's wand comes from Ollivanders, "makers of Fine Wands Since" what year?
382 B.C.
Dumbledore's extraordinarily short welcoming speech runs as follows:
Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. Tweak.
The number of stairs at Hogwarts is?
142
From what sort of wood is the Nimbus 2000 made?
Mahogany
How many bottles are involved in Professor Snape's test to reach the sorcerer's stone?
7
What plant do Harry, Ron, and Hermione land on after jumping through the trap door into the chamber?
Devil's Snare
How many house points did Slytherin end the year with?
472
What sort of dragon is Hagrid's pet?
Norwegian Ridgeback
What three creatures are first year students allowed to own?
Cat, owl, frog
To what hotel does Uncle Vernon take his family to escape the flow of letters to Harry?
Railview Hotel
How many knuts make up a Sickle?
29
Where was the snake in the zoo from?
Bolivia
What did the Warlocks Convention of 1709 prohibit?
Dragon Breeding
How many different fouls are there in Quidditch?
700
What unpleasant flavor bean did Professor Dumbledore eat by Harry's bedside?
Earwax
What year was Hagrid expelled?
Third
How many older brothers does Ron Weasley have?
Five
How many points did Professor Dumbledore award Harry for courage?
60
How many years in a row has Slytherin won the house cup?
6
What percentage did Hermione score on Professor Flitwick's exam?
112%