Currently Reading: Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper (Little Brown, 2006)(Simon & Schuster U.K., 2005). Read an interview with Justin from the St. Albans Observer.
Currently Re-reading: Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Gary Blythe (Candlewick, 2004). Gorgeously illustrated, tremendous production. Are you in the thrall of the master? View an inside spread.
Thanks to author Varian Johnson at They Call Me Mr. V for his recent post “Super Cyn.” I’m blushing. (Do I get a cape and tights with that?)
More News & Links
Authors/Illustrators/Storytellers Online Visit Opportunities from author Toni Buzzeo. A listing of those who offer online programs for schools, libraries, etc. An budget-friendly alternative and/or supplement to an in-person event. Read a Cynsations interview with Toni. See information on booking online events with Cynthia Leitich Smith.
The web page for the Georgia Peach Award has moved. 2006-2007 titles include: Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War II by Joseph Bruchac (Dial, 2005)(author interview); see the complete list (PDF file).
Kidlitosphere by Ilene S. Goldman from the Prairie Wind, newsletter of the SCBWI Illinois chapter. See also Promote that Book! by Tracey Daniels of Media Masters Publicity and Learning to “Do” Optimism by Carol Coven Grannick.
Kirby Larson: official site of the author of Cody and Quinn, Sitting in a Tree, illustrated by Nancy Poydar (Holiday House, 1996); Second Grade Pig Pals, illustrated by Nancy Poydar (Holiday House, 1994); The Magic Kirchief, illustrated by Roseanne Litzinger (Holiday House, 2000); and most recently Hattie Big Sky (Delacorte, 2006). Hattie Big Sky has received starred reviews in Booklist and SLJ. It’s also a Junior Library Guild selection, a Border’s Original Voices pick for December, and a Barnes & Noble Teen Discover title for the holidays. Learn more about Hattie Big Sky. Read Kirby’s blog.
Monica’s Blog: visit the blog of author-illustrator Monica Wellington, whose latest book is Pizza at Sally’s (Dutton, 2006).
The Kennedy Center’s 11th Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Festival will be held Nov. 4 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Roof Level, in the Atrium, Galleries and Theater Lab of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “The festival is a project of the Kennedy Center Education Department. The event attracts more than 7,000 people…” Featured speakers include Lulu Delacre, Jennifer Elvgren, Anthony Chee Emerson, Edwin Fontánez, Eloise Greenfield, Nikki Grimes, Karen Katz, Grace Lin (author-illustrator interview), W. Nikola-Lisa, Pooja Makhijani, Dr. Raouf Mama, Walter Dean Myers, Gaylia Taylor, and Linda Trice.
The October Country by Colleen Mondor at Bookslut in Training. Highlights books fitting the mood of the month, including a couple I’ve also featured: Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes, illustrated by Yuyi Morales (Henry Holt, 2006)(author and illustrator interviews) and Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires–Book One) by Rachel Caine (NAL Jam, 2006)(author interview).
In the Coop with Lisa Yee: A Three Silly Chicks interview. Read a Cynsations interview with Lisa.
Here’s hoping to see some Cynsational readers this weekend at the Texas Book Festival in Austin. The Texas Book Festival is scheduled for Oct. 26 to Oct. 29 at the State Capitol in Austin. Authors will include: Brian Anderson, Dianna Hutts Aston, Avi, Brad Barkley, Sharon Creech, Kathy Duval, Keith Graves, Lila and Rick Guzman, Helen Hemphill, Heather Hepler, David Levithan, Laura Numeroff, Richard Peck, Jane Peddicord, Rick Riordan, Louis Sachar, Lola M. Schaefer, Tanya Lee Stone, Sarah Weeks, and Kathy Whitehead. Look for me and Greg Leitich Smith tomorrow at the panel and reception in honor of the Writers’ League book award winners and finalists. (Greg is a finalist in the children’s long book division for Tofu and T. rex (Little Brown, 2005)). See event details! See Austin kids book author-illustrator Keith Graves by Patrick Beach from the Austin American-Statesman.
And now off with you to the new issue of The Edge of the Forest! Highlights include “A Day in the Life of Patricia Malone” by Kim Winters of Kat’s Eye.