Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly Wins Daughters of the Republic of Texas Award

Anne Bustard, author of the picture book biography Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, 2005), and its illustrator Kurt Cyrus received the June Franklin Naylor Award for the Best Book for Children on Texas History from The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Committee on May 19 at the DRT annual conference in Dallas.

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Author Interview: Shirley Smith Duke on No Bows!

No Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke, illustrated by Jenny Mattheson (Peachtree, 2006). “No bows. BRAIDS!” A lively exploration of contrast–pitting expectations for little girls against an individual girl with her own ideas about her preferences. Ages 4-up. See excerpt.

Shirley Smith Duke on Shirley Smith Duke: “Books were always exciting and important to me.

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You’re at the Helm! The Business of Writing and Illustrating for Children

from the Children’s Literature Network:

Life sends surprises.

One day you’re celebrating the publication of your first book—or another book—and your friends are jumping up and down with congratulations.

The next day you wake up and realize that you’re now a self-employed person, a small business owner, an entrepreneur. Maybe those hats feel a little uncomfortable.

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Author Interview: J. Patrick Lewis on Blackbeard The Pirate King

Blackbeard The Pirate King by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by vintage art (National Geographic, 2006). “Several yarns detailing the legends, myths, and real-life adventures of history’s most notorious seaman; told in verse.” Ages 4-up. Cyn Note: though marked for ages 4-up, this picture book would work as well for teen readers.

From the flap bio: J.

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Cynsational News & Links

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop is offering “Where I’m Calling From,” a new writing project for youth that focuses on capturing personal experiences in the form of creative non-fiction, stories based on real life, essays and journals. WICF is open to youth, grades 9 to 12, from all racial backgrounds in New York City and surrounding areas. All youth who participate in WICF will receive an artist stipend of $200,

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