The October issue of “Scribe,” the newsletter of the Writers’ League of Texas, features a profile, “Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, A Fairy Tale Come True” by Dianna Hutts Aston.
I’m also the league’s star instructor this month.
Cinco Puntos has released a new edition of its best-selling title,
Continue Reading Scribe, La Lorna’s New Dress, Southeast Asia, and Karen Hesse »
Children’s book author/illustrator Michael Lacapa (Apache-Hopi) was seriously hurt in a five-car accident in New Mexico last Thursday.
Michael’s books include one of my favorites, Less Than Half, More Than Whole (Northland, 1994), which was co-written with his wife Kathleen (Mohawk).
Medical and related expenses are an ongoing concern.
Please pray for the Lacapa family and/or make out a check to Kathleen Lacapa,
Press release:
“Writing for Children” sponsored by the Highlights Foundation
July 16, 2005 – July 23, 2005
Our mission is to enhance the personal and professional development of the writers and illustrators of literature for children by providing support and guidance through our workshops and educational programs.
This intensive, week-long retreat at the famed resort in western New York State is designed for individuals interested in writing for children.
Going North by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue* (FSG, 2004). A family leaves Alabama for a better life in Lincoln, Nebraska. They must brave the dangers that faced African Americans in the 1960s as they travel across the south. Emotion-packed art, outstanding voice. Inspired by the author’s own family story. Highly recommended. Ages 5-up.
*slow-loading but absolutely worth the wait;
A site visitor wrote asking me this question last night, and I did my version of a statistical analysis AKA guesstimate:
The answer is that CLSCLR recommends about ten percent of the books submitted for consideration. We do brief, positive recommendations. It’s not a traditional review source with a full analysis.
In addition, we do like many of the books passed over.
Continue Reading How Many Submitted Books Does CLSCLR Recommend? »
One of the characters, Susan Mayer, on “Desperate Housewives” (new this fall at 8 central on ABC) is a children’s book illustrator. She’s played by Teri Hatcher, best known for her role as “Lois” in “Lois & Clark.” I adore TH and so far the character is likable, sympathetic.
One writing nitpick: the character minimizes herself as “big with the under five set.”
Continue Reading Children’s Illustrator in “Desperate Housewives” »
Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts, illustrated by Frank Morrison (FSG, 2004). Miz Mozetta is dressed to dance, but who will be her partner? Jazzy, snazzy, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. Ages 4-up.
Note: of dance, urban, African American, and elder interest; FSG is doing many of the best multicultural books these days,
Outgoing Austin SCBWI RA Debbie Dunn was kind enough to send me an article “Connecting The World: Creating Ethnic Fiction for Today’s Young Readers” by Judy Bradley from the October 2004 issue of Children’s Writer: Newsletter of Writing And Publishing Trends.
In a gray box titled “Reading The World,” the author recommends the works of Walter Dean Myers,
Big congrats to Stephanie Marshall, who just found out she was accepted as a student in the MFA program in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College.
I first met Stephanie when she was a student at Kathi Appelt and Debbie Leland‘s summer program in College Station, and she’s a tremendously promising new voice.
An African Princess by Lyra Edmonds, illustrated by Anne Wilson (Candlewick, 2004). Lyra has always been told she is an African princess, even though princess with freckles who live on the tenth floor are rare. But when other kids doubt her, she begins to wonder herself. Will a trip visit to Taunte May, an African princess herself, clear up any confusion?