Quick Hits
June 20, 2006
A few things that I noticed while visiting the kidlitosphere (a term coined by Melissa Wiley) today:
- If you've been wondering about children's author Chris Barton over at Bartography, wonder no more. He has a list of interesting tidbits here. I say "Hook 'em, Horns!" (it's a University of Texas thing).
- Sadly, author/illustrator Brian Selznick has been de-throned from his position as the nicest guy in the world, per A Fuse #8 Production. The poor guy didn't do anything wrong, and actually takes it with quite good grace, but Matthew Holm won Miss Fuse over with an impressive array of Babymouse gifts. I have had a taste of Babymouse gifts myself, and I can see how they might sway a person.
- Kelly Herold has her weekly blog book review round-up over at Big A little a. This one is a particularly impressive effort on Kelly's part, given the high volume of reviews inspired by MotherReader's 48-Hour Book Challenge. Kelly has the reviews well organized and linked, and you can find many, many great summer reading suggestions here. I'm pleased to report that Kelly named me "most prolific reviewer of the week". I don't think I could keep that up every week, but it sure was fun!
- The BLTeens Blog has a post that asks who do libraries serve? Michele takes exception to a man she talked with whose "take on library users is that they come to the library simply because they aren't financially successful enough to buy their own books or own their own computers." She offers several points in response.
- Cynthia Leitich Smith at Cynsations has a thoughtful post about the question of product placements in young adult literature. She points out that "there's sometimes a literary impact from the brand names we elect to mention."
That's all for today! I have to go pack for yet another trip.