The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi held their annual Children's Book Preview earlier this month. Both of our recent releases, God's Promise and Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone were on display for the local community to peruse. Karen Rowell, the event coordinator, tells us that "Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone was a favorite of many of our visitors!"

The event also included storytelling and puppet shows. What a fun way for the university to reach out to the community!

Jane Yolen, veteran author of both picture books and young adult novels, details the process of developing her current project, a picture book about Ben Franklin and his son William. She's posting about the process on her online journal; scroll down to "Interstitial Moment: 1 of 3 on Writing A Picture Book" for the beginning of her journey. Yolen writes:

Difficult? A picture book? O, ye of little knowledge. To remind you: a picture book is usually 32 and occasionally 40 pages long. Half or more of it is pictorial. The trick of writing one--so far as there is a trick--is to be a prose writer with a poet's sensibility. Or a poet who is comfortable with story. Furthermore, an historical picture book needs to be able to boil down a biography or a part of a biography into a followable line with illustrate-able pages.

And the rest of the post is just as interesting. If you're an aspiring author or a fan of Yolen, this is one post you won't want to miss!

[via the ever-fabulous Fuse #8]

This morning, Fuse #8 has links to a plethora of gorgeous picture books for your viewing pleasure.

First up is the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books 2008, a slideshow featuring interior views of some beautifully illustrated new books. Among them is We Are the Ship, written and illustrated by the amazing Kadir Nelson. We recently tried to get Nelson as an illustrator for one of our upcoming titles, A Home Run for Bunny, but sadly he is booked with projects for the next four years. I'm not surprised, though; the man is supremely talented.

Amazon.com also has a list of recommendations for the Best Children's Picture Books of 2008. Their list is split into two categories of Editors' Picks and Customers' Picks.

Any of these books would make a wonderful addition to your child's bookshelf.

Now through the end of the year, you can save 30% on any order in our online store. That's one of the best deals you'll find online! Just enter HOLIDAYS2008 in the "Use a coupon" box on the left side of your screen during checkout, and you'll be on your way to great savings--and great books!

Five lucky U.S. kids will win a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, to have tea with J.K. Rowling, where she will read from her new book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard. If you're between the ages of 8 and 17, all you have to do is write a short essay of less than 200 words, describing how you've helped others. For more details, visit Scholastic's website.

[via School Library Journal]

Well, in addition to winning the Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine, God's Promise, by Maureen Moss, is now a semifinalist for a Moonbeam Children's Book Award. The Moonbeam Awards "are designed to honor the best children's books, authors and illustrators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading."

Congratulations to God's Promise and its creators!

If you're interested in learning how to break into children's book publishing, consider attending the Center for Children's Literature conference in Kenosha, WI next weekend.

THE BUSINESS OF CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING

"I've got the idea, now what do I do with it?" Many people involved with children and books feel they could publish a children's book. But it is a long journey from idea to bound book. How to make the journey?

The Center for Children's Literature at Carthage College, Kenosha, WI., is sponsoring a conference that will present eight speakers currently involved in children's book publishing. Authors Gary D. Schmidt and Jan Greenberg will talk about their journeys. Illustrator Timothy Basil Ering will describe his.

In addition, a publisher, a marketing manager, an editor, an art director and an agent will also describe their roles in the process of making a book. Large group presentations, question/answer sessions and optional box lunches with the speakers in small groups will make up the schedule.

Friday, October 17 (beginning at 9 am) and Saturday, October 18 (finishing at 3 pm) in Hedberg Library on the campus, aspiring authors and illustrators, teachers, librarians, and parents can interact with the speakers, on either, or both of the days. Registration information is available by calling (262)552-5480 or going to www.carthage.edu/childliterature.

[via Fuse #8]

TDmonthly Magazine has posted a glowing review of Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone on their website. From the review:

What Kids Think: Simply stated, kids love this book! The illustrations are vibrant and entertaining. The scariness of being lost is a feeling to which many children could relate. In settings composed of first- to fourth-graders, not one child had a negative word to say!

It's great to see this charming little bee get some attention!

If you're in the Chicago area and you like children's books, head on over to the Newberry Library for their new exhibit, Artifacts of Childhood: 700 Years of Children's Books:

Artifacts of Childhood features such treasures as: the first illustrated edition of Aesop's Fables (1485); the first edition of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865); a nineteenth-century collectible story, La Fille de L'Exile, that is similar in format to Pokemon cards; and ABCs from 1544 to 1992.

Admission to the library and its exhibits is free. If I were heading to Chicago any time soon, this is something I would not want to miss!

[via Educating Alice]

Sandra Hanken, author of Sky Castle has an interesting new project: turning old clothing into a keepsake bear with BecomingBears.com. The bears in the Photo Gallery are pretty adorable. What a great use for that old baby clothing you've been saving!