{Not} Living Vicariously

For the Love of Picture Books - Dunrea

Anyone looking for some good books? Oliver Dunrea does it again. I am a huge fan of his geese books (starting with Gossie back in 2002) and this coming February he will be bringing out his newest star: Gideon. Gideon is a ruddy gosling who plays the lead in not one but two new books in that familiar 6 by 6 inch format. Gideon (9780618436613) likes to play and does not like to take naps . . . until he is ready. Gideon & Otto (9780618436620) explores the relationship between a toddler and his/her favorite toy . . . which might just not be where it was left. These will definitely be added to my personal bookshelf. After all, I need a complete set!

Some other friends of Gossie are Gertie, Peedie, Ollie, and BooBoo. Give them half a chance and they'll be friends of yours as well.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

Red Sled Update

As mentioned here, Red Sled is a favorite of mine - in fact I have declared it my favorite picture book of 2011. Now, granted, I'm just one children's librarian who happens to love picture books and I don't claim to have any influence over awards (or any clairvoyance when it comes to what titles will win said awards). However, I'm pleased to report that it is up to THREE starred reviews and will also be mentioned in some upcoming non-industry magazines such as People. The only problem is that it is doing so well it is out of stock at most places. I'm just lucky I got my copies early and have been giving it away like mad!

For the love of picture books - Long

Up, Tall and High (9780399256110) by Ethan Long

I have been a huge fan of Ethan Long’s work since I first discovered him back in 2005 with Tickle the Duck (9780316001021). Unfortunately, many of his titles are on the fragile (or obnoxious) side for me to recommend them to libraries – although I love that many libraries do choose to purchase them on their own. Luckily some of his newer stuff is sturdier and appropriate which means I am recommending it for both personal and professional purchasing. His newest title, Up! Tall! And High! (but not necessarily in that order.) (9780399256110) is just such a title. Three short stories about birds with his characteristic art are just long enough to enthrall a small child. Each story also contains a flap feature for a surprise ending. I’m feeling the love here – thanks Ethan Long for the library friendly work.

PS: how wonderful is it that this pubs on my birthday. What a lovely gift!

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the love of picture books - Vail & Tankard

Piggy Bunny (9780312649883) story by Rachel Vail, pictures by Jeremy Tankard

Everyone knows one – the stubborn child who wants to be something or someone s/he is not. In this case, there is a perfectly wonderful piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny. Misunderstood by his parents and siblings, Liam (and this does not reference my nephew at all!) practices being a rabbit: he hops, eats salad, and delivers eggs. Well meaning parents repeatedly tell him that he is perfect at being a piglet and can’t be a bunny. Confused siblings tell him he is a piglet and to deal with it. Liam stands his ground and says he is dealing with it and is a piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny. Luckily Liam’s grandparents come to visit and know just how to encourage their Liam. With some determination and individuality, everyone comes to believe in Liam and his dreams after all.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the love of picture books - Fogliano & Stead

and then it’s spring (9781596436244) written by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Many times a Caldecott is won by someone known to the industry. It might be surprising, such as in 2008 when Brian Selznick won with The Invention of Hugo Cabret (a 533 page highly illustrated novel) however rarely is the name not known by children’s librarians. This made the 2011 winner a delightful discovery for me of someone new to watch for: Erin E. Stead. I don’t know what work she might have done before A Sick Day for Amos McGee (9781596434028) and I haven’t seen her work anywhere else since – until now. A new book is coming out in February and it is illustrated by Stead. Written by Julie Fogliano, and then it’s spring (9781596436244), is about the joy and frustration of planting a garden and waiting for something . . . anything . . . to grow. The detailed illustrations by Stead, created using woodblock printing techniques and pencil in muted palate, are absolutely delightful to pore over. I especially appreciate one in which the boy and a bunny rabbit are both ear to ground listening for the “greenish hum” of the plants starting to grow. With boy, dog, turtle, bunny, and various other animals above and below ground, I can spend quite some time appreciating each fine detail. Definitely keep your eyes open for this one.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the love of picture books - Judge

Red Sled (9781442420076) by Lita Judge

My newest favorite picture book would have to be Red Sled by Lita Judge. Completely different from her previous work, I have been raving about this one for weeks now. Our buyer at work doesn’t quite get my enthusiasm for this picture perfect title – luckily the review journals are agreeing with me as it has now received two starred reviews! (I had reviewed it first for our own newsletter – see below – and was thrilled to see others in my field agreeing with me.)

With no words to speak of, just many fun sounds to vocalize, this story is perfect for winter themed storytimes! A young child, genderless, leaves a sled outside the cabin as night falls. A bear wandering by notices it and decides to take it for a ride. Joined by a rabbit, a moose, a possum, and several other woodland creatures, enjoyment is key throughout the dark hours. Returning it carefully, the child notices unusual tracks the next morning and the next night joins the animals on the adventures. Beginning with a “Scrinch scrunch scrunch scrunch scrunch scrunch” and ending with a “Wheeeeeeeeee” along with a few “Gadung Gadung Gadung Gadungs” in the middle, this title is highly recommended for ages 2 to 5.

On a non-professional level, I have read this book to anyone I can get to sit down and enjoy . . . I’ve written the publisher to let them know how much I love it . . . I’ve even been in communication with Judge herself on this perfect gem of a story. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited over a title. Nor can I decide how many copies I will NEED to purchase when it comes out next month. Do yourself a favor and check this one out!

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

Queen of Suspense - Helen MacInnes

With the addition of some new IKEA bookshelves in our living room, I've had great fun unpacking many of my book boxes. (Of course some of them were promptly repacked - twenty to be exact - due to still not having enough room for ALL the bookshelves I need.) We'll focus on the positive though. I was able to unpack my Helen MacInnes novels. Yes, I've read them many times and will probably read them several more over the course of my life. Not only do I love to read new stuff, I thoroughly enjoy rereading old favorites. It is just like slipping into a pair of worn out jeans, stretched in all the right places. For me, Helen MacInnes is just such a comfort. Her brand of espionage books, populated by civilians doing the right thing at the right time and for the right reason, inspire me to think about how I can live my life. Cheesy sounding I know. But there it is.

I am curious about her characters and how well-rounded they can be. I haven't actually researched how realistic any of it is. However her characters tend to be multi-lingual and very literate, quoting poetry at the drop of the hat. With her twenty-one titles spanning from 1939 to 1984, times definitely changed (and she did a good job of keeping up with societal changes as best as I can tell). Yet I do wonder how many Americans could travel through Europe and points East and be able to communicate in other languages even to the point of knowing poems in the native tongue. If they could, I feel cheated in my own education.

I've taken several things away from her novels over the years: everything from poems I now enjoy (although I still can't quote them and can only read them in the English translations) all the way to wines to try (such as Valpolicella). In some ways, I can't think of asking anything more from a novel.

Out of the Dark - David Weber

I have a fondness for military science fiction: David Weber, Elizabeth Moon, John Ringo are a few I tend to read regularly, although the list would be quite large if I were to go through all of my bookshelves. And I finished Out of the Dark last night and had to laugh!

I don't know how many of you might do this, although I do know others in the "industry" like me who are known to do the same. I started out listening to this book but was running out of time before I needed to move on to the next audiobook. Since I also had a print copy of the book on hand and read much faster than an audiobook does, I picked it up around chapter 17 and read the rest of it yesterday. (It helped that I was waiting at the dentist office and it was distracting me.) I did listen to the last disc in the car today, just to hear the ending again.

I don't want to give away his deus ex machina and abrupt ending, although the publishers did put it out there in their marketing so it really isn't a secret. However I will say that this title, first in a trilogy and based on a short story he wrote for a collection called Warriors, is typical fast paced and jargon heavy Weber. Some of his military characters do blur together and Charles Keating (the audio narrator) did a phenomenal job of prounouncing the aliens' names which helped me a great deal.

If you like Weber's other stuff, you'll probably enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read Weber, but like military SF, I don't know this is the one I'd suggest starting with . . . but on the other hand, I did laugh several times so it does have the humor to recommend it. There is also a great excuse for paranoia and building an equipped cabin off in the woods that had me ready to find my secret hideaway. And I will definitely be looking forward to books two and three in the trilogy (just hoping that fact is accurate).

I should also mention that I rarely buy books - those of you who know me and know I'm a librarian know that I fully support my local library by raising their circulation statistics. However, because of my job, I also receive a lot of advanced reading copies or sampler discs from publishers wanting me to read and recommend their stuff. This would be how I received Out of the Dark - but if I hadn't gotten a copy to read, I would have borrowed it from the library. What can I say? I like David Weber's work. Now if they'd only send me a copy of the new Honor Harrington to read . . . this one is written for teens and I can't wait to see how he manages YA Fiction!

I want that!

While at Disneyland/California Adventures last week, we happened to see the first showing of their new Pixar Pals Performance. One of the props several of their people used were what I've decided to call "spring stilts."

 
They fascinated me, the way they were on stilts and could also get extra lift/jump. Similar to the extra height we can get by bending our knees before jumping . . . these provided extra lift with the built in springs.

 
They managed incredible height and even did things such as splits up in the air with them on. I want a pair (sorta/kinda) even if I do think about how painful it must be to work your muscles up to using them. These folks had to be in incredible (that's a pun - they were with the Incredibles) shape and it was so much fun to watch them. More fun than the rest of the show to me at least.

 
They actually show a short promo clip in which you can see the spring stilts in action here but I don't see us in the crowd. For the most part we stayed behind the camera crew which is why they are in the above picture. Check it out . . . maybe you'll want a pair too!

Scalzi - Agent to the Stars

Recently I received a bunch of Tor titles and have been enjoying some pleasure reading outside of work. Old Man's War (9780765315243) as an enjoyable read from Bookclub so I decided to give Agent to the Stars (9780765357007) a try. Scalzi states in his author's note that this is the book he wrote back in 1997 as a practice novel to "see if I could write a novel" and it just keeps getting new life in new formats. I really enjoyed it! I will admit, having lived in LA for about 10 years helped me find some additional bits of humor in the story and I'm glad he updated some of the details. Overall though, this is a story that has aged well and I'm recommending it to my uncle to read. I think he'd get some laughs out of it.

For those of you who are curious, the alien race Yherajk have come to Earth in peace and want to become humanity's friends. The problem? They look and smell like putrid ooze. Not something we will find appealing. The solution? Hire a Hollywood agent to give them an image we will accept. Enter Tom Stein and almost 400 pages of fun. Booklist calls it "absurd, funny, and satirically perceptive" - I do not disagree.

I'm going to have to pick up some more Scalzi along the way.