One of my regrets about my childhood and teen years is that I never became a Dungeons & Dragons player. I'm sure I would have in a hot minute, given half the chance - as a skinny, bespectacled, fantasy/SF reading, Dr. Who and Star Trek watching nerd with a pompous vocabulary, those D & Ders would have been My People.
But I never got the chance somehow. There must have been some around in my junior high, but I didn't recognize the awesomeness of what those geeky boys were doing with their many-sided dice and elaborate pencil scribbles.
I did play this knock-off Lord of the Rings board game in the late 70s - and loved it, dorky as it was.
The appeal of online role-playing games is obvious to me - but they're just too complex, not to mention time-consuming. I'd rather just read a great fantasy book.
That said, fans of the Septimus Heap series might want to check out the new website, which features a game of sorts. It has cool maps, always a fine thing, but the quizzes floored me. Time to re-read!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
December holidays - some book reviews
It was a blessedly small crop this year, and so we stalwart Los Angeles Public Library members of the Christmas (and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) in July Club made short work of our allotted holiday reviews for School Library Journal.
Read them here in SLJ's October issue.
Read them here in SLJ's October issue.
For those considering a career as a children's librarian...
Here's a wonderful opportunity at the University of Colorado's Morgridge School of Education - 10 fully paid fellowships are available for students planning to specialize in library service to very young children and their families. Read all about it here.
It goes to show that children's librarianship is thriving in some library and information schools. Phew! And this specialty hopefully means more research and other good stuff on early literacy in libraries coming from the faculty and doctoral students.
It goes to show that children's librarianship is thriving in some library and information schools. Phew! And this specialty hopefully means more research and other good stuff on early literacy in libraries coming from the faculty and doctoral students.
Cybils!
Cybils nominations are officially open, so go nominate your favorite book in all sorts of categories, from easy readers to poetry to YA fiction and more. You only have until October 15, so hurry!
What are the Cybils? Awards for fabulous children's and YA books published this year, nominated by anyone, and voted on by carefully selected kidlit bloggers. For more information, read this.
Last year, I used the Cybils finalists and winners lists to add plenty of books to my must-read list.
This year, I'm a first-round judge for middle-grade Science Fiction and Fantasy!! As you may know, that's my thang. Check out my fellow panelists:
Panel Organizer: Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds
Panelists (Round I Judges), MG/Elementary:
Anamaria Anderson, bookstogether
Cindy Hannikman, Fantasy Book Critic
Brian Jung, Critique de Mr. Chompchomp
Eva Mitnick, Eva's Book Addiction
Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte's Library
Panelists (Round I Judges), Teen/YA:
Steve Berman, Guys Lit Wire
Gwenda Bond, Shaken & Stirred
Tanita S. Davis, Finding Wonderland
Nettle, The Muse, Amused
Sheila Ruth (see panel organizer)
Angie Thompson, Angieville
Samantha Wheat, Twisted Quill
Round II Judges:
Maureen Kearney, Confessions of a Bibliovore
Anne Levy, Cybils
Sam Musher, Parenthetical
Tarie Sabido, Into the Wardrobe
Tasha Saecker, Kidslit
What are the Cybils? Awards for fabulous children's and YA books published this year, nominated by anyone, and voted on by carefully selected kidlit bloggers. For more information, read this.
Last year, I used the Cybils finalists and winners lists to add plenty of books to my must-read list.
This year, I'm a first-round judge for middle-grade Science Fiction and Fantasy!! As you may know, that's my thang. Check out my fellow panelists:
Panel Organizer: Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds
Panelists (Round I Judges), MG/Elementary:
Anamaria Anderson, bookstogether
Cindy Hannikman, Fantasy Book Critic
Brian Jung, Critique de Mr. Chompchomp
Eva Mitnick, Eva's Book Addiction
Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte's Library
Panelists (Round I Judges), Teen/YA:
Steve Berman, Guys Lit Wire
Gwenda Bond, Shaken & Stirred
Tanita S. Davis, Finding Wonderland
Nettle, The Muse, Amused
Sheila Ruth (see panel organizer)
Angie Thompson, Angieville
Samantha Wheat, Twisted Quill
Round II Judges:
Maureen Kearney, Confessions of a Bibliovore
Anne Levy, Cybils
Sam Musher, Parenthetical
Tarie Sabido, Into the Wardrobe
Tasha Saecker, Kidslit
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Children's library spaces for not-so-little kids
Last March, I wrote this post about the changing nature of children's library areas. Heavy, dark tables and chairs have often given way, at least in the picture book section, to cozy and comfortable areas where very young children and their families can read and play together. The emphasis on early literacy in libraries has meant that families with young kids are much more likely to find a welcoming corner where they feel at home.
But what about spaces for older kids? Even if a library is lucky enough to have a spot for toddlers and preschoolers, usually all that's left in the children's area are rows of shelving and some tables with chairs around them - very similar to what a child 75 years ago might have found in her library! Is this the best way to meet the needs of kids ages 5 to 12?
Kids do need tables and chairs for homework, projects, and reading. However, when it comes to recreational reading, most kids would rather flop onto a big cushion or lounge on a comfortable armchair or couch than sit upright at a table. Wouldn't you? Perhaps it's time to look at our children's areas with an eye toward creating a space, even a very small one, for school-age kids to feel comfortable and welcome, a place where they might even hang out a while.
Check out what Adrienne, of What Adrienne Thinks About That, has done in her children's area. She has taken what is basically one wall at the end of some rows of shelving and has put in an attractive shelving unit, some comfy informal seating, a diner booth, and made some great books and magazines easily accessible. Presto magico - a place for slightly older kids (the ones who either come to the library on their own or do NOT want to hang out with mom while they're there) to kick back, read, and maybe even chat a bit without disturbing anyone.
What I like about Adrienne's tween area is that it's quite simple and doesn't use much space. Granted, some children's areas have basically NO space - but surely there might be a corner where a couple of child-sized comfy chairs might be placed. Put a small table with a box of kid mags and some cool books on it between the chairs and you've got your own mini tween area. Perhaps the Friends group might be willing to pay - or start a little mini-fundraiser.
It's appealing to try to use our library space to welcome kids and to invite them to stay and read awhile, rather than just rolling our eyes at the noisy gaggle of tweens around the computer stations and hoping they'll go home to dinner soon!
But what about spaces for older kids? Even if a library is lucky enough to have a spot for toddlers and preschoolers, usually all that's left in the children's area are rows of shelving and some tables with chairs around them - very similar to what a child 75 years ago might have found in her library! Is this the best way to meet the needs of kids ages 5 to 12?
Kids do need tables and chairs for homework, projects, and reading. However, when it comes to recreational reading, most kids would rather flop onto a big cushion or lounge on a comfortable armchair or couch than sit upright at a table. Wouldn't you? Perhaps it's time to look at our children's areas with an eye toward creating a space, even a very small one, for school-age kids to feel comfortable and welcome, a place where they might even hang out a while.
Check out what Adrienne, of What Adrienne Thinks About That, has done in her children's area. She has taken what is basically one wall at the end of some rows of shelving and has put in an attractive shelving unit, some comfy informal seating, a diner booth, and made some great books and magazines easily accessible. Presto magico - a place for slightly older kids (the ones who either come to the library on their own or do NOT want to hang out with mom while they're there) to kick back, read, and maybe even chat a bit without disturbing anyone.
What I like about Adrienne's tween area is that it's quite simple and doesn't use much space. Granted, some children's areas have basically NO space - but surely there might be a corner where a couple of child-sized comfy chairs might be placed. Put a small table with a box of kid mags and some cool books on it between the chairs and you've got your own mini tween area. Perhaps the Friends group might be willing to pay - or start a little mini-fundraiser.
It's appealing to try to use our library space to welcome kids and to invite them to stay and read awhile, rather than just rolling our eyes at the noisy gaggle of tweens around the computer stations and hoping they'll go home to dinner soon!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Review of We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes by Patrick Jennings
Jennings, Patrick. We Can’t All Be Rattlesnakes. HarperCollins, 2009.
After a boy named Gunnar captures her, puts her in a cage, and names her “Crusher,” a gopher snake vows to live free or die. Unfortunately, this is easier said that done, as Crusher’s fellow prisoners – a lizard and a tortoise – can attest. Crusher is just one of many animals that have suffered and even died at the hands of this “slimy” young human, who spends most of his time playing video games when not alternately mauling and neglecting his pets.
Although she refuses out of pride to eat the live mouse that Gunnar lowers into her cage, Crusher decides that the only way to freedom is to get Gunnar to trust her by making nice. She lets Gunnar pick her up and hold her, flicks her tongue sympathetically, hisses at his enemies, and listens to him – and although her attempt at escape fails, she finds herself feeling strangely sympathetic toward this unlikable but pitiable boy. Weirder yet, she bonds with the hyperactive mouse (“Breakfast”) with whom she now shares living quarters and finds herself treating the other captured reptiles, whom she formerly thought of only as food or lesser beings, with respect.
This story is necessarily told from Crusher’s point of view, and her knowing, dry, and sardonic voice is a delight. Her scathing remarks on almost every creature and topic are invariably “overheard” (through reptile telepathy) and remarked upon by her fellow prisoners – it’s a good thing Gunnar, his rowdy friends, and his hapless parents don’t know what they're saying. Crusher’s unwilling contact with other creatures forces this habitual loner to come off her high horse a bit and consider other points of view, while still retaining her fresh, don’t-mess-with-me attitude. By the end of the book, the entwined fates of Crusher and Breakfast will come as no surprise to any reader.
After a boy named Gunnar captures her, puts her in a cage, and names her “Crusher,” a gopher snake vows to live free or die. Unfortunately, this is easier said that done, as Crusher’s fellow prisoners – a lizard and a tortoise – can attest. Crusher is just one of many animals that have suffered and even died at the hands of this “slimy” young human, who spends most of his time playing video games when not alternately mauling and neglecting his pets.
Although she refuses out of pride to eat the live mouse that Gunnar lowers into her cage, Crusher decides that the only way to freedom is to get Gunnar to trust her by making nice. She lets Gunnar pick her up and hold her, flicks her tongue sympathetically, hisses at his enemies, and listens to him – and although her attempt at escape fails, she finds herself feeling strangely sympathetic toward this unlikable but pitiable boy. Weirder yet, she bonds with the hyperactive mouse (“Breakfast”) with whom she now shares living quarters and finds herself treating the other captured reptiles, whom she formerly thought of only as food or lesser beings, with respect.
This story is necessarily told from Crusher’s point of view, and her knowing, dry, and sardonic voice is a delight. Her scathing remarks on almost every creature and topic are invariably “overheard” (through reptile telepathy) and remarked upon by her fellow prisoners – it’s a good thing Gunnar, his rowdy friends, and his hapless parents don’t know what they're saying. Crusher’s unwilling contact with other creatures forces this habitual loner to come off her high horse a bit and consider other points of view, while still retaining her fresh, don’t-mess-with-me attitude. By the end of the book, the entwined fates of Crusher and Breakfast will come as no surprise to any reader.
This book may well cause young owners of small pets to gulp and re-examine the way they treat their animal companions – but they, and most readers, will cheer Crusher on and relish her eventual well-earned return to freedom and wildness. Highly recommended for kids ages 8 to 12.
Hens are hip but rats are readers
Or at least, rats are great reading companions. See? I read, the ratties (these are the girls - LiLi, Lola, and Marley) free-range, and everyone is happy.
Yeah, they don't call me the Crazy Rat Lady of Venice for nothing...
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