Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: Launch Trailer – BBC One

Two Exciting Fall Books To Look Forward To

This week I received some especially lovely mailings of two forthcoming books. First of all, there was Laura Amy Schlitz’s The Hired Girl (which I have read and wrote enthusiastically about here). The ARC came most appropriately with a small notebook and a dainty white handkerchief. How perfect for a book written as a journal from the perspective of an aspirational farm girl.

And then there was a book I’ve known was in the works for some time. I’m thrilled that it is coming out this fall and can’t wait to read it. This is M. T. Anderson’s Symphony for the City of the Dead. What a gorgeous cover!

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Kids and Ironic Humor

Years ago I wrote an article, “Pets and Other Fishy Books” in which I took a look at kids’ reactions to subversive books. Among others I wrote about my class’s response to Chris Raschka’s Arlene Sardine:

Most unexpected to me was their reaction to Chris Raschka’s Arlene Sardine. Assuming it was another piscatorial preschool book along the lines of Swimmy or Rainbow Fish, I quickly touched upon and then skipped right past it at the bookstore. It was only when I heard that it was something quite different, ironic perhaps, that I returned for a proper look. Any book whose protagonist dies midway through would be considered unusual; a children’s book where the dead protagonist’s journey continues for fifteen more pages until she achieves her heart’s desire is unique. At first glance Arlene Sardine seems similar to other books in the subversive species. “Easy-open book” and “NET WT. 12 OZ.” are printed right there on the cover, a quick reference to every can a sardine-eater has ever opened. While child readers may be unfamiliar with sardines, the story evokes for child and adult alike many a tale of fortitude. Just like The Little Engine That Could (or Ulysses, for that matter) the little fish Arlene single-mindedly (inasmuch as a fish, and a dead one at that, would have a mind) achieves her ultimate goal. To be a sardine.

I loved Arlene Sardine. What could be more subversive than taking on death, after all? I showed it to adult friends who also liked it, but we all wondered whether it was a book for children. Did they know enough about sardines, about personal growth books, or about death to get it? How developed was their sense of irony? I heard testimonials of successful readings with children. Some found it hilarious, others were saddened by Arlene’s death, and one group of fifteen-year-olds decided it was a book about suicide. Yet I was reluctant to use it with my own students. I knew them well, after all; I had watched them react to all kinds of books, many that were unusual, subtle, that demanded more of them than did the average children’s book. Yet Arlene Sardine seemed so deadpan, so dry; much more so than Squids Will Be Squids. I was afraid; I liked Arlene Sardine too much to have it flop with them. For some time the book sat on my desk at school while I tried to decide whether or not to read it to my class. Finally, my curiosity won out, and I convened a Chris Raschka week, ending with Arlene Sardine.

When I finished reading there was silence; not a giggle broke the total quiet. But looking around, I realized the silence was not one of sorrow. My students looked blank, confused. I waited in vain for a raised hand, a blurted-out comment, anything. They’d had plenty to say about Raschka’s other books: sympathetically murmuring during my reading of Yo? Yes!, swaying to the sounds ofCharlie Parker Played Be Bop, intently scrutinizing the structure of Mysterious Thelonious, and singing along with Simple Gifts. But now, nothing. Finally, as the silence stretched out and the children became restless, I asked if they had anything to say. No. Evidently they did not. When two boys began rolling around the floor completely uninterested, I gave up; these were usually very opinionated children and I saw no point in forcing them to speak about Arlene Sardine if they didn’t want to.

Looking back, I have to wonder if this was a mismatch between book and age level. While others seemed to get something out of Arlene Sardine, my nine-and ten-year-old students were just confused. They had no idea how to react. Were they supposed to laugh? Somehow that didn’t seem right for a book where the main character dies. Were they supposed to cry? Yet the book seemed so bright, so happy, that somehow that didn’t seem right either. Caught between two competing responses, this group of children opted for none. Arlene Sardine was a club that they didn’t want to join.

Fast forward to 2013 when I revisited the book and then to this week. My 4th grade class had gotten such a kick out the ending to Cece Bell’s I Yam a Donkey that I thought they might appreciate the dark humor of Arlene Sardine. It turns out I was right. To a child the class burst out laughing when — spoiler! — Arlene expired midway through the book. And so today I went on with one more such book, Tadpole’s Promise. Again — guffaws and laughter — it was another hit.

I am actually so curious about this. Is it just this group of kids (as I thought years ago when first trying Arlene Sardine out on various groups)? Or are they already far more familiar with this sort of humor in their books?  I have no clue other than to suggest all three of these as subversive and extremely fun read-alouds for the right group of kids.

International Children’s Books Considered

Yesterday I attended “Where the Wild Books Are” at the New School here in NYC. Organizers Etienne Delessert and Steven Guarnaccia (who have both created some of my favorite books of all time) put together a very worthwhile Saturday afternoon (important because we were all in a dark auditorium on a spectacularly beautiful spring day).

Things opened with children’s literature expert Leonard S. Marcus giving an historical overview of international children’s books in the American publishing world. He was followed by Betsy Bird who spoke of her experience at the Bologna Book fair and then, to give a feel for the challenge of bringing more international books into the US, provided some comments made by librarians in her work in response to a series of such books.

Next came several academics reading papers on the books of different European countries. I enjoyed Denise von Stockar’s overview of Swiss and German books, no doubt because I’m German and thus much was familiar to me, but also because it was full of captivating material. Christine Pu gave an informative overview of French illustrators followed by the University of Bologna’s Georgia Grilli who did an outstanding presentation on Italian illustrators. I loved the way she situated her talk in the way so many have taken on Pinocchio, a classic that holds the same place in Italy that Alice in Wonderland does in England. But she also showed us other topics too, say a fascinating glimpse at children’s books under WWII fascism. I came away from these talks with a list of books I want to track down.

After a break we saw a lovely movie by the unique Indian publishing venture, Tara Books. I’ve written about their books before here — they are gorgeous, highly original, handcrafted works, often featuring the art of local people in Chennai, where they are located. This was followed by a terrific video presentation on the Asian publishing world by Junko Yokota (she is currently on a Fullbright in Poland and there wasn’t, sadly, the funding for her to come in person), a renowned specialist in international books. Later several people spoke with surprise at the huge range of Asian publishing, that they hadn’t realized how large it was. (Speaks to our tremendous isolation from the rest of the world, publishing-wise, doesn’t it?)

Lastly was a panel moderated by Steven Guarnaccia and featuring Claudia Bedrick of Enchanted Lion (a fabulous independent publisher here in NYC known for her international perspective), David Macaulay (one of the coolest book creators around –he even did a TED Talk), and Etienne Delessert.

I got so much out of the day, but do have two suggestions if it happens again. First of all, I would love to see an even greater variety of speakers from all parts of the world, ideally in person. And then, the only time the audience was invited to participate was at the end with the panel. Providing that opportunity with each of the speakers would have been most interesting too. But otherwise I’m glad I was there (and given that it was a spectacularly beautiful day outside it wasn’t easy to be inside!).

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Brian Floca going for some wine (and perhaps the chocolate and bread as well) at the reception.

During the reception Sophie Blackall pulled out some unique Guinness potato chips out of her Mary Poppins-ish bag  — they were surprisingly tasty, far better than Sophie’s face suggest, not too heavily lagerish, that is.  (Sophie, I hope you will forgive me, but I did just love you sharing them with us:)

And then two great men (I’m between them) — Neal Porter and David Macaulay (and is that perchance a complete loaf of crusty bread  in your jacket, Mr. Macaulay?) .

2015 Children’s Africana Book Award Winner is…

Andrea Pinkney’s The Red Pencil!  I reviewed this fine book for the New York Times and am delighted to see this. Congratulations, Andrea and Little Brown Books for Young Readers!

More on the BBC’s adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Thanks, Vickester51Corner, for alerting me to an informative write-up of the preview of the forthcoming series here.

Book-Shame

But the truth is that those of us who feel book-shame are probably worrying too much. Most people neither notice nor care what others are reading.

The above is from Charles McGrath in “Is There Anything One Should Feel Ashamed of Reading?.” And I’m now thinking — is there anything I’d be ashamed to be seen reading? Not really. That said, I love reading on my Ipad largely because I am a very fast reader and it allows me to have at my finger tips tons to read, but a secondary aspect is the privacy aspect. I like deciding who sees what I read, good stuff or bad. But I like control a lot of what people know about me. There isn’t much, blog readers may have noticed, about me personally here, for example. That said, privacy doesn’t always apply to children. That is, while we adults may care or not about what we read, many of us care a lot about what kids read. Some, in fact, make them feel all too embarrassed for their choices. And that is indeed a shame.

Thinking About International Children’s Books

I’m really looking forward to this free event next Saturday, April 18th:

Where the Wild Book Are 

An event exploring and celebrating international picture books and the publishing industry, emphasizing their role in promoting global literacy and creativity.

Where the Wild Books Are was conceived by artist Etienne Delessert, who, along with author/illustrator and Parsons faculty Steven Guarnaccia, will present the event as a creative response to explore cultural trends and changes in the field of global publishing and their impact on the cultural literacy and the imaginative capacities of the next generation.

Join critics, authors, illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators from Europe, the United States, and beyond as they introduce audience members to a diverse array of important picture books published in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Japan. Take part in a lively exchange on the ethical, commercial, and aesthetic dimensions of the evolving global publishing scene.

Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
The Auditorium at 66 West 12th Street, Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall
66 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011

More information and registration here.

Thoughts on Newbery: If I Could Change One Rule

Here’s my comment on Betsy Bird’s provocative post of today: “If you could change any rule…”

More awards are certainly all well and good, but the Newbery is the biggie out there (for better or worse it is the only one most know) and therefore as I’ve argued many times before, I’d like its criteria to change to be positive about the way art and design propel the storytelling. A graphic novel award will not keep the Newbery Committee from continuing to grapple with the current negative criteria* regarding more boundary-breaking works. Seems to me their energy should not be expended in contortions to make a less-conventionally-produced story fit, but rather in its quality. (El Deafo’s Honor this year does not prove that the criteria is fine as is. It happens to have text that does work without the images beautifully, but that isn’t always the case. And so, why should works like El Deafo be the only ones to have a chance?)

*The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

In the Classroom: Cultural Norms

Because we are living abroad, my kids have lots of inevitable small embarrassments during the day due to being international students and being out of linguistic and cultural step. Consequently, my husband and I are really conscious of making sure they have the “right” things with them when we can. The thing is, there are so many unarticulated things that cultural insiders just know and that no one thinks to tell you.

That is from Marika Seigel‘s  thoughtful article, “On Being the Mom of ‘the Foreign Kid.'” (Thanks to Pooja Makhijani for posting it on facebook.) It reminded me of situations I encountered during my time in various German schools as a child. (My father was a specialist in German politics as well as originally German and so we spent a couple of years there at different points in my youth.)  In one case, I was to sing a song with some others in my second grade class for a Christmas performance. I knew I was to wear a party dress, but it was only when I got there that I discovered that all the others were wearing white dresses while I was in blue. We were, I learned, meant to be snowflakes.

I think the article is something that we in the US should take to heart too. Those cultural norms are all over the place. For example, my school had Pajama Day this past Thursday. Most of the girls in my 4th grade class excitedly came to school all dressed up in pajamas. None of the boys opted to participate nor did one of the girls who prefers to hang out with the boys. One child at our morning meeting said something along the lines of being offended by those who decided not to participate. I firmly pointed out the problem with that statement and she got it. I’m actually glad she said it as it gave me a chance to point out why it was so important to not make anyone feel self-conscious about how they participated or if they did. And then I thought back to my childhood and how problematic it would have been for me. I wouldn’t have had the right sort of pajamas (my mother didn’t shop local), I’d have worried that they weren’t pretty/new/etc enough. In fact, I’d have been a wreck about this whole day. So being the foreign kid can be as simple as being not part of the dominant school culture, whatever it is.