Curious touches referencing the first movie given the improved CGI technologies of today. Only see bits here so looking forward to the full movie for that and much more, of course. I mean: Dick Van Dyke! Meryl Streep! Angela Lansbury! Lin Manuel Miranda! Colin Firth! I could go on and on.
Now, Roald Dahl’s Matilda – the most powerful female genius ever to be underestimated by a hammer-throwing headmistress – has been portrayed for the first time as a 30-year-old woman in a series of eight sketches by Dahl’s long-time illustrator and friend Quentin Blake.
Go take a look here!
There is no better way to get some autumn inspiration than attending Bank Street College’s annual Bookfest. On Saturday, October 20th, it is full of wonderful speakers, panels, and discussions.
The Center for Children’s Literature at Bank Street College is thrilled to announce the program for the 47th annual BookFest! This will be BookFest’s 9th year at Bank Street. Our keynote speaker will be the delightful and humorous Newbery Honor winner, Adam Gidwitz, author of The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog.
I’m excited to be back leading a book discussion, this time on Heroic Activists. You can see the full program and register here.
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Just discovered this among Audibles’ new releases and will be listening to it on my way to work today. Can’t wait!
Here’s the description:
Joey Pigza wants to win! In this audio-only adventure, Jack Gantos’s beloved hero races back into kids’ hearts with a tale about running, perseverance, and life’s inevitable crashes.
Despite his beat-up old shoes and struggles with ADHD, Joey won’t let anything hold him back – after all, he’s the lightning-fast champion of schoolyard races. But when a high-speed collision leaves him with a dented head and more problems than ever, can our infectiously impulsive hero overcome his hurdles and race to the top?
In this zany and surprisingly inspiring listen, perfect for kids ages 8 and up, our chaotic hero realizes he can’t outrun his troubles. Joining him this time around in a series of hyperactive hijinks are his eccentric Granny and his ever-faithful Chihuahua, Pablo. Written and performed by the multi-talented Jack Gantos, and delivered in a wildly energetic voice, this gem is full of the hilarity and heart that made the Joey Pigza creator a Newbery Award-winning children’s book icon.
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Whether they are nostalgic reveries of those who came long ago to this nation of immigrants, or the brutal nightmares of worldwide millions fleeing war, violence and persecution today, memories of migration matter. Telling these stories seems more important than ever — even, and some might say especially, to children. A wave of picture books has arrived to help with this difficult task.
I had the great privilege to review six timely migration-centered picture books for the New York Times, Please check them out here.
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educating alice 