What I’m Doing at Kirkus This Week;
Or, Getting Creative With the Word “Best”
August 12th, 2011 by jules
This morning over at my Kirkus column, I’m considering—in a somewhat creative (okay, maybe goofy) manner—my 9 to 12 favorite picture book titles thus far in 2011. When Kirkus asked me to do my “best of” list, I was hesitant to do a straight-up, traditional “bests” list. And that’s for different reasons that I explain over in the column, but one reason I don’t mention is … well, see this?
I saw this about two days ago, after submitting my column, and thought HOLY WOW. (The illustrations are a force of nature, so to speak.) So, yeah. That. I knew, when composing my “bests” lists, that I simply haven’t seen all of 2011’s top picture books. No, really. I blog about picture books and illustration, and my house is about to fall over with stacks and stacks of picture books, but I can’t see them all. I’m sure there are some stunners I’ve missed here and missed there and missed all around me.
So, all that’s to say I just got kind of silly … um, creative … in composing the 9 to 12 list. (And OF COURSE I did 12. I’ll always take the larger number.) But what it boils down to, silly or not, is that those are my favorites from the year. My favorites from what I’ve managed to see.
And for those of you who have asked if I’ll share the picture book titles I mentioned at this workshop in Knoxville, Tennessee? Well, these titles over at Kirkus were some of the first I mentioned in my presentation (though I covered many more there).
The link is here this morning.
As for what I did at Kirkus last week, don’t miss yesterday’s interview with Tim Egan, a sort of follow-up to last week’s column.
I love your halfway-through-2011 list of favorite picture books, Julie. I have read more than half, and am delighted with that. I have even posted a number. I look ahead to seeing the ones I have missed and to your end of the year list of favorites, as always. Thanks for your enthusiasm always and for the inspiration you share.
I *heart* Beth Krommes. I can’t wait to see this book! I’ll go check out your other faves, Jules.
I am now singing, “Reading 9 to 12…” to the tune of 9 to 5.
GO JULES.
Jules, You are a sneaky one fitting in more than ten books. I like your approach, too. It truly is hard to pick The One and Only Best.
Although I Must Have Bobo maybe is that.