7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #314: Featuring Priya Kuriyan
January 20th, 2013 by jules
I’m doing something different this Sunday.
Usually, I feature artwork from an illustrator, but today I’m shining the spotlight on International Book Giving Day, which has its own Web presence here and which will be February 14. I like the official poster, featured above, which has artwork from Priya Kuriyan.
Here’s the low-down on the big day, straight from their Web site:
“International Book Giving Day is a volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books. International Book Giving Day’s focus is on encouraging people worldwide to give a book to a child on February 14th. We invite individuals to 1) give a book to a friend or family member, 2) leave a book in a waiting room for children to read, or 3) donate a gently used book to a local library, hospital or shelter or to an organization that distributes used books to children in need internationally. In addition, we encourage people to support the work of nonprofit organizations (i.e. charities) that work year round to give books to children.”
I think that’s just about the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day.
Dear Imps, feel free, if you’re so inclined, to spread the word about this initiative. If you or other people you know even want ideas on how to contribute further, there are some great ideas listed here. (You can even purchase bookplates at the International Book Giving Day Zazzle page.)
P.S. Travis Jonker’s post about this is way more fun.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) I spoke to some second graders at a school in Nashville this week. They have dynamite teachers, who are talking to them about the Caldecott Award, and the students are all voting for their favorite picture books. We talked about our favorite 2012 titles, and it was great fun. (I did this at the same school last year, and I’m impressed every time. These students are so lucky to have the smart teachers they have, teachers who enjoy picture books.)
2) While talking, one of the students mentioned this 2012 book from Oliver Jeffers, and I suddenly remembered this video he made, which I’d seen the day before. So, I showed the second graders, and they laughed and laughed, especially at Mr. Jeffers’ attempts to capture lunch:
3) Last Sunday, I tuned in to part of the Golden Globes—I think the commercials quite possibly made me stupider (I realized, as I watched, that I don’t really see lots of television ads in my life, and then I remembered why I avoid them)—and I saw Daniel Day Lewis’ acceptance speech. He said this to Tony Kushner, who wrote the screenplay for Lincoln: “Every day I have to live without the immeasurable wealth of your language, which reminds me every day of the impoverishment of my own.”
Classy.
4) Old Elliott Smith footage unearthed.
5) This blog post made me want to get out my Elbow CDs and re-discover them. So, I did. And I enjoyed them immensely.
The post is about starlings, and “Starlings” is only the name of what is, very possibly, the best Elbow song ever:
6) Look! It’s kicker and Children’s Literacy Consultant extraordinaire Stacey Loscalzo in Nashville Parent magazine, saying wise things (as she very often does)!
7) As I’ve said maybe seven thousand times before, I love the music of Lost in the Trees. I have all their CDs, save their very first. A thoughtful friend sent me a copy of it, and I can’t stop listening to it. You know how you sometimes wonder if a band’s debut CD is going to be disappointing when you first listen to it years after it was released and after you already know and love their later music?
Well, this is just as good as their other two CDs. I’m so glad they make music.
BONUS: Dinner with friends, who made this amazing soup. Really. I’m hard on the soups of the world, but this one was super delicious. I think it’s going to have to appear on my own kitchen table some time soon.
What are YOUR kicks this week?
Hurrah for International Book Giving Day! I definitely want to take part.
Jules: Glad you had fun discussing books with the kids!
This week’s kicklist contains seven lines of books I read, quotes from articles I read, dialogue from shows I watched, or lyrics from songs I listened to this week.
1) “I don’t want to just be tightening bolts and following instructions. I want something to be different because of me.” – Thirteen on the TV series House
2) “You should leave me behind / But what if it’s true, what they say / It’s better to endure love / Then to throw it away” – from the song In the Grey by The Good Mad
(Please listen to the song on YouTube, on TheGoodMad channel. I didn’t post it here because I know the spambots would eat my post if I did.)
3) “Don’t take the safe option. Write the character you want to write rather than the one you think people want to read.” – Melina Marchetta
4) “It’s about changing fate. It’s about hope.” – September on the series finale of Fringe
5) “Leslie rides on Ferris Wheels / Way up in the umbrella clouds / She is not afraid of falling / Out of favor with the crowds” – lyrics from the song Leslie by Nataly Dawn
6) “Initially you’re overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it’s like a wave. Resist, and you’ll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you’ll swim out the other side.” – Evelyn in the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
7) “For the most part things never get built the way they were drawn.” – Maya Lin, as quoted in the novel Return to Me by Justina Chen
I love the idea of International Book Giving day! I will have to look into book donation options from here.
That video was funny and interesting, Jules…and not just because of Oliver’s cute accent. What a thoughtful comment from Daniel Day Lewis.
LW I love the idea of combining quotes from a week! Well done on such an interesting combo. I will go listen to your suggested music.
I have a short list of kicks this week but they are goodies.
1. First up I have some happy news to share with the kickin community here – we are expecting a baby in late July this year! I feel very fortunate. And also I have been feeling great, no sickness at all.
2. A friend’s baby who has been sick is getting the treatment he needs and is improving fast
Hope you all have a good Sunday!
Wow! What a super week of kicks. My favorite line from the Golden Globes, fabulous idea to kick with quotes and a new baby on the way! Wow! And wow again- thank you Jules for including me as kick- I feel like such a lucky girl to call you a friend!
1. Sunshine after many, many cloudy days.
2. Navigating Early (I think?) If any of you have read it yet I would love to hear your thoughts on kid appeal?
3. The man who gave me the peace sign when I let him cross in front of me.
4. A long weekend
5. Plans to take the family skiing for the first time tomorrow. It will be my first time on skis in over 20 years. Fingers crossed.
6. ‘Wool’ by Hugh Howey. A friend recommended this free Kindle short story. Very thought provoking.
7. Sisters.
Thanks, Jules, for inviting people to celebrate International Book Giving Day!
I love Oliver Jeffers. This video is much funnier than the video I shared at my blog. I love it. Also, I have been on the lookout for a good source of stories to tell for my storytelling class — I need 3 — and this video has inspired me to consider some of Oliver Jeffers’ stories.
1. Fantastic family date last night. My kids are 3, 5 and 8, so going out with the kids is always a crapshoot. But, last night was so fun!
2. My running group. I was so busy this week that I didn’t feel like I had time to run with them. But, I still showed up for coffee after the run and it made my week.
3. Watching “That’s Entertainment” with the kids. LOVE that movie!
4. friends
5. family
6. running (Shoot! I haven’t done any of that this week!)
7. coffee
Also, had you heard of Priya Kuriyan before? I was excited to discover/be introduced to her. http://priyakuriyan.blogspot.com
Hello!
Book Giving Day is a great idea that I am happy to spread the news about as long as I still get chocolate on that day.
Jules – I love second graders, still little but old enough to read at bit. I’m getting sentimental with my rapidly growing 4th and 5th graders stretching out before my eyes.
Oliver Jeffers is totes adorbs.
LW – I’m all about #3 this week
emmaco – H O O R A Y ! Thanks for sharing the great news. I wish you continued good feelings and health.
Stacey – Congrats to you as well on your article, good advice.
Amy – thanksbetogod for coffee
Kicks
1. productive time in the studio
2. A shake up in our public school district makes me glad that I know so many great parents in our community.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. Cupcakes
4. fun mail
5. Time spent with a special needs senior forced me to slow down for a little while.
I’ll leave it a five today since I could use some Imp help over on my blog. I am putting together my portfolio for the upcoming SCBWI Winter Conference. I could use your help to make sure I’m not leaving a favorite out.
Thanks in advance.
Here’s the link: http://moiraswiatkowski.com/2013/01/20/a-little-help-from-my-friends/
emmaco: Congratulations! Sending your family loads of wonderful, healthy, happy thoughts. Best wishes for your friend’s baby as well.
Jules: I listened to Starlings while eating elbow macaroni. Though that’s the type of thing I would do on purpose, I assure you this was a coincidence.
Stacey: I thanked the sun more than once yesterday. It was so nice to see her. Have fun and be safe skiing!
Amy: Read your kicks as I was singing Leslie by Nataly Dawn and I was on the “run, run, little girl” line. Another example of my synchronistic life. Say hi to Gene Kelly for me.
Moira: A character of mine recently had the nerve to do something – to make a tough decision which had the potential to change things, even though she knew it could go horribly wrong. I hope it works out! My seven favorite portfolio pieces of yours – from those you posted there – are Faded, Sky, Mermaid, Explore, Shy, Book, and Braids. My top three, with books in mind, would be Book, Sky, and Faded.
Jules: Thanks for featuring International Book Giving Day. I love this idea. I would have loved to be in on your Caldecott chats with the kids. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.
Little Willow: Love the idea of quotes for kicks. In college we used to have a sheet of paper from the top of the door to the bottom with quotes from movies.
Emmaco: Baby! What great news!
Stacey: How cool the man gave you the Peace sign! A flash to the past.
Amy: Glad the family date night was a success.
Moira: Please to read of your successive studio time. My top three are Book, Mermaid and Sky. All are lovely though.
My kicks:
1. Time spent with students
2. Chatting with educators about passion for reading and books
3. A warm house and 4 cord of wood left to enjoy fires on snowy and windy days
4. New book releases
5. Fresh cuts flowers
6. My sweet Xena sleeping across my feet
7. Good friends
Yay for International Book Giving Day! There are definitely some kids I have in mind to celebrate with.
Jules – those are lucky kids to get to talk books with you! I’ll come back and check out the music…that soup looks super yummy. I am making my butternut & acorn squash soup this afternoon, but will put that on my list to try next.
LW – I like all your quotes, but especially 1 & 4.
emmaco – congrats! Yay for no morning sickness!
Stacey – have a great time skiing. Sunshine makes everything better.
Amy – glad family date night was a success! Mmm coffee.
Moira – productive studio time sounds amazing. My favorites are Faded, Sky, Space & Swamp.
Margie – a warm house, wood for a fire and a sleeping pup sounds like a perfect weekend.
My kicks this week:
1) Sunshine. It’s cold but the sunshine is amazing.
2) Brunch and a walk in the sun with a good girlfriend this morning. Always nice to make time to catch up.
3) Soccer last night. Close game, exhausting, and we played well together and rallied to win.
4) Yesterday afternoon at the dog park with Cole. Met some fun dog owners and we all took turns petting each others pups.
5) Gorgeous view of the sunset and fog in the trees from the park. Got some good pics of it on my phone.
6) Saw Silver Linings Playbook with a good friend. Sometimes we were laughing louder than the rest of the audience, it was very good. Jennifer Lawrence is very talented and I expect she’ll be working for a long time. Love DeNiro, always. And Bradley Cooper did a really great job.
7) Taking part in ApartmentTherapy ‘s January Cure – which is all about clearing up clutter and enjoying your home/apartment. If all I get from it is remembering to get fresh flowers every week, it’ll be worth it. Love fresh flowers in the house.
Have a great week every one!
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Little Willow: I LOVE WHAT YOU DID, and I’m gonna steal the idea one week. Okay? Okay!
Also, I shall post your video here. Take that, spam:
Did I get that right, LW? (The elbow macaroni comment made me laugh outloud, by the way. Also, I love that you thank the sun.)
EMMACO,
That is also very great news about your friend’s baby. I am crazy-excited for you, though, and I can’t get over that! Yay! So glad you’re not feeling ill, too.
And late July? That is very soon! SQUEE!
Stacey, the lucky-friend feeling is mutual … Have fun skiing, and be safe! Also, I haven’t read any of the things you mentioned. I’m not helpful here. But I’ll look them up.
Amy, thanks for asking me to be a part of it. Glad Family Night was fun *and* went smoothly.
Oh, and yes, I’d visited Priya’s blog. Good stuff. I linked to her blog, too, in this post.
Moira: I like your chocolate-related conditions for book-giving day. … I can’t wait to hear about your SCBWI experience. That’s in NYC, right? Very, very soon?
Margie, kick #2 is one of the things I miss the most about being full-time in a school library. Your colleagues are so lucky to have *you* to chat with.
Rachel, what a good week it seems like you had. Good friends, good food, fresh flowers, Cole, and soccer. I’m making baby steps in cleaning up clutter. It’s hard, but so worth it.
Have a great week, all …
Er, that marquee tag is sort of annoying, isn’t it? I didn’t mean to be annoying! I’m just excited for emmaco.
You guys are awesome! Thanks for your input. I’m excited to go to NY in a couple of weeks.
The marquee is so worth the news (not annoying).
Wow, a marquee! Thanks, Jules! And to everyone else for their good wishes.
Moira, are you talking about cupcakes FOR a Martin Luther King Jr holiday, or are there special types of cupcakes that everyone makes that day? (I suspect the former given the lack of recipes for the latter when googling). And thanks for letting us give our opinions on the pictures, even if I feel bad for the ones I loved but that didn’t get into my top three.
Rachel, apartment therapy sounds like a great idea. I feel like we’re verrrry slowly winning the clutter battle – maybe I should get some fresh flowers to help us feel inspired!
Stacey, hope the skiing went well. I love your seventh kick.
Amy a family fun date sounds like a great idea.
I make marble (chocolate & vanilla) cupcakes with chocolate frosting, topped with a colorful spice drop and send them to school with the kids on the day the class studies MLK. This is a tradition in our family. I do hope someday it will become the national treat for the holiday.
Moira, I love this idea.
So love this idea! Books can be so powerful, and we must get GOOD books into the hands of as many young children as possible!
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