7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #449: Featuring Silvia Borando
September 13th, 2015 by jules
I’ve got a review over at BookPage of Silvia Borando’s Black Cat, White Cat, originally published in Italy last year. This English translation comes to us by way of Candlewick Press (August 2015).
The review is here, and below is a bit more art from the book.
Enjoy!
BLACK CAT, WHITE CAT. Text copyright © 2014 by TIWI s.r.l. English translation copyright © 2015 by Walker Books, Ltd. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA on behalf of Walker Books, London.
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) We took a short weekend trip to Tennessee’s aquarium in Chattanooga.
2) Jellyfish are strangely comforting.
3) As long as there’s a barrier between them and me.
4) I’ve been watching Colbert on the Late Show all week, which is a commitment for me, because I don’t normally stop what I’m doing to tune into a network show. But it’s been entertaining, and I like how he’s consistently had guests who aren’t just celebrity actors.
5) Showing the girls Clue, circa 1985:
6) Playing Graceland for my girls.
7) I don’t have a seventh kick. The news is depressing to me. Trump, Kim Davis. Well, that’s enough. Plus, I’ve family and friends who are sick and struggling. Who has got some REALLY great kicks for me? Who’s got some beauty, some truth, some light?
What a fun book. I love the use of black and white. Thanks for sharing Sylvia Brando’s work. Indeed kick worthy.
Jules, I have DVRed the Stephen Colnert. It’s such a smart show. Funny. I get your seventh. So I hope my kicks will help your spirits.
1. A third grader asked for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe.
2. The book, Counting by Seven’s.
3. A gift of a poetry novel arc in the mail.
4. Coffee with friends yesterday.
5. Getting my office organized bit by bit.
6. Fresh, juicy peaches.
7. Cooler mornings.
Have a great week.
Jone, we’ve actually had cooler mornings too, and that’s been really nice. … I read Counting by 7s for my book club when it came out. Good stuff. Isn’t it going to be adapted to film?
Have a good week, Jone!
Okay, I looked, Jone: http://deadline.com/2014/09/quvenzhane-wallis-counting-by-7s-beasts-of-the-southern-wild-843614/. I didn’t just imagine that. I hope it’s good.
p.s. I bet my 11-year-old would really love Hitchhiker’s Guide. Thanks for the reminder.
Good morning, Imps!
The cat artwork immediately put a smile on my face. Thanks, Silvia (and Jules)!
Jules: Truth is beautiful, and you can get some light from the “Flames! Flames on the side of my face!” 😉
My kicks from the past week:
1) Opportunity
2) Auditions
3) Performances
4) In print
5) In hand
6) Positivity
7) Words
This week’s book recommendation: Go get EDGEWATER by Courtney Sheinmel! Review at my blog! 🙂
Yes, LW, I will use Madeline Kahn for the light. … Break a leg at any and all auditions!
Hey gang!
What a beautiful looking book.
I’m popping in for some quick kicks.
1. I just finished a 5K to raise money for childhood cancer research. It is run by a local firefighter and his family. Every year it is done around 9/11 as a day of service/community event that always reminds me that there is more good than bad in the world.
2. Love wins
3. Family fun in Provincetown including salt water taffy.
4. Cute kids
5. Hugs
6. Dancing
7. Love, love, love
Have a great day everyone and don’t let the b**tards get you down.
xo
Haven’t been kicking for a while, but it is good to be back!
1. I have a great new job in a small college library as Reference librarian, and I love it!
2. There was a wedding in church this morning, in the middle of the service, just like a baptism, and it was beautiful. So sweet and simple. That’s the way churches used to do it all the time and it was really lovely. Reception after was a big potluck lunch. Sweet!
3. Cool breezes
4. Crickets
5. My commute is shorter so I have more time in the morning. Guys, putting the kids on the school bus ROCKS.
6. Marching band. Srsly. MARCHING BAND.
7. My seventh grader went to his first middle school dance on Friday. He loved it and danced every dance. So fun to hear him talk about it after. 🙂
Thanks for letting me gush. I hope you all find some rest and some joy today.
Oh, this is excellent in it’s simplicity and brevity. Or did I repeat myself…
You asked for kicks, I’m kicking in.
1. Sardines and blueberries added to my dog’s breakfast
2. Spider webs glistening in the rain
3. Sketching rats and cats
4. Reading an email of encouragement
5. Everything pretty much works
6. Coffee
7. Imp
Moira: Congrats on the 5K. Your first kick is just what we need to read today.
Andi! Those are good kicks of someone living a good, rich life. I love your last kick, in particular.
Wendy, “everything pretty much works.” I love that so much.
Thanks, all, for the kicky kicks.
Love the black/white contrast in this week’s illustrations.
Jules – Aquariums can be so fun and soothing. So can short trips away. Graceland=Love. My parents were in love with that album and so whenever I hear any of the songs it brings back happy memories – especially You Can Call Me Al.
Jone – A 3rd grader? Oh my, love those books. All the Agrajag scenes make me howl with laughter every single time. Yay for cooler mornings, coffee with friends, and an organized office.
LW – this week I don’t think I can pick a favorite of yours – they all go together so well! I do especially like the order of 3,4,5, & 6 though!
Moira – yay for fun with family, a 5k for kids cancer research, & hugs, dancing & love!
Andromeda – love the simple wedding & short commutes & great new job. But kick 7 is so awesome!
Wendy – spider webs glistening in the rain are so magical. Sardines & blueberries sound like a good combo for the dog, I’ll have to try it with mine. Coffee is always a kick. And I’m in love with your “everything pretty much works” kick.
My kicks this week:
1) Fresh red & white roses on my table.
2) Front walkway poured this week & it makes me so happy! Now to start planning how to landscape the front yard with native shrubs & flowers.
3) This tap routine from SYTYCD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTr7pUFgEEw
4) The Leon Bridges Tiny Desk Concert.
5) Made margaritas for a friend in exchange for her helping me reorganize/redesign my home office. It’s a work in progress, but having concrete direction helps.
6) Was feeling mentally stuck for some reason & it finally lifted Friday/Saturday, leading to super productive weekend workwise & lifewise.
7 & 7 1/2) The Colbert interview with Joe Biden was so moving. And the Storycorps 9/11 project has moved me to tears but in a good way – all the stories are about love, and carrying on that love and goodness, which makes me feel pretty hopeful about humans.
One more to cheer you up Jules – these 2 Seattle sisters who sent a balloon into space, complete with a picture of their cat Loki.
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/two-seattle-girls-launched-a-balloon-to-the-edge-of-space-this-weekend-and-have-the-video-to-prove-it/
Have a hopeful week all! Hang in there!
Jules: Madeline Kahn is awesome. Have you seen her performance in Paper Moon? Thanks for the support!
Moira: Congratulations on the 5K! That is admirable!
Welcome back, Andromeda.
Wendy: Three cheers for things working.
Rachel: Good luck with your lovely garden and walkway.
Kicks for the past week:
1. Beethoven’s piano sonatas, as recorded by Wilhelm Kempff. I loaned my Richard Goode recordings to my colleague, Kim; he’s loaned me his Kempff recordings. I’m enjoying them. The late sonatas (28-32) are some of my favorite pieces of music.
2. Max Richter’s Sleep (8 hours) and From Sleep (the 1-hour version); the former is to be listened to while asleep, and the latter while awake. If you’ve any interest in minimalist classical lullabies, check these out.
3. Miss Fisher’s Mysteries. Just watched the first episode of the first season (available via Netflix): recommended!
4. As you have been, I’m really digging Stephen Colbert’s Late Show. If you haven’t seen the full performance of Paul Simon’s “American Tune,” check it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpTcLUDorRI
5. The Danish police officer playing with the little girl (a refugee) gives me some hope for humankind: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/09/11/danish-officer-syrian-girl_n_8122604.html
6. The Iowa Review’s special “children’s literature” issue will be out any day now. It features contributions from Shaun Tan, Jeanne Birdsall, and… me! (And many others.) I’m looking forward to seeing it out in the world, and sharing it with other children’s lit folks.
7. John McPhee’s essay on what to leave out, when writing, is excellent: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/09/14/omission?mbid=social_twitter
Rachel, thanks for the link-age. I always wished I’d learned tap. I also felt mentally stuck this week. Glad it lifted for you and hope we both have a better week this week. OH MY GOSH, those two girls give me hope for the future. Thanks for sharing that about Loki. I’ve gotta show my girls later.
LW: Nope, haven’t seen that, but I’ve decided to do a Madeline Kahn watch-a-thon — once I finish my Ian McKellen one.
Phil: Thanks, in particular, for the Netflix recommendation. And thanks for the Paul Simon link. I full-on fell for Colbert’s joke that night — that is, that a tribute cover band would be playing. I told my husband we should turn it off after he interviewed Stephen King, but he told me we should stick it out to the end. Glad I did. Congrats on kick #6! I’ll have to find a copy.
Thanks for sharing good news and info, everyone.
Jules: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is an Australian show, set in the late 1920s in Melbourne — though *some* of the music sounds more 1930s than 1920s. (A minor quibble.)
I have a blog post on The Iowa Review issue ready to go, as soon as it drops — which will be some time this month. Some content will be available on-line, but most will not. I’ve read two of the other contributions, and I think people will enjoy ’em! Plus art from Shaun Tan!
Hi Jules, I am late to kicks this week and am headed up to bed but just wanted to pop in and say that I am thinking of you. You sound a bit sad here and on FB. Sending hugs your way!
Thanks, Stacey! I’m good. The news is DEPRESSING, so I appreciate everyone’s kicks. Have a good week!