Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Don’t believe me? I’m that self-proclaimed Blogger Who Speaks in Hyperbole, so I don’t blame you. But, really and truly here are two picture books from ’06 that you don’t want to miss.

For the record, I promise I read things other than fiction picture book titles. But oh my, there are more from ’06 to keep talking about, so here we go with two stand-out titles that I’m just getting around to reviewing, one which was just released this past December.

This is a perfectly uncluttered, perfectly simple, perfectly perfect little book that I wish I had made {slapping myself on forehead now}. Seriously, not that it’s so simple that a dolt like me could have created it, mind you. I don’t mean that. I mean that Portis makes it look effortless, though I’m sure it wasn’t. And oh is it clever, too. It is even designed to look like a box, what with its brown cover and back and end papers and its net weight printed on the front and a “this side up” on the back.

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{One more update: Round-up is here. Thanks, Elaine!} . . .

{Update: I don’t know who’s doing the ‘ol round-up today, but it doesn’t matter. I do, however, want to direct readers to Chicken Spaghetti’s Poetry Friday entry, which is here. She links to “No Nightmares, Please: Why is so much children’s poetry filled with sadism and doom?,” written by Jeff Gordinier at the Poetry Foundation’s site. It’s ever-so funny. Enjoy! And thanks for the link, Susan} . . .

I’ll be honest. Poetry Friday just snuck up on me and slapped me upside the head. The fact that it’s Friday just surprised me. What can I say? I’m still in holiday mode, and every day feels like Saturday.

So even though I admittedly scrounged for this, I still bring it to you with admiration. I read this recently in the introduction to either Liz Rosenberg’s edited anthology of Earth-Shattering Poems (1998) or 2000’s Light-Gathering Poems (both published by Henry Holt). I really should be able to tell you which one, but I didn’t make note. Nevertheless, it stuck with me:

If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?

And those, my friends, are the words of Emily Dickinson. Happy Poetry Friday. As for me, I’m off to get coffee and try to settle into the day (which I now accept is Friday).

I like to go and visit the blog of author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka (“the JJK blog”) when I have the time. He’s funny and I wanna hang out with him. It’s that simple. I mean, just look at this Christmas tree he and his sister and brother and cousin did up one year (and here are some other creative ones).

I also, of course, get handy-dandy tidbits ‘o information on his blog. I think I squealed when I read that he’s just finished Punk Farm on Tour and that it will be hitting bookstores and libraries everywhere in the fall of ’07 (if you haven’t read Punk Farm, why then there’s a hole in your life. Run now to the nearest library or bookstore and experience it). And he sometimes generously writes about other authors and/or illustrators and their new titles on his blog. Thanks to one of his posts about Cowboy Ned and Andy by David Ezra Stein (published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books; July 2006), I was eager to go pick up a copy. And what a treat it is to read . . .

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I’ve had a mental list of picture book titles that I want to talk about a bit, but the holidays have kept me from my reviews of them. But the egg nog’s gone, and the James Brown Christmas tunes have been — once again — put back into the stack of Christmas CDs. (God rest his kinetic soul, I might add. And it’s not related to book reviews, but in his honor and memory, I present to you the cover of this, the best holiday CD ever).

So, now that the holidays are over, let’s get right to it — some of the entertaining and for-one-reason-or-another wonderful fiction picture book titles of ’06 that I never got around to. Some of them have been highlighted and reviewed well on kidlitosphere blogs Eisha and I like to frequent, but I’d be all amiss if I didn’t mention them myself.

A Particular Cow by Mem Fox and illustrated by Terry Denton (published by Harcourt Children’s Books; September 2006) — This is a peculiar and quirky little title. But, hey, it works. There is, you see, a particular cow who goes for a particular walk. Usually, on her walks, nothing in particular happens. ‘Til today. The chaos begins when she ends up with a pair of bloomers on her head, bloomers that have fallen from a clothesline. Then, since she’s temporarily blinded, she stumbles into a mailman’s cart. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s finally here! The shortlists for the Cybil Awards have been announced. Head on over to the Cybil site to find out the titles that made the shortlists in each category.

Eisha served on the nominating committee for the Poetry category, and yours truly read the over-one-hundred titles that were nominated in the Picture Book (Fiction) category. Oh twist twist my arm. The work was so onerous for me {insert biting sarcasm here. I loved every minute of it. If you can’t already tell from my picture-book-heavy posts on this here blawg, I’m a Picture Book Luvah}.

Thanks to Kelly at Big A little a and Anne at Book Buds for the very existence of the Cybils and all their work that got us to this point. Eisha and I both enjoyed our committee work and talkin’ titles with all our committee members. ‘Twas an honor.

Happy new year to all.

I’ve had in my possession for many weeks now (as in, it’s now technically overdue at the library; I hang my librarian-head in shame) The Deaf Musicians by the legendary Pete Seeger and the poet Paul Dubois Jacobs with illustrations by
R. Gregory Christie (published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in October of this year). I’m finally getting around to my review. I can’t let this one slide.

Can someone give me an amen? As a sign language interpreter myself (what I did for a living before becoming a librarian), of course I’m going to be drawn to this book, but with that aside, it works on many levels and for many ages as the snazzy, finger-snappin’, thought-provoking title that it is. Read the rest of this entry »

{Note: Head here to read this week’s Poetry Friday round-up at A Chair, A Fireplace & a Tea Cozy . . . in which Liz awards me a prize for the “longest introduction that has nothing to do with the actual book” and a “bonus link to a video of Choppin Broccoli”!} . . .

So, yes, it’s the last Poetry Friday of ’06. You’d think I’d have some poignant farewell or new beginnings-themed poem for you (anyone else remember the Dana Carvey-era Saturday Night Live and his amusing parody of the acutely untalented but pompous rock star? His name was Derek, and he had a passionate rendition of a really bad song, made up on the spot, called “Choppin’ Broccoli”? In one episode I remember, there’s a medley featuring the “Choppin’ Broccoli” wonder in which he bangs on the piano and randomly sings “new beginnings . . . new beginnings . . .” Alas, I cannot find it online anywhere. And, wow, that is my Best Digression Yet — not to mention I’ve really dated myself now).

Anyway, I feel like for our Poetry Fridays — when it’s my turn, that is — I only review rhyming picture books anymore, but allow me to do it one more time. I’ve been reading, reading, and reading some more for the committee work I’m doing for the Cybils Award (Fiction Picture Books committee), and there are several nominated titles that I’ve yet to discuss but want to tell you about. So, this week for Poetry Friday, I’ll tell you about one Cybil-nominated title that happens to be a rhyming text. It’s a ‘lil charmer, too . . .

The Prince’s Bedtime written by Joanne Oppenheim and illustrated by Miriam Latimer; published by Barefoot Books, September 2006 — It’s bedtime in a faraway kingdom, and one stubborn, little prince refuses to go to sleep. Looking for some sort of cure, the King goes so far as to send forth a royal request: “If anyone knows how to make the prince rest, please come at once to the royal address.” Having already rejected his mother’s silk quilt, the cook’s cookies, and the maid’s hot milk, he stays on his stubborn course and rejects the physician’s medicine; Read the rest of this entry »

We promised, and now we deliver: Jules and Eisha will now turn our powerful intellects and rapier wits to discussing the 2006 winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume One: The Pox Party, by M.T. Anderson.

Usually we’d begin with a summary of the plot for those who haven’t read it yet, then go on to discuss the merits and pitfalls of the work while trying to avoid spoilers. But I’m going to declare right now: if you haven’t read it, but think you will, you probably shouldn’t read this. I think the more you know about this book in advance, the more damage you do to your experience of reading it. I’ll just tell you this: if you’re the least bit curious or interested, READ IT. Whether you end up liking it or not, whether you agree that it works as young adult literature or not, this book is worth at least an attempt at reading it for yourself. Even if it doesn’t move you, it will definitely make you think.

Beware, intrepid reader. There be Spoilers beyond these waters. You have been warned.

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*{Note: Head on over to A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy for this week’s Poetry Friday round-up} . . .

Hello, strangers. Remember me? The OTHER Seven Impossible blogger? It’s been kind of a crazy couple of months for me, and I know I’ve been kinda scarce around here. But it’s my turn to do Poetry Friday and I told Julie earlier this week that, sure, no problem, I had it covered. Well… I’m supposed to embark on a two-day, 1000+ mile road trip to see the family (and Julie!) in about 12 hours, and I haven’t packed. Or wrapped my presents. Or even read the books I said I was going to review for PF today. That’s pretty much how I roll.

So… here’s what I’m doing instead. I’m sharing a poem – a sweet, short little poem, that seems like a nice way to commemorate a journey. It’s “Poem” by Thomas McGrath. It’s so short I’m just going to give you the whole thing, and hope that the copyright police have a little holiday spirit about it:

How could I have come so far?
(And always on such dark trails?)
I must have traveled by the light
Shining from the faces of all those I have loved.

For all the other holiday travelers, I wish you a safe and happy journey. To Julie – thank you so much for keeping this blog going with almost no help from me. And to Blaine, thanks for your expert tech support and general coolness. To everyone who reads, comments, and/or links to us on your own blogs – thank you, it is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of such a dedicated and talented community. And Happy Holidays to all.

Jules here. I hope Eisha doesn’t mind me tacking something on here. Since she’ll be travelling (and coming to see me — woo hoo!) and we’ll all be busy with the holidays (hey, my oldest is almost three years old and she really “gets” the holidays now, so this year it’s more exciting than ever), we probably won’t be too busy on this here blawg. So, I just wanted to say a quick Happy Holidays to all, too. I’ll be celebrating and reading Tomie DePaola’s Christmas Remembered, which I’ve already started and am enjoying (and it’s not poetry, but I’m just tagging along for the ride here on Eisha’s Poetry Friday post). We will soon post a co-review we did of M.T. Anderson’s Octavian, and it’s long enough to tide you over during the holidays (when we co-review, we tend to get a bit chatty and informal and, well, just downright garrulous); I know you’re waiting with bated breath. Hee hee. Happy Holidays to all, especially the kidlitosphere community. — Jules

I think I’ve mentioned before that post titles are not my strength . . .

Let’s take a moment to look at another new holiday picture book title that will intrigue the wee ones. Originally published in Great Britain in 2005, we now have Tiger Tales, an imprint of ME Media, to thank for the 2006 U.S. publication of I’ve Seen Santa!, written by David Bedford and illustrated by Tim Warnes.

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