what books to weed

Did you read this cool NYT article from various writers, etc. on which books they plan to weed this year? If not you can read more here.

One thing everyone seems to agree on: to weed books, you must be honest and ruthless. Am I keeping this book on my shelves so everyone will think how learned and interesting I am? Will I ever really open this book again? If not out it goes...

Anyway so here's what I plan to weed:
--atlases that are out of date
--anything about How To ... write or be more efficient or effective or better at anything (they just give me anxiety disorders and stop me from doing anything at all let alone anything more efficiently)
--books that make me feel guilty (I haven't read, don't want to read but keep them because they tell me to) (They just give me headaches)
--anything with spiral bindings
--anything that's more than 2 inches thick
--anything to do with accounting or business courses or SEPS or 401Ks

What about you? What can you live without?

Dicken's Christmas Carol: the marked up manscript

Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just 6 weeks to raise much-needed cash in September 1843.

Printing the manuscript was a Christmas rush job, so there wasn't enough time for Dickens to make a clean manuscript copy. As a result, the copy that went to print is heavily marked up and extremely difficult to read. It has all of Dickens’s additions and subtractions in his own hand.

The manuscript is housed in the Morgan Library. And every year they turn the page so you can look at the next spread. This year, for the first time, all 66 pages are available online. (So you won't have to wait 64 years to see the entire book.)













The watercolor of the Ghost of Christmas Present, above left, had to be redone because the spirit was supposed to be wearing green, not red.

Here's just two of the changes he made to the text (so brilliant!):

On page 3, he inserts “his eyes sparkled” to amplify the portrait of Scrooge’s nephew, whose beneficence is crucial to the plot.

On page 12, where Scrooge takes Marley’s ghost to be evidence not of the supernatural, but of his own indigestion, (“more of gravy than of grave,”) he converts the offending bit of food from being a “spot of mustard” to a less digestible “blot of mustard.” (Genius!)

Read more here.

Listen to an interview here.

interview with David Suchet

David (Hercule Poirot) Suchet speaks to radio host Charles Morris about why he chose to read The Jesus Storybook Bible for audio, how he selects his roles, what his faith means to him, and more... in this fabulous conversation which you can listen to here.

"Best kids' books ever"

Nicholas Kristof of the NYT has made his list of the top 10. His kids have too. Needless to say they aren't the same. Not even close. I don't think I'm even going to try and make my own top 10 list ... although I will say (because it's one of my all time favorites and I can't help it) ... what about Winnie The Pooh FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE? Which really only goes to prove one thing: making such a list is a fool-hardy and impossible task. Thank heavens. There are far too many wonderful children's books out there to squish into a list of 10. (Why do you have to choose anyway? Can't all of them be your favorites?) Plus, even if you could choose, no one will ever agree. Which is just the way it should be. If books are like friends, then it makes sense you're going to have some that are your particular favorites. Ones that may be entirely over-looked by someone else. It's individual and intimate, the conversation that goes on between the reader and the book. And have you noticed how passionately you will defend your favorite book, just like you would a friend? But, just out of interest... What book would you have included in the list that wasn't?

purple monsters and reading to children

Came across this article, giving tips on how to read to children. It suggests that as important as what you read is how you read it. This has to be true doesn't it? I mean if you read it in a droning monotone, how fun will that be? Who wants to sit through that? You can make even the funniest book sound like a dirge if you set your mind to it. It's all in the delivery. It's a performance really and you must engage your audience and entertain them. Make them laugh not fall asleep. (Unless, of course, it's a magical sleepy book like this.) (WARNING about dramatic readings to children--if they are too little you could make them cry. Like I did once at a book festival. I was reading Handbag Friends--an adventure story disguised as a pink handbag--and warning the audience of the naughty purple monster coming up in the next bit and how maybe I shouldn't read it. A tiny girl screamed and ran to her mother wailing unconsolably and had to be carried out. I was mortified. I was sposed to be in the business of making children laugh--not scream in terror and run away. I now say "there's a scary bit but NOT REALLY" and scan the room for any too-scared too-tiny ones to smile at and reassure.) (Later the mum told me her daughter always does this at readings which made me feel less evil. A bit.) (If you want to meet the purple monster and you promise you're not too tiny and you won't scream and run away, you can see her in action here.)

save the date June!

if you're in NYC on Wednesday June 24th at 10AM come along for storytime at Barnes and Noble 150 East 86th Street (and 2nd Ave) and get your own personalized copy of two very important new books (we'd love to see you for some fun and laughs and very high jinks!):

• one tells you all about how to get hitched (or at least pretend to if you're only waist high) 

• and the other tells you all about how to behave (if you're a pig especially)

These are essential things to know. And you need to know them. (Don't you?) More info here.

how to get wedlocked

Just came across this new book "Wedlock," by Wendy Moore: about how a countess escaped a frightful violent dreadful awful marriage. Back in 1700 and something no less. The book is called Wedlock: The True Story of the Disastrous Marriage and Remarkable Divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore and you can check out the review in the NYT here. It's not just the divorce that was remarkable. There's something else (for those who haven't guessed) which will make you want to read the book all the more. Or at least it does me. Clue: read to the end of the article. Other clue: she had the same greyish blue eyes.

The lost art of reading aloud

Great Editorial in NYT by VERLYN KLINKENBORG. (Though Children's books I would add to poetry as the other realm where reading aloud has not died out. And I trust it never will.)

BIG BLOG BOOK GIVE-AWAY: Angry Conversations with God

OK. I've never hosted a give-away. But here goes. My brilliant friend, Susan Isaacs, has a fabulous new book hitting the shelves this very day. And you can get a copy by doing two things: a) signing up for my blog (if you haven't already); and also b) answering a question (see end of post). The give-away will last through March 25th and the top 4 will get their very own copy of the book (sorry, only available in US and Canada). So spread the word to All and Sundry ... Here's what Publisher's Weekly said in a rave review about her book: "God in couples counseling? Sounds sacrilegious, but in the adept hands of comedian, writer and actress Isaacs, it’s a success. Isaacs reached bottom at age 40: no job, no boyfriend, no home. Of course, she blamed God. So off they went to counseling with the ever-patient therapist Rudy ..." Originally staged as a solo show in New York and LA, Susan's book is a cheeky spiritual memoir and a page turner--startlingly honest, profound, refreshing, unique and very, very funny. It's snarky (as she herself admits) but even at its most scandalous, it's still an affirmation of faith. By the end Susan writes... “I saw now all too clearly why I had married God: for the power and the glory. For the money.” Publishers Weekly says: "Isaacs goes on a Job-like search for explanations from God, but instead finds the problem to be her. She’s funny, biting, earthy and brilliant." And gives the book a star. Quite right, too! I loved it. You can buy the book here. Or you can win your copy: tell me what is the funniest thing you've heard a child say (could be a made up word, a phrase, etc.; could be your child, someone else's child, you as a child...). The funniest will be the winners. I'll keep reminding you of this give-away until the closing date of 25th March...

books and muffin crumbs

Anne Fadiman (b. 1953) believes that if you truly love a book, you should sleep with it, write in it, read aloud from it, and fill its pages with muffin crumbs. Excuse me but I must leave this instant to buy some Muffins For Work.

The Biblioburro

what about this? a mobile library in Colombia run by Luis Soriano. it's called the "Biblioburro" and he started it because he believes taking books to people who do not have them can somehow improve this impoverished region. on his way he stops to read stories to children. how great to have books you can biblioburro borrow. as the New York Times says... this "Acclaimed Colombian Institutions has 4,800 books and 10 legs". More here.

barefoot boy

Blessings on thee, little man,
Barefoot boy, with cheek of tan!
With thy turned-up pantaloons,
And thy merry whistles tunes;
With thy red lip, redder still
Kissed by strawberries on the hill;
With the sunshine on thy face,
Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace:
From my heart I give thee joy—
I was once a barefoot boy!

O, for boyhood's painless play,
Sleep that wakes in laughing day,
Health that mocks the doctor's rules,
Knowledge never learned of schools,

O, for boyhood's time of June,
Crowding years in one brief moon,
When all things I heard or saw
Me, their master, waited for.
I was rich in flowers and trees,
Humming-birds and honey bees;
Mine the sand-rimmed pickerel pond,
Mine the walnut slopes beyond,
Mine, on bending orchard trees,
Apples of Hesperides!

Cheerily, then, my little man,
Live and laugh, as boyhood can!
Though the flinty slopes be hard,
Stubble-speared the new-mown sward,
Every more shall lead thee through
Fresh baptisms of the dew;
Every evening from thy feet
Shall the cool wind kiss the heat:
All too soon these feet must hide
In the prison cells of pride,
Lose the freedom of the sod,
Like a colt's for work be shod,
Ah! that thou couldst know thy joy,
Ere it passes, barefoot boy!

"The Barefoot Boy" by John Greenleaf Whittier.
1855. Public domain.

new york readings ...

for any in the NYC area ... (and apologies to those who aren't):


Saturday 21st June: I'll be at this favorite of independent bookstores reading my new picture book, The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas and Grandpas this saturday 12-2PM along with others (Rosemary Wells, Susan Jeffers, and more!). We will also have a panel and Q&A. Plus CUP CAKES! (Cup Cake Cafe is right there!)

For more info check out the bookstore's site or call (212) 989-3270.

ALSO, Thursday 26th June as part of Summer In The Square at 12 noon, I'll be at Barnes & Noble Union Square reading How To Be A Baby: By Me, The Big Sister. Come along for some fun, laughs and very high jinks!

More info here or call: 212-253-0810.

Drawing The Story for Children

Catapult Magazine reviewed The Jesus Storybook Bible this month and here's what they said:

"Today there are hundreds of story Bibles cluttering the market, but The Jesus Storybook Bible distinguishes itself from the crowd."

It's a great article. (And my new favorite magazine.) To read the article, click here.

Empire State Building lit in Yellow

If you look this week at the nighttime skyline in NYC, you may notice the Empire State Building is lit up in yellow.

Why? Mayor Michael Bloomberg has officially declared May 5–12 to be Project Sunshine Week (their logo is yellow like sunshine), in honor of the 10-year-old nonprofit organization that connects hospitalized children worldwide with visiting volunteers, celebrities and others. And one of the group’s new programs, the Project Sunshine Book Club, is who I worked with when I visited the Lincoln Hospital.

And there's an article all about it in Publisher's Weekly (plus a photo of How To Be A Baby: By Me, The Big Sister and me and Markell at the Lincoln Hospital) which you can read here.

Reading in Bryant Park

This coming Saturday, May 10th, Children's Book Week 2008 kicks off in New York's Bryant Park from 12-5pm. The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jon Scieszka will give the welcome and there'll be readings, activities, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George and everyone!

PLUS... I'll be reading from the gloriously silly hysterically brilliantly incredibly outrageously enjoyable book of all time in the whole entire universe EVER: How To Be A Baby: By Me, The Big Sister. (Well, actually there are loads of other great books being read all day long by lots of supremely fabulous authors and illustrators.) If you're in the 'hood, stop by. We'd love to see you! I'm on at 4.30PM with a book signing afterwards.

more info at The Children's Book Council.

best book recommendation ever

Did you hear about this? A book that kept a woman from getting run over?

An SUV crashed into her yard, The Salem News (Beverly, MA) reported a week or so ago. But Judy had gone indoors.

"Because I'm old, I came in to take a break from raking and sat down with a book," Judy Powers said. (Summer Light by Luanne Rice.) Minutes later, "I heard the brakes squealing for what seemed like forever."

Powers told a reporter after the accident that "she hadn't been able to reach her insurance agent and didn't know how extensive the damage was. She did, however, recommend the book . . ."

written to be read aloud

"All really good picture books are written to be read five hundred times." Rosemary Wells

"The longer I live, the more I see there's something about reciting rhythmical words aloud — it's almost biological — that comforts and enlivens human beings." — Robert Pinsky (b.1940), poet.

It's odd, but have you noticed that what you hear in your head as you write is completely different from what you hear when you read it out loud? And that even reading something out loud to yourself isn't the same thing as hearing it read to you?

It's something many writers talk about. C S Lewis, for instance, read his books out loud. Here's Fran Lebowitz: "In conversation you can use timing, a look, an inflection. But on the page all you have is commas, dashes, the amount of syllables in a word. When I write, I read everything out loud to get the right rhythm."

Here's another tip: get a friend to read your work out loud to you (you provide snacks and cups of tea to keep their strength up!) that way you can hear where they stumble. And know what to fix.

But, of course, there's the ultimate test for a children's book: read it to some real life actual children. The good news is: they're not very good at pretending when they don't like a story. The bad news is: they're not very good at pretending when they don't like a story.

Spinky Sulks: story time

As an extra special treat, why not stop doing whatever it is you're doing, sit back and listen to an excerpt from a story written by one of the greatest children's picture book writers read to you by one of the greatest actors. Spinky Sulks by William Steig, read by Meryl Streep.

Buy book here.

The Christmas Story

As part of a Christmas series of programs, I recently recorded three Christmas stories from The Jesus Storybook Bible on Haven Today. You can listen here:
He's Here!
The King of All Kings
The Light of the Whole World

Haven are graciously offering the book free with a donation! Here's a link to their site where you can get your copy and support these great guys.