As it is my Birthday, I thought I would make a list of my 29 (as that is my actual age) favorite children's books of all time.
Books of the Week - It's A Book
It's a Book by Lane Smith
In the age of e-readers, computers, ipods, and other various technology this books feels timely and yet a hair premature. Sure, kids get computers, but will they understand the references to twitter and blogs? I'm not so sure. In fact, the book felt very much like a picture book for adults. Often we debate strong language in young adult books (i.e. cursing). I wonder how parents feel that the last sentence of the book is, "It's a Book, jackass." True, the character in the story is in fact a jackass, but that is not how that word reads and I'm not certain parents are going to be thrilled with that one.
But I like the book, purely from an adult level. I think it is funny, pertinent, and I love Lane Smith's illustrations. However, I don't think I will be reading it to my nephew any time soon. If ever. Either that or the end may be missing a word.
Author of the Week - Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy is an award-winning author of non-fiction books for all ages. Born in New Jersey, Jim credits his childhood explorations as his inspiration and questioning of the world around him. Never much of a reader, Jim preferred to play as a kid, until a teacher forbade her students to read. With such reverse psychology tactics, Jim began to gobble up any book he could grab. Jim went on to college, not straying far from his home attending Rutgers University. Eventually Jim got a job working in children's book publishing, starting as a secretary and working his way up the ladder to Managing Editor. Jim always had many interests, quirky to some, and working in publishing made Jim aware that he could write his own books, non-fiction in nature that would appeal to young readers. Two of his books, An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in 1793 and The Great Fire both won Newbery Awards. His other books, many of which have won numerous awards, include A Savage Thunder, Truce, Desperate Journey, The Boys' War, Blizzard, and The Real Benedict Arnold.Today Jim continues to live in New Jersey, with his wife, and sons.
Covers That Appeal to a Twilight Generation
So this new trend of book covers that appeal to Twilight fans really bother me. Here is my question...are teenagers really going to read Wuthering Heights now that it has a rose on the cover and says 'Bella & Edward's Favorite Book'? And if so, what does that say about marketing classics. Never mind that the whole Vampire trend is getting old fast, but now a book cover trend to appeal to those obsessed with Twilight. It just feels wrong somehow.
