Category Archives: Children’s books

Lemony Snicket’s autobiography

Raise your hand if you love Lemony Snicket. What’s not to love? His books are hilarious. Even though I’m not a teacher, a librarian or a parent, I have been a camp counselor and a big sister to a tween … Continue reading

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A Caldecott for Daisy

Last week, author-illustrator Chris Raschka won the 2012 Caldecott Medal—the children’s book equivalent of an Oscar—for his touching picture book, A Ball for Daisy. Which made us wonder: What was it about this particular book that led the awards committee … Continue reading

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Maurice Sendak and the Grim Colberty Tales

After reading Dave Eggers’ Vanity Fair portrait on Maurice Sendak (“My work is not great, but it’s respectable.”) and listening/crying through Terry Gross’ interview of Sendak on “Fresh Air” (“I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and … Continue reading

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Interviews with Daniel Handler & John Corey Whaley!

Earlier this week we posted about this year’s Youth Media Awards, and since then we’ve been lucky enough to interview two of the honorees! First up: Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, talks to us about Why We Broke Up, an … Continue reading

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2012 Youth Media Awards!

Fans of kid lit look forward to the Youth Media Awards every year, in which the American Library Association announces the year’s best children’s book authors and illustrators in a variety of categories. This morning, the awards were announced in … Continue reading

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A new novel from Newbery winner Clare Vanderpool

Clare Vanderpool won the 2011 Newbery Medal for her novel Moon Over Manifest—a surprise to a lot of readers, as Vanderpool was a debut author. When I saw her speak at ALA in New Orleans last summer, she had the … Continue reading

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Behind a book’s makeover: Part 2 (from the designers)

Yesterday, author Gabrielle Zevin told us about her dystopian teen novel, All These Things I’ve Done—which underwent a makeover between the hardcover and paperback editions. Today, we hear from the designers behind the makeover. Two Creative Directors worked on All … Continue reading

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Behind a book’s makeover: Part 1 (from the author)

Gabrielle Zevin’s All These Things I’ve Done is a YA novel that takes place in New York City of 2083. Anya, the main character, is the daughter of a notorious chocolate crime boss. (In this age, chocolate and caffeinated beverages … Continue reading

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Best Children’s Books of 2011

At last, our editors have made their choices for the best children’s books of the year, from picture books to middle grade to young adult titles. It wasn’t easy to decide, but after we roared our terrible roars, and gnashed … Continue reading

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Monday contest: Critter books for kids

There’s something about Christmas that makes me reminisce about being a kid–or even doing my best to recreate favorite holiday moments (read: lots and lots of paper crafts). In honor of that childlike wonder inspired by the season (and all … Continue reading

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All about ‘The Scorpio Races’

It’s been a big year for fans of Maggie Stiefvater. The final book in her Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, Forever, came out in July . . . and just last week she released a new stand-alone book, The Scorpio … Continue reading

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Lauren Myracle: at the center of a media storm

I met Lauren Myracle at a crowded book party in New Orleans last summer, during the American Library Association’s annual convention. She grabbed my arm and insisted that I have a glass of champagne immediately. I had no idea who … Continue reading

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Talking to Sara Zarr about ‘How to Save a Life’

Exciting news: Sara Zarr’s fourth novel, How to Save a Life, is on sale today! Zarr’s first novel, Story of a Girl, was a National Book Award finalist, and her third novel, Once Was Lost, was described in BookPage as … Continue reading

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Holly Black’s ‘never-ending blood party of revelry’

Big news for fans of Holly Black! The author of The Spiderwick Chronicles has signed a deal to write a new book called The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. This story is set in the “not-so-distant future” and is about a … Continue reading

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2-day countdown—you could win 20 kids’ books!

(This is a re-post from a week ago! ‘Cause I don’t want you to miss out on 20 free books..) This is just a friendly reminder from a fellow book addict who likes free stuff: Have you noticed this ad … Continue reading

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