Tales from the Rushmore Kid

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman - Newbery Winner 2009

  One of my favorite books of the year won the Newbery this week.  I saw Neil Gaiman speak at the BEA authors' breakfast last year.  He talked about The Graveyard Book, the story of a boy raised by ghosts.  The idea fascinated me and I picked up a copy, but I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster, seat of your pants, wild ride I got.  I had to read it in one sitting.  Buy, borrow or check out this fabulous story.

The book opens with the murder of a family.  The assassin frets, unable to find the one member who got away, a toddler.  As he searches in a dense fog, the baby climbs into a graveyard.  The ghosts of the graveyard protect the baby from the murderer and then agree to raise him.  They give him the freedom of the graveyard and name him Nobody.

New Covey Book Trailer Awards

Two Kid Book Trailers that I produced have been nominated for the New Covey Book Trailer Awards for January--a picture book, "The Worst Best Friend," and a middle grade novel, "Like a Maccabee."  Check it out and vote at: http://thenewcoveytrailerawards.blogspot.com

Rumer the Cat

Along with holly, cookies and presents, another Christmas tradition for me is the holiday commission. This involves the painting of grandkids, vacation landscapes or beloved pets.  If I am lucky, I have a few months before delivery. But usually what I get is a last minute request requiring a few late nights.

This is Rumer. I had a few months to complete him, but I struggled for a long time with the photos I'd been sent. I'm glad I waited till I was truly inspired by the play of color and light. When I finally delivered Rumer, everybody was happy.

Four Editors, a Mission, and Twinkies - SCBWI Picture Book Retreat '09

Hats off to our local SCBWI RA, Alexis O'Neill, for putting on a fabulous picture book retreat at the Santa Barbara Mission last weekend: workshops on manuscripts, first pages, poetry and word dummies, and two nights of partying with four back east editors (who were loving the 80 degree weather, by the way).  A big thank you to all the editors--Ruta Rimas, Kathy Landwher, Kate Fletcher, and Lisa Graff--for their kindness, generosity, and inspiration. I plan a Youtube piece about the weekend soon.

Sydney Taylor Book Awards - Blog Tour 09 - Ron Mazellan

I am honored to be part of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards Blog Tour 09.  These are some of the most prestigious awards in Jewish children's publishing.  Check out their main site for  additional information. Today my interview is with Ron Mazellan, illustrator of A is for Abraham, Sydney Taylor Honor Book in the Younger Readers Category. You can also read the interview with the author of this book, Richard Michelson, on the blog The Well Read Child. I am so please to host Ron Mazellan on my blog.

What does it personally mean to you that “A is for Abraham” won the silver medal for the Sydney Taylor Book Awards young readers category?

Whenever anyone takes notice of your artistic effort, it is humbling to reflect upon the honor, especially when you consider the talent level of other illustrators.  I also realize the honor is always shared even though I am the only one painting the pictures.

The Ali Forney Center

Charities are really hurting in this economy, so I was pleased that my former editor, Mark McVeigh, emailed me about a worthwhile charity that he helps lead.  The Ali Forney Center finds housing for LGBT youths in New York City.   The mission of the charity is to help LGBT youths feel safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.

Here is the email from Mark:"The Ali Forney Center is the only organization of its kind in NYC and we desperately need the help of individual donors. We constantly reach out to City, State and Federal funds—all of which have contributed—but it is donors like yourselves who make a difference. As a new board member, I’m doing my best to  make sure as many people know about this worthwhile organization and consider a donation, no matter how small."

Lisa Schroeder

Occasionally when I am surfing around the web I come across a wonderful author site.  This was the case with author Lisa Schroeder.  After reading about her books, both those that are out and those that are coming out, I asked her to interview for the blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I started writing for kids about seven years ago. At the time, I was at a fork in the road in my life, and really trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I had a home-based business and didn’t know if I wanted to continue on with that or what. I had recently read a spiritual based book about making your dreams come true and the first chapter was about discovering what your true dream is.

Paper Towns - John Green

I am a big fan of John Green the author and John Green the person.  He was kind enough to give me an interview after he won the Printz award, which I'll always be grateful for, and he is published by our mutual house, Dutton. I enjoyed John's first two novels, Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines.  I REALLY enjoyed his new, very different novel, Paper Towns.  John  tends to challenge my logic and intellect  with his eccentric characters, but I could relate to practically the whole cast in Paper Towns.  John captured the loyalties, desires, friendships and intense emotions that envelop teenagers in high school.

Sydney Taylor Book Awards

Congratulations to my good buddy, Barbara Bietz, and the other members of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee.  After much hard work and deliberation, today they announced The Sydney Taylor Book Awards.  Check out the winners on Barbara Bietz's Blog, Jewish Books for Children.

Most Popular Posts 2008 - Carolyn Yoder - Editor

Like most children's book authors, I have files full of rejection letters. Some broke my heart.  Some pissed me off.  Just a couple encouraged me to continue.  One good rejection letter I received was from Calkins Creek editor, Carolyn Yoder.  Even though she did not buy my manuscript on Mount Rushmore, she took the time to write me a two page critique.  I want to thank her publicly for that encouragement. I am thrilled that Carolyn Yoder agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you become a children’s book editor?

Well, that’s interesting. I was working in Boston, in scholarly publishing, and basically answered an ad for an editor at a small children’s magazine publisher.