Showing posts with label picture books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture books. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Save the Males

I came across a blog post which caused me to think about feminism in a different way and how it has affected men in our society.

I found myself in complete agreement with most of the issues raised by Kathleen Peterson, blogger over at The Intellectual Insurgent.
In her discussion, Kathleen mentions several books, including Save the Males: Why Men Matter Why Women Should Care, by Kathleen Parker. Parker discusses how the feminist movement in America has created enemies out of the opposite sex instead of its original intent to create equality.



Other books she mentions include Unprotected, by Miriam Grossman, a psychiatrist at UCLA Student Psychological Services and advocate for youth and urging others in her field (as well as parents and educators) to empower young men and women by speaking truthfully about sexuality and gender roles (and stereotypes) instead of talking to them in politically correct ways that don't benefit them as patients or respect them as individuals.



She also refers to Prude: How the Sex-Obsessed Culture Damages Girls (and America, Too!), a book by Carol Platt Libeau.



I encourage you to head over to Kathleen's blog for more, but I do want to point out something that she said that completely held true, in my opinion:
Our cultural assumption that men only want sex has been as damaging to them as to the women they target. Here is how a recent graduate summed it up to me: “Hooking up is great, but at some point you get tired of everything meaning nothing.”

Ultimately, what our oversexualized, pornified culture reveals is that we think very little of our male family members. Undergirding the culture that feminism has helped to craft is a presumption that men are without honor and integrity. What we offer men is cheap, dirty, sleazy, manipulative sensation. What we expect from them is boorish, simian behavior that ratifies the anti-male sentiment that runs through the culture.
Being the mother of a young boy has made me realize how important it is for us as parents to educate our children (male or female) about respect, equality and once and for all, getting rid of the stereotypes that surround us as individuals.

If you're looking for a way to introduce the idea of equality to young people and allowing children at a young age to understand the concept of respect, admiration, and how truly attractive these qualities are, I highly recommend that you read Singing to the Sun, by Vivian French.



A modern twist to a classic fairy tale, this picture book uses the Princess Bride concept and allows for the lead characters (one male, the other female) to evolve and provide readers of all ages the opportunity to seek the same.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Mommy Has Tattoos

I have several tattoos, many of which are hidden when I'm dressed professionally. I have stories behind each and every one of them, but I want more.

The last tattoo I had took a long time. Over two separate sessions, I believe the artist spent over 6 hours altogether between the outline and coloring. I found out I was pregnant shortly afterwards and haven't made time to sit down and have it completed yet.
That being said, I do want to get something to finally honor my role as a mom. I haven't decided where, on my body, to place the new design, however.

Here's it is - modified in Photoshop and eventually perfected by the artist I select to work with.
All comments and suggestions are welcome.

And if you're looking for a way to make tattoos less scary for young children (don't ask me why any child would think they're scary), there's a great little book called Mommy Has a Tattoo by Philip Padwe. I bought the book when I first discovered it and my son loved it. We haven't read it in a while but I think I'll take it out again to revisit it.


Friday, June 6, 2008

Robot Mom

My son is into robots lately. I brought him into the office with me today where he made a giant robot (his size) out of paper and Scotch® tape. He's quite the little inventor.

Today - perfect timing - we also received a copy of a book I bought for him called Mama Robot, written by Davide Cali and illustrated by AnnaLaura Cantone. Originally written in Italian, the text was translated by Marcel Danesi (published by Tundra Books).



The artwork is the first thing that captured my attention. A combination of sketches and digital images leap from the page and require a second look (there's a small key carried by the narrator on the first page and real silverware on the table setting).

There are also subtle details in the drawings that most readers won't think twice about but those that have keen observation skills will giggle over (the coffee mugs as the robot mom's breasts and the small grommets falling from the robot dog's behind on the last page).

As a single, working mom, I can imagine that my son has a lot in common with the little boy in the story. His mom is always working, always at her desk and he's continuously bored and wanting her attention.

He decides to make a new mom - Mama Robot - and talks about all the great things that would come of it: Mama Robot would never be too busy to spend time with me! She would never make me brush my teeth. She'd let me stay up late to watch scary movies and would never make me tidy up my room.

Our young protagonist finally realizes that he can't quite cuddle with Mama Robot and she doesn't smell quite the same as his real mom and so, he decides to take her apart and create a new companion. Moms are, after all, irreplaceable.

This is a wonderful book for parents and children, as it serves as a powerful reminder of what's important: quality time which truly is priceless.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Let it Snow

Last week, just a day before I left for Toronto, I drove up to the mountains with my son and my mom for a day of playing in the snow. Since I grew up in Minnesota, having a white winter is something that I not only am used to, but miss since living in Southern California for the past eight years. I've taken my son to see the snow in the past, but now that he's old enough to really enjoy it I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to spend a snow day with Grandma before we visit her and the rest of our family over Christmas.

Now that I've enjoyed snow with the two people who mean the most to me, I can't help but begin to realize how important these simple pleasures are and how years from now we'll be able to look back on that day as a wonderful family memory to recall.

I recently read somewhere that nearly half of the world's population has never seen snow! They really don't know what they're missing.

Here are a few of my favorite photographic or illustrated books that feature snow:
























Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Stuffed

One of my favorite Kane/Miller books is Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear by Matt Dray of Australia. It's a photographic collection of stuffed animals and a tale of what happens to them when they get tossed in the dump. Not that you or I would actually throw these plush, stuffed or slightly-worn toys in the garbage, since there are several places that accept these gently-used and much-loved buddies to pass along to others who could use them.



The Salvation Army
Project Night Night
Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE)

These organizations were listed in the November issue of Wondertime magazine, a wonderful resource for parents.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Friday Night Delights

I've been busy the last few days; traveling to Reno, reading magazines (dated months ago), watching the World Series, networking with school librarians, sharing books with kidlit blogsters, discussing picture books with reviewers, getting caught up online and reviewing websites to share. I've discovered several and there are quite a few more I'll include another time.


Rice and Beans Vintage




the cocoa monkey:
distinctive gear for the curious






KIOSK:
Interesting things from interesting countries





rose and lula:
rebellious, sophisticated, vintage-inspired, casual, bohemian, contemporary





The Curiosity Shoppe:
if I haven't mentioned this before, I should have





Vigilant:
leather goods





modern mommy:
innovative design for the few few years of life





babyzone's most embarrassing parenting moments





I have more reading to do, packing (back to San Diego tomorrow), relaxing before my vacation ends and getting ready for the final day exhibiting for Kane/Miller at the AASL conference here in Nevada.

By the way, today was Nevada Day. I have no idea what the celebration is all about, other than what I assume would be the history of the state. Schools were closed, parades and festivities were held and yet, I was working inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. More on that later...

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Java Mama Story Time

I had an opportunity to promote and sell Kane/Miller picture books through the Working Moms with Toddlers Meetup Group that I'm a member of here in San Diego. One of the moms in the group suggested that I host a story time at Java Mama in La Mesa.

It turned out to be a fantastic event although I couldn't tell you how many moms and kids were there (I was too busy reading a counting book to count the number of heads).

The counting book that I read, with the help of my page-turning assistant and son, was One Woolly Wombat, from Australia. Written and illustrated by Rod Trinca and Kerry Argent, this picture book features Australian birds, reptiles and other creatures along with rhyming text and the numbers 1-14.



Afterwards, I read a second book from Australia, Bobbie Dazzler. By Margaret Wild and Janine Dawson, this one features a red-necked Wallaby who amazes her friends with the acrobatic - gymnastic abilities she has, although sadly, the list doesn't include the splits. Bobbie's friends Koala, Possum and Wombat don't mind, but Bobbie certainly does.



After much practice Bobbie finally manages to do the splits, although she's not quite sure how she's going to get back up to a standing position! Her friends help Bobbie, encourage her and even participate in these activities that also kept the children jumping, hopping, whirling and twirling.

I sold a few books this morning, made some new friends and discovered a wonderful place to take my son and enjoy my daily caffeine requirement at the same time. I can't wait to go back and possibly host another story time event before the holidays.

Selznick, Frazee & A Big Box of Books

The SCIBA Trade Show and Authors Feast was last night. It took us nearly three hours to get to the Biltmore with an accident, road construction and typical Saturday evening traffic holding us back but we finally arrived!

We had enough time to walk the floor of the Trade Show, visit with many wonderful Sales Representatives and page through several fall books which I had not had a chance to see prior, and we still had time to mingle, enjoy a cocktail and wander through the beautiful hotel to see what other events were taking place that evening.

I was joined by two of my colleagues for dinner: Lynn, who most SCIBA members recall from her previous position as manager of The White Rabbit; and Christina, from The Book Works in Del Mar.

Also at our table was a member of the Harcourt children's division (also located in San Diego), along with four booksellers representing Russo's Books and Newsboy Books & Video.

The highlight of my night was meeting two of the award nominees (the two that I would've asked to meet if I was able to choose). Marla Frazee, whose work I absolutely adore, sat down at Table #12 just before dessert was served (what was that, by the way?). I nearly leaped across the table to shake her hand and gush over her work. She took me by surprise when she mentioned that some of her favorite picture books were Kane/Miller titles and I couldn't even begin to think of what to say to her after that, especially since we had to practically yell at one another to be heard.



Lynn was able to introduce me to Brian Selznick after the event and I was able to congratulate him after he received his much-anticipated award for his children's novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.



Other award-winners were: Lisa See (Peony in Love), Wendy Werris (An Alphabetical Life), Denise Hamilton (Los Angeles Noir), and Robin Preiss Glasser (Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy), who admitted on-stage that she had a little too much to drink.



It was a wonderful event and I was so pleased to be able to attend and very grateful for the big box of books that I opened early this morning with my son, who insisted that I read him Bossy Bear and Merry Christmas, Mouse! immediately. (This of course, after he asked me why his babysitter had to leave.) Welcome home, Mom!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

My First Meme

I didn't actually create this meme but I'm passing it along. Is this allowed? I'm new to the whole blogging thing so please cut me some slack if I'm not following netiquette rules.

This may be old news to many kidlit blogsters, but Kimbooktu posted a meme a few weeks back (yep, I'm that far behind) that I just have to share.

My responses to these questions (although I realize no one asked me):

1. Hardcover or paperback, and why?

Hardcover: Why not?

2. If I were to own a book shop I would call it...

Read-Head Books
(because both my son and I are red-heads)

3. My favorite quote from a book (mention the title) is...

"...sometimes bad things happen so that good things can happen. You just had to make the best of it." - Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear, by Matt Dray


4. The author (alive or diseased) I would love to have lunch with would be ....

I have nothing to say, other than not one person (so far) has commented on this major typo...I think she meant deceased?

5. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except from the SAS survival guide, it would be...

I'm not sure why I would be going to a deserted island, but if I were, I would bring The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley by Colin Thompson and Amy Lissiat, to remind myself "...to be happy with a lot less."


6. I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that....

Created an extra hour in each day devoted just for reading.
7. The smell of an old book reminds me of...

HOME
8. If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be....

When I was young I wanted to be Pippy Longstocking or Anne (of Green Gables). They're both red-heads.

9. The most overestimated book of all times is....

The Da Vinci Code
10. I hate it when a (good) book....

comes to an end.

And, just to keep things exciting, I tag Betsy, Pam, Liz, Mindy, Jen and Jules.

Monday, October 8, 2007

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I would like you to take a few moments to focus on your breasts. Seriously.


I have to confess that I am in the bad habit of ignoring the routine breast exams that I should be doing. I see my doctor once a year and she asks me if I examine myself on a regular basis. For about one or two weeks afterwards, I do. I make a point of spending an extra thirty seconds (30 seconds!) making sure everything is normal (as if I have ever been accused of being anything but!). But a few months later I find myself neglecting this important ritual and so I'm reminding you, and myself, to add it as a regular part of your daily schedule.

Breast Cancer Awareness


October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But why October? Why breast cancer? There are so many other cancers that don't get their own month. Many are quite rare and some you might not be familiar with or have ever heard of. For example, did you know that there are over five types of breast cancer? You'll find a list of specific forms of cancer, with links to each, from the National Cancer Institute website.

Please take a moment and ask yourself when you last visited your doctor and whether or not you have a hereditary risk that should make you think twice about skipping that daily exam. Schedule an appointment with your physician if you haven't seen him or her in a while. You want the best for your children so be sure to be your best for them as well.


The Dana Farber Research Institute, along with children's book illustrator Grace Lin, honor her husband's battle with Ewing's sarcoma through an online auction beginning in mid-November. With the support of dozens of other children's book illustrators, Robert's Snow: for Cancer's Cure is a wonderful way to help create magic in people's lives, both through the beautiful snowflakes you bid on as well as the hope that you bring to those whose lives have been, or will be, affected by cancer.

View the 2005 and 2004 archives or go directly to the 2007 snowflakes to pick out which ones you will place a bid on. And don't forget to mark your calendar so you don't miss out on the opportunity to help raise money for an important cause.
My personal favorite, from the 2005 archive