Tiny Treasury

The cleaning bug has hit me. It’s spring. I want to open my windows. I want to sit on my porch. I want to simplify things.

And I can’t do it with all of this clutter.

Part of my clutter is in the form of paperback books that have been accumulating on my night table. There are tons of good books - for all ages. And I just can’t bring myself to throw them out. I’m cheap that way.

I recently found out about PaperbackSwap.com. Oh yeah. Basically, you join for free and you send your paperback books (in good condition) to other members, only paying the cost of postage. In return, you can “order” books to be sent to you - for free! I really encourage you to check it out.

paperbackswap.com, books, organization

When I was at Tyler Arboretum a few weeks back, I picked up a copy of Jan & Michael Gertley’s The Family Garden. It was a super buy.

The Gertley’s book is designed for a 32′ x 32′ garden - not exactly an ideal layout for my urban garden. But the book’s projects are nicely divided so that you can choose one or more of the projects if you’re not inclined to do the entire garden.

My favorite project - and on my “to do” list for this summer - is the bean house. The bean house was also the first project that the Gerstleys developed for the book.

The bean house is a simple facade with a door, all scaled for children. The frame of the house is built with PVC piping and string. The sides of the house and the roof are bean plants trailed on the string. As the bean plants grow, the house becomes more enclosed. It has that whole “fort” feel for kids and looks lovely in the garden. I have the feeling that my kids are going to hide in it all summer…

Clearly, the project isn’t meant to be completely put together by children. But there’s lots of input that they can offer in terms of aesthetic and placement in the garden. In this respect, I guess The Family Garden isn’t a “children’s book” but it is the best kind of book for children: the kind that you can read together with your family.

Towards the end of the book is a list of projects specifically for children, including jack o’lanterns (we started ours from seed last week) and gourd birdhouses. There are also a number of recipes based on foods that you can grow in your garden like cupcakes with edible flowers and garden omelets. It’s important that children understand where their food comes from - and think about how smart they’ll feel at restaurants!

Whether you live in the city (like I do now) or in the country (where I grew up), there are plenty of garden projects in this book that can be adapted to fit your yard. Give it a whirl. Your kids will thank you for it.

garden, children

Yep, I’m getting the feel of the place here at 451 Press. And as I go, I’ll be making some more changes as we go along.

For those of you who are new, or who haven’t stopped by in awhile, here’s what you’re missing:

Every Wednesday, I want your opinions about two different books, characters or authors in our War of Words Wednesday feature.

To keep up with the hottest names - as well as those up and coming - in children’s book authors and illustrators, check out our Friday Fifteen.

The theme for March is gardening - I’m trying to incorporate garden and nature-themed books into my reviews. Send me your suggestions! I have the theme for April already in the works but you’ll have to check back in a few weeks to see what it is.

Through the end of March, you can also voice your opinion of the “Best Children’s Books Ever” and I’ll post how closely my readers agree with the NEA list - check back for the results! And definitely stay tuned for more polls and contests coming soon.

And here’s what’s new:

You can see what we’re reading at my house on any given day. Stop by - you might find an idea for a book or two.

I’ve also added a page about me, in case you want to know more about who exactly comes up with this stuff…

And if there’s a question about children’s books or authors and illustrators that you’ve always wanted to know, send it to me and I’ll do my darnedest to find out the answer… It’s my new feature, “Tell Me True!” Check for it soon.

And of course, I always love comments from my readers. Let me know what you think by posting below or sending me a note. If you have ideas for future themes, segments, contests or reviews - or if you just want to say hello, please contact me.

To keep up with the latest, you can always subscribe to my feed!

I love crafts. I always have. As a kid, I loved any excuse to create a little something out of paper, glue and some embellishments (I still do, which is why I love Kari’s paper blog!). I didn’t want to wait for Christmas and Easter to be crafty - and why should you? St. Patrick’s is a great holiday to be crafty - lots of color, lots of pageantry, lots of fantasy.

You can find cute and eminently do-able crafts in Kathy Ross’ Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day. Crafts include a host of shamrock-related projects, jewelry and an Irish magic wand (we have one of those in my house right now). It’s the perfect book for days like today in Philadelphia - cold and snowy out.

S. Patrick’s Day, crafts, shamrocks, paper

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The Friday Fifteen feature (what alliteration) is intended to introduce you to a host of authors and illustrators, from established writers and illustrators like Judy Roth, Sue Mongredien and Brian Biggs to those just breaking into the field. Today’s guest on Friday Fifteen is up and coming children’s book author, Chris Erb. I am sure that we’ll see more of him in the near future. Enjoy!

1. Where are you now?

At the office, at my real job, not doing my work.

2. What were your favorite books as a kid?

Well, I did the whole Encyclopedia Brown to Three Investigators to Hardy Boys thing, although the Three Investigators were my favorite. Our neighbor worked for a PVC pipe company, so we buried a large pipe as an entrance to our clubhouse as a sort of homage to them. We also bought a lot of used books, so I really liked Tom Swift and the Penrod books from Booth Tarkington.

3. What are you reading now?

Uh … well, I read a lot of books in German, and I’m currently reading Russendisko (Russian Disco) by Wladimir Kaminer. It’s a series of essays about the Russian expat community in Berlin by, of all things, a Russian expat.

4. Do you have kids?

Yep, three of the little buggers.

5. What projects are you working on now?

Well, I’ve been working on a series of travel books for the 2-4 year old crowd with our neighbor, who is an illustrator. The idea is to take kids through a city in search of something which is associated with that city (e.g., pretzels for Munich, Liberty Bell for Philadelphia). The first drafts are for European cities, so we may well end up trying to have it published by a European publisher.

6. What is your biggest writing or illustrating luxury?

Well, time, of which I have precious little.

7. Coffee or tea?

Coffee, black and strong, preferably espresso.

8. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

John Coltrane (lots), Joe Pass, Lyle Lovett, Everclear, New Model Army

9. What would I be surprised to know about you?

That I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary to the US Air Force, and was slated to learn to be a pilot and parachute from an airplane. I hate flying - in any form - and I’m so not military.

10. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

Drexel University, Commerce and Engineering, a Business Administration degree for those with a bit of geek in them.

11. If you weren’t working with kids’ books, what would your dream job be?

That changes from time to time, but some variation on writer

12. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

The Daily Show, now that Arrested Development is gone, with Scrubs a close second.

13. How did you get your “big break” into the field?

I haven’t.

14. Which celeb would you want most to meet?

I’m not a big celebrity follower, and most of the ones I’d like to meet are dead, so … I guess Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

15. Who is the best book character EVER?

Since we’re on the kid theme, I’ll say Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes!

It’s been a difficult couple of weeks at my house. My father-in-law was admitted into hospital about a week and a half ago and required two emergency surgeries; he was subsequently admitted to ICU. He is, thankfully, officially now “out of the woods” - whatever that means.

My husband handled it very well. This is my father in law’s second serious health scare within the last five or so years (the last was a quintuple bypass) and this one was resolved much more quickly. It did not help my husband, however, that right now my kids are really into Josephine Nobisso’s book, Grandpa Loved.

The book is really lovely. The illustrations by Maureen Hyde are soft water colors which lends a nice tone to the book overall. The theme of the book is grief and how a child might reconcile their own grief. You don’t so much pick up on the theme early on in the book. The story focuses on the relationship between the narrator (a grandson) and his grandfather. Throughout the story, the child tells of the wonderful things that he learned from his grandfather. At the end of the story, however, the child reveals that his grandfather is deceased.

This is such a difficult concept, this idea of death, to convey to children. I know, I’ve tried to do it before. I like the idea of introducing the concept of death gently, as in this book. There’s no point in dancing around it, especially when it involves people that we know and love. But there’s no need to be in your face or overly explanatory either. It’s a delicate balance. I think that Ms. Nobisso “gets it” - and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Parents magazine has previously selected it as one of the “Best Children’s Books of the Year.”

I hope you’ll check it out.

grief, death, grandparents, Josephine Nobisso, Parents magazine

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature has been awarded to Banco del Libro, a non-profit Book Bank that has been distributing books to Venezuelan children since 1960. This marks the first time that the award was given to an institution.

The award, named after Astrid Lindgren who authored Pippi Longstocking, includes a cash prize of $710,000. The award was established by the Swedish government in 2002 following Lindgren’s death and is the largest children’s book award in the world. The official presentation of the world will be made on May 30 at the Skansen Museum in Stockholm by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria.

Banco del Libro is headquartered in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and works to promote reading in Venezuela. It has started school library networks, founded a publishing company and runs Latin America’s largest documentation centre for children.

Last year’s winner was American writer Katherine Paterson, who wrote one of my favorite books, The Great Gilly Hopkins as well as the recently popular Bridge to Terabithia.

Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins, Banco del Libro, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature

So, continuing my garden theme this week, I wonder, better book about a boy and his tree:

The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein) or A Charlie Brown Christmas (Charles M. Schulz)?

Peanuts, The Giving Tree, Silverstein, Charlie Brown, trees

Penguin Young Readers Group has announced that Nick Hornby, New York Times-bestselling author of such books as High Fidelity, About a Boyand A Long Way Down, will publish his first novel for young adults.

The book, Slam, tells the story of a young boy whose world is turned upside down in a life-altering moment. The main character, Sam, falls hard for a pretty girl and ultimately finds his way through conversations with a larger-than-life poster of his idol, champion skater Tony Hawk.

The hardcover edition of the book will be released in October 2007. A paperback edition will follow in 2008.

Nick Hornby, Penguin Young Readers Group, Slam

I’m a garden nut. I’ve always loved the idea of digging around in the dirt and making something pretty out of it. Gardening is, in that way, wildly satisfying.

As a kid, my other passion was reading. I was a reader. Morning, afternoon, evening. Under the covers, at the dinner table (despite protestations from Mom), in the living room, on the bus. It was so easy to get carried away by the wonder of words, to be transported to a different time and different place.

I think, perhaps, that the combination of those things is why I loved - no love - Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. It is, simply stated, one of the best children’s books ever.

The book centers around Mary, who after being orphaned (a theme in those Burnett books), is sent to England to live with relatives. Mary finds out about a walled garden, which is kept secret, due to a family tragedy. She is fascinated by the garden and decides to revive it herself. Over time, she recruits the help of others, including Colin, the sickly son of her uncle. As the garden becomes healthy and beautiful again, Mary, Colin and the others at the home find joy and health themselves.

I think we all love stories of redemption - those sad stories that have that moment when everything turns out to have a purpose, to happen for a reason - those stories when somehow you really believe that everything will turn out okay. It’s the stuff that classics like Anne of Green Gables, Charlotte’s Web and The Little Princess are made of.

As a child, I loved this story because, to me, it was filled with good things: flowers, beauty, love and hope. It was such a nice idea, this thought that working at one thing could yield such positive results. It was the ultimate makeover story.

I still love this story, even as an adult. My nanny bought the DVD for my children and I can’t wait to show it to them. I hope that some day that my children will love the book as much as I do. If I had to guess, I would peg my oldest for a fan. She is, even at the age of five, so introspective and thoughtful. She, too, loves to make things pretty and dig in the dirt (though, in contrast to me, she’s more fascinated in the worms than in the plants!).

If you haven’t yet shared it with your children, I’d encourage you to do so. And yeah, while you’re reading it to them, it’s okay if you crack a smile or two, as well.

Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett

Oh yeah, I’ve got spring fever! This weekend, I attended the Philadelphia Flower Show with my children. The displays were absolutely beautiful. The colors were bright and cheery - the daylily above is just one example of the amazing pinks on display. The pinks, while normally not my favorites, were a big hit with the girls. So, of course, on Sunday, we made the trip to the garden center to buy potting soil and seeds to get some plants started inside while the temps edge up a little.

What does any of this have to do with books? Well, nothing yet.

But it absolutely reminded me that (1) spring is on the way and (2) children love dirt. So, my plan for the next few weeks is to try and feature some children’s books about the outdoors and gardening. If you have a favorite, you can comment below or send me an email. If you’re an author, illustrator or publisher and you have news about a release that you think is a good fit, please let me know.

Enjoy the weather, and a good book!

It’s Friday Fifteen and our guest today is author Sue Mongredien.

1. Where are you now?

Up in the loft in my house in Brighton, England. It’s where I work.

2. What were your favorite books as a kid?

I loved all the Enid Blytons and Roald Dahls. I also liked Helen Cresswell, E Nesbit, Arthur Ransome - too many to list. I loved reading - and still do.

3. What are you reading now?

I’m halfway through Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes. Very funny.

4. Do you have kids?

Yes, three of them. Hannah is 6, Tom is 4 and Holly is 2.

5. What projects are you working on now?

I’m working on new Oliver Moon stories as well as a grown-up novel.

6. What is your biggest writing or illustrating luxury?

I’m a bit of a sucker for sparkly notebooks for scribbling down ideas. And nice pens, too!

7. Coffee or tea?

Tea every time. Milk but no sugar, please!

8. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

Kaiser Chiefs, The Jam, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Air

9. What would I be surprised to know about you?

I travelled around the world alone for a year and a half back in my twenties.

10. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

Leeds University, I did an English degree.

11. If you weren’t working with kids’ books, what would your dream job be?

Gardener

12. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Life on Mars

13. How did you get your “big break” into the field?

I was working in publishing so I had some good inside information about what editors were looking for (and what they really DIDN’T want). That helped enormously.

14. Which celeb would you want most to meet?

Orlando Bloom’s rather nice…

15. Who is the best book character EVER?

Harriet the Spy!

Which is the better classic teen angst novel:

Catcher in the Rye or Lord of the Flies?

teen angst, novel

Guess who has joined the list of celebs like Madonna and Billy Crystal and decided to become a children’s book author? That’s right, she of forthright moral character, Jenna Bush.

Just today, HarperCollins Publishers announced that it has acquired world rights to Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope allegedly penned by Jenna. The story is classified as “young adult” and non-fiction and will be based on her experiences working as an intern for UNICEF in Central America (who knew?). The book will have color photographs throughout by photographer Mia Baxter (and fellow UT grad), who accompanied Bush on her trip. The book is scheduled for publication in Fall 2007 and a portion of the proceeds will go to UNICEF.

“I have been inspired by my work with adolescents in Central and South America,� said Jenna Bush. “These young people have faced extreme hardships and exclusion but are strong in spirit and have an incredible will to succeed. Through their stories, it is my hope to motivate young Americans to increase their awareness of other young people around the world: to learn about the challenges they face, how they triumph over adversity, and to become involved in helping them.�

Jenna Bush, HarperCollins, UNICEF, publishing