Tiny Treasury

At least not on Laura Mallory’s watch. And not in Loganville, Ga.

Laura Mallory, a mother of four in Loganville, Georgia, went to bat in 2006 to convince the Gwinnett County to ban all Harry Potter books from classrooms and school libraries. Despite the fact that Mallory has never read any of the books (perhaps the one thing that we have in common), she believes that the fiction series is an “evil” attempt to introduce children to witchcraft and the Wicca religion.

J.K. Rowling has previously responded to such allegations on CNN by saying:

I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft. I’m laughing slightly because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, “Ms Rowling, I’m so glad I’ve read these books because now I want to be a witch.”

And yes, this is the same Gwinnett County whose library board initially eliminated $3,000 set aside to buy Spanish-language fiction after residents objected to using taxpayer dollars on books which might be read by illegal immigrants. Days later, the board reversed its decision amid accusations of racism.

But fortunately, the Gwinnett County board exercised some common sense here the first go round and refused to ban the Harry Potter series from its school libraries. Mallory next went to the Georgia County School Board, which likewise refused to ban the series. Not satisfied with that ruling, Mallory sued in Superior Court. In June of this year, she again lost her case to keep the series off of the shelves. Mallory is apparently considering an appeal to federal court, funded by donations from like-minded souls.

Parents in other states have staged less spotlight grabbing efforts to ban the series. The books have been banned successfully in Michigan and Arkansas.

Have any of you encountered attempts to ban the book? Do you think banning is an appropriate response? Do you agree with Mallory’s assertions that the dark behaviors in the book can lead to dark behaviors in real life, such as school shootings?

Harry Potter, book banning, censorship, J.K. Rowling, Laura Mallory, Gwinnett County

As previously reported, the Gossip Girls series will be make its debut on television this fall (September 19) on the CW. Lucky for us because many booksellers are promoting the book series with deep discounts in preparation for the show. This week, while on vacation, I picked up Only in Your Dreams (9th in the series) for less than $5 at Barnes and Noble. If you’re in the mood for some light summer reading - or know a teen that is (wink, wink) - check it out.

** I found the dialogue and talk about sex and drugs to be fairly mature, so I’d recommend this for older teens - not tweens. I don’t know that I’d want my junior high girls to be romanticizing pot and sex at this age…

Gossip Girl, CW, Only in Your Dreams

I’m on vacation this week (hence, the fewer posts). And nothing challenges you as a parent more than being trapped in a car for hours on end with restless children…

Enter the “I Spy�? game.

You don’t need a book to play this game – remember it from when you were little? But with really small children, a book really helps. My three year old, for example, finds it difficult to look out of the window. And her “I Spy�? options inside the car aren’t terribly noteworthy – they get old after a few minutes. But “I Spy�? in a book? It’s brilliant.

My kids have “I Spy�? from Disney’s Cars movie. Both kids are crazy about the movie – talking cars? Who knew? And the book is great. It is literally page after page of crazy illustrations that challenge the kids to find certain tires, oil cans and more. The best part? The kids aren’t finished after 5 minutes. They can play for hours – and find different things each time.

Next time that you’re planning a car trip, consider throwing one of these books in the car. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

A Charlie and Lola book that I don’t have in my house? Impossible! Yet true.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School was published in 2004 and has been nationally recognized. It still managed to stay off my radar - perhaps because I didn’t have school aged children until now. I am rushing out to buy it before school starts… My middle daughter will *absolutely* love it!

(hat tip: Elizabeth at about.com)

Lauren Child, Charlie and Lola, back to school

As a mom of two young daughters, I am very sensitive to this notion of the connection between females and the fields of math and science.

I was a math girl - math team, math minor, attended the NC School of Science and Mathematics. But I was acutely aware that this wasn’t encouraged. I guess I realized this for the first time when my friends thought I should “play dumb” during a math competition. I had just bested my “steady” at try-outs and that was viewed as a death sentence. I could do okay at math, they said, just don’t embarrass the boys.

By the time that I enrolled in college (at an all women’s college), I was struggling to remember why I liked math. I enrolled as a history major and tested into Calculus (we were required to take one math class). During Calculus, my professor, Dorothy Preston, took me aside one day and gave me a pat on the back. I was, she told me, good at this. Next semester, I took Calculus 2, then Calculus 3… you get the picture.

I am now a tax attorney, a field that is hardly proliferated with women. And (gulp) I like math - despite the stereotypes, despite the Barbies that were programmed to say “Math is hard!” (remember those?).

I am so glad that I didn’t just become a statistic, another girl that gave up math in junior high, when in wasn’t cool anymore. My senior college thesis was a report on the connections between girls and math/science - and the ages at which interest and retention in those subjects decreased. It is very clearly in junior high and my “attitude surveys” in the local schools showed that girls perceived math to be fun and easy until puberty. What changed at that age? The coolness factor. The number of girls interested in math after that plummeted.

It is, then, encouraging and refreshing, to see someone willing to take center stage and be a good role model for girls who are interested in math. Huge kudos to brainy (and beautiful) Danica McKellar for choosing to transform her celebrity into something positive instead of taking the dumb party girl route favored by such embarrassments as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears.

Danica’s book, “Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math without breaking a nail or losing your mind” goes on sale this week. If you know a middle school aged girl, I hope that you’ll consider preordering it.

Positive role models for girls in Hollywood these days are far and few between. I hope that this inspires girls to take a second look at math - and what success and math can mean (there’s a link on Danica’s web site where she discusses the correllation between math and the arts).

math, girls, Danica McKellar

Even though I will admit to not having read any of the Harry Potter books (it’s on my list, I swear), I’d be remiss to not mention the latest book in the Harry Potter series - especially since it’s breaking all kinds of records. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has already sold 8.3 million copies in its first 24 hours on sale in the United States, according to Scholastic Inc.

I am curious to hear your take on the book. What happened? Was it a satisfying ending? Did JK wrap up loose ends, as promised? Any disappointments? Do you think this is really the end?

*** Spoiler Disclaimer ***

As I am specifically asking for feedback on the book, there may be information posted in the Comments that you might not want to read. If you don’t want to know how the book ends, who dies, or any other information that readers might post, just don’t read any further. You’ve been warned.

Scholastic, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling

The notorious tales in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events are now available in paperback. To celebrate, HarperCollins is giving away free books. To enter, sign up here. The last entry will be accepted on July 26, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Lemony Snicket, HarperCollins, children’s book

But that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth reading.

When I think of summer reading, I think of light and fluffy. This story, written for tweens (ages 10-14) is anything but light and fluffy.

Burying the Sun focuses on fourteen year old Georgi who lives in the Russian city of Leningrad with his mother and sister. When World War II begins, Georgi and his friend Yelena are too young for the army and are given “patriotic work” to support the Russians. Anxious to contribute more, Georgi becomes part of a war relief effort to bring food across the frozen lake and into Leningrad.

The book is authored by Gloria Whelan, who has written a number of similarly-themed works including The Impossible Journey and Angel on the Square.

As a history buff, I found a lot to like about it. It had a “Little House on the Big Frozen Lake in Leningrad” feel to it. But, it is serious and dramatic and somewhat dreary in spots, which could be a difficult draw for the tween crowd. Personally, I’m glad that everything isn’t frou-frou and dating-oriented at this age. But that means that the competition for this book is tough. If you can get your child to give it a whirl, I think he or she will enjoy it. But the convincing in the first place may not be easy.

It’s summer. And in theory, summer is a wonderful time to merely relax.

But children don’t relax. If you have kids, you know what I’m talking about.

They fidget. They squirm. They can’t find anything to do.

And thus kicks off Marc Rosenthal’s wonderfully amusing Phooey! A child kicks an old can, proclaiming emphatically, “Nothing ever happens around here!”

But that can? It hits a cat, knocking it out of a tree - right in front of a dog who is pretty excited to see the cat. The dog proceeds to chase the cat into the street and the zoo… And, well you get the picture. A series of events are put into motion that upend the idea that “nothing ever happens around here”

It’s a silly picture book filled with funny noises, brightly illustrated havoc and fantastic adventures. A fun read for summer - or any time!

It’s the Friday Fifteen! Today’s guest is author Cecil Castellucci.

Cecil’s first novel, Boy Proof, debuted in 2005, and won a number of accolades including the ALA (American Library Association) Best Books for Young Adults; ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Quick Pick; New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age and Book Sense Children’s Picks List Selection.

And now, onto the Fifteen!

1. Where are you now?
In Los Angeles, on my couch watching Star Trek the Next Generation: Season 1

2. What were your favorite books as a kid?
Just the tip of the iceberg:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatly Snyder
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

3. What are you reading now?
Flora Segunda by Ysabeau Wilce

4. Do you have kids?
Not yet. But I hope to one day!

5. What projects are you working on now?
I have a picture book called Grandma’s Gloves coming out on Candlewick as soon as the art is done. And then I’m working on an early chapter book / easy reader, for young kids, with Candlewick as well. Also I’m tinkering away at a new YA novel.

6. What is your biggest writing or illustrating luxury?
Fountain Pens. Long stretches in cafes. Dreaming while looking out of windows.

7. Coffee or tea?
Both! I swear! I love them equally!

8. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Coco Rosie
Joanna Newsom
Dead Kennedys
Edith Piaf
Sam Cook

9. What would I be surprised to know about you?
While living on the street for six weeks waiting for Star Wars Episode I tickets, I slept next to a murderer on the lam. Is that too scary? How about, my first job, when I was 15, was as a girl friday for a nobel prize winning neuroscientist.

10. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
I went to NYU first for film production, then ran out of money to finish, so I went to Paris, France for a year and then finished my degree in Film Production at Concordia University in Montreal.

11. If you weren’t working with kids’ books, what would your dream job be?
Astronaut or earth bound space voyager (like at JPL)

12. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
Uh… I don’t have broadcast or cable TV in my house. So, I can’t say what’s great on TV right now, like this week, because I watch TV on DVD’s.

13. How did you get your “big break” into the field?
The first story I published was in the LA Times Kids Reading Room. It was a story called Moon Picnic. Also, I joined SCBWI and went to a working writers retreat where I met my agent and my publisher, Candlewick Press. Go, SCBWI!!!

14. Which celeb would you want most to meet?
Dead: Luis Bunuel
Alive: Dolly Parton

15. Who is the best book character EVER?
Too tough a question!
I’ll say Anne of Green Gables, since I didn’t put that up in my fave books for kids.

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Thanks, Cecil (and thanks to Tracy at Candlewick Press for making the intro)! Be sure and check out Cecil’s latest book, Beige:

You can keep with Cecil on her blog.

Cecil Castellucci, Beige, Boy Proof, Candlewick Press

My girls are nuts about Food TV lately. Tops on their collective lists are Giada DeLaurentis and Rachael Ray.

So it was with a lot of glee that they received this Rachael Ray cookbook for their birthdays. It added to their cookbook collection which already consisted of this Emeril cookbook and the New Junior cookbook from Better Homes and Gardens.

Okay, first things first. My favorite is the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

It’s well organized and the recipes are kid favorites. Each recipe has nutrition info and serving info - important for moms - in a clear, easy to find box at the top. Many have serving suggestions or interesting facts about the food.

The food is simple, nothing earth-shattering or fancy, but lots of kid favorites - and even a couple of craft recipes in the back. Of all of the cookbooks, it’s by far the better value.

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For the most part, I’m an Emeril fan.

I think he’s a little over the top these days but I’ve been to his show and I can attest to the fact that he’s a showman and a cook. Sometimes, the TV personalities on cooking shows forget that last bit.

I actually bought this book myself, at full price. It wasn’t a gift or a comp. I liked the idea of the international flavors. We try to get our kids to eat a lot of different things.

I found some of Emeril’s choices a bit odd, I have to admit. I’m not sure why he chose some things (German apple pancakes) over others (no pretzels?). But the availability of choices is good - considering it’s geared towards kids, there are a lot of countries represented from Cuba to Morocco to Ireland.

Emeril spends a lot of time giving cooking advice in the beginning. I’m not sure why this was included. Chances are, kids won’t read that bit, and parents should already know a lot of the safety info. That said, the “Caution symbols” for each recipe are a good idea to alert you as to whether the recipes might be appropriate for your age child.

Each recipe has a blurb about the history or culture for the dish and a map of the country of origin. There is surprisingly no nutrition info. It’s an attractive and informative cookbook but not very useful.

And the “Emeril Restaurant Guide” at the end was self-indulgent and not necessary.

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Lastly, there’s Rachael Ray. Now, my kids LOOOVE her. They go nuts when they see her picture. My three year old can even ID her as a cartoon on the cover of her book and pick her out in the cookware at Kohls.

Her cookbook is cute enough. It is cleverly arranged according to age, which is helpful on the surface. The problem is, if you’re looking for say, soup, that a 5 year old can make, you’re taking your chances with this book. It’s not chock full of recipes. It’s actually more full of drawings, stories and anecdotes. Like Rachael’s TV show, it’s really about entertainment with a side of cooking. And that’s okay for the kiddos for a bit. But when they’re in the “can we make something” mood, it’s not terribly helpful.

There are no groundbreaking recipes here, and quite frankly, nothing that you haven’t made before - except maybe presented differently. And for kids, there’s nothing wrong with that.

My oldest daughter (she’s 5) loves the book. The size of it is kid friendly (it’s small) and the illustrations are very kid-appealing - the picture of the “worms and eyeballs” recipe makes her giggle every time. Again, it’s just weak on the cooking side. But Katie’s too young to figure that out.

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All in all, I think it’s great to expose kids to culture in books and that includes books about food. But I think you have to be careful to ID many of these books for what they are: entertainment. If you’re looking to seriously interest your kids in food, I suggest that you stick with the classics and keep it simple.

Bon Appetit!

Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Better Homes and Gardens, kids cookbooks, cooking, children, recipes

John, Paul, George & Ben, that is.

I saw this book last week in Barnes and Noble and almost bought it. The illustrations were fantastic and the book jacket made me laugh out loud - how often does that happen with a kid’s book?

But I didn’t.

So imagine how ecstatic I was when I found out that my friend Madeline bought it for my daughter, Katie…

It’s so brilliant.

But then what did you expect from Lane Smith, who has illustrated, among other works, James and the Giant Peach and The Stinky Cheese Man? The illustrations are just - gosh. I can’t even explain. The whole book isn’t just drawn beautifully, it’s put together in a stunning manner - from the typeface to the color palette to the drawings. Amazing.

And the text? I’m not sure that the little ones (the jacket says from age 5 on) will get the humor evident from page to page, but that’s why I love it. It works in the same way that Monsters, Inc., or Cars does - there’s humor for the kids and then a more sophisticated humor for the parents. That’s what I love in a kid’s book.

It also has perspective. It is the abbreviated, down to earth stories of John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin and Tom Jefferson. Historical, entertaining, smart, funny. I’m a history major - and I learned something.

The jacket says “This is the story of five little lads before they become five really big Founding Fathers.” But… I thought that only four were mentioned in the title? That’s because the fifth - Tom (as in Jefferson) - was “annoying independent and hardly ever around.”

A truly great book, destined to be a classic. Buy it.

history, John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Lane Smith

It dawned on me that you might be interested in what families other than mine are reading. So, I’m going to try and publish The New York Times best seller list each week.

The June 3 list for Picture Books:

1. Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
2. Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
3. Thanks to You by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton
4. Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed
5. A Good Day by Kevin Henkes

The June 3 list for Chapter Books:

1. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
2. Summer Ball by Mike Lupica
3. Warriors: Power of Three #1: The Sight by Erin Hunter
4. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
5. Marley by John Grogan

Get the book.

In yet another example of Hollywood being too clever by half, the book about the Nancy Drew movie (which is, of course, based on the books) is out.

Nancy Drew Movie Novelization is available in bookstores now.

Nancy Drew

Simon & Schuster Books has announced that they have signed Steven Hawking to pen a new kids’ book.

Hawking’s book, George’s Secret Key to the Universe, will be a fictional work about the origins of the universe. He is co-writing the book along with daughter, Lucy, who has authored Plume and Run for Your Life. The book will be will be illustrated by Garry Parsons who has illustrated, among other works, The Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe. A fall release is expected.

Steven Hawking, Lucy Hawking, Garry Parsons, George’s Secret Key to the Universe, Plume, Run for Your Life, The Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe