Featured Posts
An Interview with Neal Porter
Neal Porter launched his thirty-five-year-long publishing career in 1979 when he assumed the post of director of library services and academic sales at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, where William Steig, Maurice Sendak, and Madeleine L’Engle were among … [Read More...]
Do Great Work and the Rest Will Follow
Growing up in the heart of the South, I saw firsthand how people were excluded based on skin color. I was taught that the rules weren’t the same for blacks and whites, but I also witnessed game-changers such as John Lewis and Coretta Scott King, who … [Read More...]
The Horn Book Magazine — March/April 2014
Table of Contents Features Leonard S. Marcus 14 An Interview with Neal Porter A renowned publisher shares his insight into the current state of picture books. Jon Scieszka and Molly Leach 28 Design … [Read More...]
Blogs & Opinions
Moving moments No. 2
Cindy found this one, The Light at Tern Rock by Julia Sauer, a Newbery Honor Book in 1952--and originally published in the Horn Book Magazine in 1949. This would seem to break the award's rule about "original work," that the "text is presented here … [Read More...]
Lazoo Zoo! app review
It’s always time to feed the animals at Lazoo Zoo! (2013). Move from habitat to habitat dishing out all sorts of delicious foods — from reasonable fare such as bananas and grapes to more ridiculous entrees such as burgers, birthday cake, and even a … [Read More...]
More books to discuss
Last week was our first week with book discussion on this blog rather than our usual posts from teachers. I didn't exactly blow the horn to announce them, so this week I'm trying something different, hoping more of you see -- and join -- the … [Read More...]
Editorial: As Pretty Does
Back in 1998, the Horn Book Magazine published a special issue devoted to picture books. With articles about picture book history, reviewing and writing picture books, and a baker’s dozen of first-person “Studio Views,” it became a children’s lit … [Read More...]
Talking About Race 2013
Review of the Week
Review of The Scraps Book
The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert; illus. by the author Primary Beach Lane/Simon 72 pp. 3/14 978-1-4424-3571-1 $17.99 e-book ed. 978-1-4424-3572-8 $10.99 In a generously illustrated picture book memoir, Ehlert speaks directly to her audience, particularly readers who like collecting objects and making things. Aptly titled, the book is jam-packed with art from her books and photos from her life, beginning with pictures of her parents, the house she … [Read More...]
App Review of the Week
Lazoo Zoo! app review
It’s always time to feed the animals at Lazoo Zoo! (2013). Move from habitat to habitat dishing out all sorts of delicious foods — from reasonable fare such as bananas and grapes to more ridiculous entrees such as burgers, birthday cake, and even a saxophone — to a motley crew of eleven animal residents. The food dispenser comes equipped with fruits and veggies; after several minutes of game play, hidden foods will begin to appear. Touch to add them to your collection. And if you don’t see … [Read More...]
Recommended Books
Review of The Scraps Book
The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert; illus. by the author Primary Beach Lane/Simon 72 pp. 3/14 978-1-4424-3571-1 $17.99 e-book ed. 978-1-4424-3572-8 … [Read More...]
Review of The Impossible Knife of Memory
The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson High School Viking 371 pp. 1/14 978-0-670-01209-1 $18.99 g Hayley Kincain has spent the last five years riding shotgun … [Read More...]
Review of My Bus
My Bus by Byron Barton; illus. by the author Preschool Greenwillow 40 pp. 4/14 978-0-06-228736-6 $16.99 g In a companion volume to My Car (rev. 11/01), we ride along with Joe as … [Read More...]
Books for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2014
Anderson, Laurie Halse Wintergirls 282 pp. Viking 2009. Lia, an anorexic and cutter, hears that her estranged friend Cassie was found dead in a motel room--after leaving Lia thirty-three messages. … [Read More...]
Review of Why We Took the Car
Why We Took the Car by Wolfgang Herrndorf; trans. from the German by Tim Mohr Middle School, High School Levine/Scholastic 250 pp. 1/14 978-0-545-48180-9 $17.99 g e-book ed. … [Read More...]
Interviews
An Interview with Neal Porter
Neal Porter launched his thirty-five-year-long publishing career in 1979 when he assumed the post of director of library services and academic sales at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, where William Steig, … [Read More...]
Byron Barton on My Bus
In the March/April 2014 Horn Book Magazine, reviewer K. T. Horning asked author/illustrator Byron Barton about My Bus, his latest transportation celebration. Read the starred review here. K. T. … [Read More...]
Five questions for Marilyn Nelson
Marilyn Nelson is an acclaimed author and poet whose numerous contributions to children’s and young adult literature include Carver: A Life in Poems (Front, 13–16 years); A Wreath for Emmett Till … [Read More...]
Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan on The Mad Potter
In the January/February 2014 Horn Book Magazine, editor Martha Parravano asked Mad Potter authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan about choosing their unusual subject. Read the review here. Martha … [Read More...]
One question for eight people: the Newbery/Caldecott edition of Five Questions
We've asked people in-the-know for their 2014 Newbery and/or Caldecott awards predictions — what do you think will win? Or what do you hope will win? Martha Parravano, executive editor, The Horn … [Read More...]
