>I’m always trying to decide just what kind of sister we are to School Library Journal. Are we like Elizabeth and Jessica? Beezus and Ramona? Louise and Caroline Bradshaw? Or, eep, The Silent Twins?
In any event, we are going to be totally copying Li’l Sis this fall as we embark on a companion to SLJ’s Heavy Medal blog, which runs throughout the fall and early winter, parsing the rules and possibilities for the Newbery Medal. Our blog, to be helmed by Horn Book designer Lolly Robinson and Magazine reviewer Robin Smith, will focus on the Caldecott: what might win? what can win? what should win?
More details will be forthcoming but this blog needs a NAME. Put your suggestions in the comments; the winner–if there is one–will receive a signed and inscribed copy of A Family of Readers.
About Roger Sutton
>To ferret out our sisterly relationship we need to put literature aside and turn to true life: Joan and Jackie Collins. Your Jackie, the literary one. I'm Joan, the brasher one.
>Calling Caldecott?
>The Cauldron
(I'll withhold offering possible taglines, but it should suffice to say that brewing, stewing, and boiling of opinions may all come into play.)
>I looked at the past winners, in hopes of a "Chasing X" thing. But "Chasing Animals of the Bible" doesn't quite work.
So maybe just "Chasing Randolph" instead?
Or maybe it should point to the fact that it's really an award for art. You could rip a line from this:
In my little hunt I found a funny poem on wikipedia:
Stand up and keep your childishness:
Read all the pedants’ screeds and strictures;
But don’t believe in anything
That can’t be told in coloured pictures.
Might make a nice header…
>Headbangers
Eye Candy
Good luck with this, by the way. I've found that reams have been written about the Newbery over time, much less about the Caldecott. It'll be nice to read intelligent discussion on picture book art.
And when is someone going to start a Printz blog?
>Regarding Randolph: A Mock Caldecott Blog
>Is "Randy Ruminations" too risque? Is The Horn Book the nasty sister?
>Brian & Roger–I think there is a third sister you are forgetting. . . Am I one of the evil stepsisters? Are you the evil sisters to my Cinderella?
>Yes, Susan, and look for Brian and me, live on the Media Source stage at ALA in June, to serenade you with our special disco version of "Why Would a Fellow Want a Girl Like Her?"
>Of course there’s the thread of who-will-win, but I’d rather see discussion emphasized in the blog title. How about borrowing Picture Books Matter from the current Horn Book cover (editing out one word)?
>How about The Lullaby Medal Blog?
Or Little Einstein Caldecott Blog?
>If you choose to play off of the Heavy Medal name you might opt for Precious Medal, allowing for application of the several definitions of precious (highly esteemed or cherished to excessively refined and affected) and even allowing you to introduce any number of Gollum tropes.
>Golddiggers
>Picture Perfect
>Love the blog idea–looking forward to it!
>This is fabulous news!
>Diverting Story
Read Randolph
Calling Caldecott
Sounds like a fun blog!
>Medallica
>- The Medal Detector
- Solid Gold
>Sorry, no bright ideas here, but I wanted to say that I'm really looking forward to the blog, whatever it will be called. Fantastic idea!
>How about:
Dainty Dish
Four and Twenty
Blackbirds
(Eating) Bread and Honey
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Something based on the "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" illustration that Randolph Caldecott did on the reverse side of the Caldecott Medal?
Though, I think Paul Schmid's "Medallica" is pretty great!
Amy Spaulding
>I like the Calling Caldecott suggestions, but it might sound better as Calling the Caldecott?
Or, Picturing Gold?
And then there's always, If You Give a Book a Medal or, Guess How Much They Love This Book…
On a side note, I've sometimes wondered whether there's a conflict in review journals sponsoring (and participating in) these types of discussions. Does it fall under the general mission of evaluating books (and having fun), or is there a blurring of the boundaries between professional and personal review?
Ruth
>(Put a Medal on It)
>Randy Thoughts.
>book bling?
>Wow. "Medallica" rules. But why not go obscure?
John Gilpin's Ride
Or even perhaps
Mr. Gilpin's Wild Ride
>As sisters, maybe you could be Laura and Lizzie from Rossetti's Goblin Market. Or maybe Daria and Quinn Morgendorfer?
I love Medallica. I'm not sure how popular drum 'n' bass music is in the States, but any Goldie fans might like Medalheadz?
>Calling Caldecott
Scrolling through the comments, I see I'm not the only person to come up with this title! It's a good fit.
>Just Say Gold
The Artful Augur
IF
>Picture, if You Will…
(Wasn't that the lead in to the old Night Gallery show?)
IF