Web Extras
for the November/December 2007
Horn Book Magazine

It’s an annual tradition: our November/December issue with reviews of the best new seasonal books. But be sure to read Roger Sutton’s gift-giving tips before you head out to the mall. For the fantasy lovers on your list, Jonathan Hunt evaluates the current publishing craze of epic multi-volume fantasies. (Thanks, Harry.) We’ve gathered reviews of some recent fantasies and their sequels, as well as some intriguing articles in anticipation of two Susan Cooper events here in Boston. Got tiny tots? Our favorite bookseller/barista, Terri Schmitz, serves up several board book adaptations in her reissues round-up, including Olivier Dunrea’s Gossie and Gertie stories. Read our reviews of the original editions and two articles on choosing books for babies.

Also, in this issue’s editorial, Roger Sutton celebrates the life of Thomas Todd, our publisher emeritus, who died in September. Our current publisher, Anne Quirk, offers her own memorial, where we’ve also posted an audio excerpt from a 1988 interview with Mr. Todd.

‘Tis the Season
Roger Sutton chimes in with some timeless gift-giving advice in this November/December 2006 Horn Book Magazine article.

Does the sequel stand alone?
Fantasy Writers (and an Editor) Speak Out
Elizabeth Knox, Elizabeth Wein, Phillip Reeve, Kenneth Oppel, and Cheryl Klein
Reviews of recent epic fantasies, including Bartimaeus, the King of Attolia, and the Dreamhunter volumes.
Unriddling the World: Fantasy and Children
Articles from our archives by Susan Cooper, Gregory Maguire, Philip Pullman, Lloyd Alexander, and more.

Board Book Bonanza
Reviews of Olivier Dunrea’s picture books enjoying a second life as board books.
Martha Parravano and K. T. Horning on books for the very young, from our March/April 1997 special issue on family reading.

More Web Extras for November/December 2007:

In “Astrid Lindgren’s Swedish Legacy,” Susan Marie Swanson looks at how Pippi Longstocking’s creator is still influencing today’s writers. Back in 1973, Lindgren contributed her own tart advice to prospective writers.

The Cold War is raging hotter than ever in books for young readers, as Deirdre Baker reports in her Reader at Large column. Hear two of its most distinguished chroniclers, Tim Wynne-Jones and David Almond, discuss their work at Boston Globe–Horn Book Award ceremonies.

Patrick Jennings’s cadenza features some ABC books that won’t see the light of day. From our September/October 2006 issue, Ron Koertge offers his own list of Unlikely Titles (Pippi Pantyhose??).