Another win for Klinger!

I just heard from Betsy tonight that our precious Klinger has just won another medal. Betsy just accepted the Gold Medal this evening from the Military Writers Society of America. If you still haven't picked up a copy for your family, I highly recommend it. You can purchase your copy directly from TAPS {here}. All proceeds go directly into TAPS wonderful program for young survivors of military loss. After meeting a bunch of them last Memorial Day, those kids have my heart.

Volatile, in a good way

Moments ago I found this definition of the word manic:

man-ic / 'manik / Adjective

1. Showing wild and apparently deranged excitement and energy: "manic enthusiasm".

2. Frenetically busy; frantic.

I laughed. Maniacally.

Because that's what happens to me when I get to indulge in a little creativity. It comes bursting forth like a tidal wave, pouring out my fingers and exploding in my head like a volcano. Though it sounds scary, it's wonderful really.

Brushing up on some illustration techniques and styles in preparation for a potential new project was the trigger this time. Apparently a roll of trace and a pile of markers is a combustible combination. Ten minutes in and I wanted to write, create, sing, and if there's time, maybe change the world this evening.

If only I could bottle it.

Rumor has it...

that Klinger is eBook/iBook bound...

While I am a die-hard {real} book lover, who obsesses about silly things like the wonderful, nostalgic smell of book and the glorious sound of the turning page, it still excites me to see Klinger groomed and readied to take his message to another medium. Since, it seems, I might be the only one not on the electronic wagon. And my boys will undoubtedly think it's super cool to read Klinger on their iPad. See, I am the only one...

Young Voices Awards

Klinger, A Story of Honor and Hope just received another Gold Medal. The Young Voices Foundation awarded Klinger a Gold Medal in their Children's Picture Book for All Ages category. I find myself, once again, so grateful for the opportunity to create Klinger's book with Betsy and TAPS.

Is it wrong to be jealous of an illustrated reptile?

To say that Emily Gravett had-me-at-hello with her children’s book Blue Chameleon would sound cliché. But it’s almost the actual, literal truth.

She had me at “Hi!”

And then again at “Howdy!”

With its loose sketchy style and play on the word blue, I would have banked my opinion on the cover alone. But the humorous, witty interior made me clasp the book to my heart and declare my undying love.

Through Emily's wonderful pencil, we witness the cheerful desperation of a cute little chameleon who contorts and rebrands himself in countless attempts to fit in and find a friend. This classic story of loneliness is told with hilarity, poignance and joy. Though the content itself is sparse and simple, it tells a familiar story with zesty originality.

In short, I’m jealous. Think anyone would notice if I slapped my name on the cover?

Caps for Sale - SOLD! to the reluctant girl in the gray sweater

As an architecture major in college, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead was the book to read. I could not bring myself to read it. I waited until years later, when I had exhausted all other literary options, had almost completely forgotten about its existence and it seemed the least likely book for me to read. Only then did I bend open the cover, feeling like I had really discovered something. I then went on to devour everything Ayn Rand had ever written. I’m crazy like that.

Today I picked up Caps For Sale in a very similar manner.

I had formerly resigned myself to never read it. Over the years numerous people expressed their shock, “You haven’t read Caps for Sale?!” I’ve thumbed through it countless times, but the only reason for bringing it home would have been hearsay. The artwork didn’t inspire me and neither did the plot. And I love the joy of discovering my own literary treasure, the pleasure of a good find.

When my fingers stumbled over five copies of it on a library shelf this morning, curiosity finally got the best of me. It was curiosity plain and simple, not former recommendations -- just sheer wonder at the public demand that would necessitate at least five copies of the same book.

The boys and I tried it out over lunch this afternoon. Despite my skepticism, it was a hit. Though it may never be a personal favorite, as a read-aloud, it was quite entertaining. The text allowed me to exercise my very limited thespian abilities, which, loosely translated, means it gave me an excuse to act like an enthusiastic lunatic as my boys laughed their heads off.

Literary Lesson of the Day: Don’t be stubborn about literature. Let the kids bring the final verdict.

About a boy

The Boy who was Raised by Librarians was an instant hit in this household. Written by Carla Morris, a long-time children's librarian, the story highlights and glorifies several literary delights this family knows well:

A love of the library.

A love affair with books.

The delight of indulging boyhood curiosity.

The joy of learning.

And the satisfaction in sharing our joys with the next generation.

The illustrations are full of life and humor. The story smiles at itself. If you are a fellow nerdy booklover, you'll see some of yourself in the brainy little protagonist and will undoubtedly find yourself routing for Melvin along with his three librarian friends.

The library may have to hunt us down; my son doesn't want to give it back.