Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Interview with Kai Strand, author of The Weaver

Today I am so pleased to have as my guest, Kai Strand, author of award nominated book, The Weaver.  Kai is a fellow Guardian Angel Publishing author and is a hard working mom as well.  Let's see how she deals with it all, including writing great books for kids!

NS  Your formative years were spent in Wisconsin and southern California, two places very culturally different from one another. How did living in those two areas impact you and your writing today?

KS  What an eye opener! Heck, in Wisconsin, when I got home in the afternoon, I was still changing out of my school clothes into more casual clothes, and California kids wore SHORTS to school. The first thing I learned was shock – major culture shock. The second was discomfort. I’d gone to school with the same kids my entire life. Suddenly I had to make friends. I’d never consciously had to do that before.
Then there was the first Christmas; 80 degrees and pool party with family friends. I don’t think the move changed me fundamentally, but it exposed me to so much that I wouldn’t have known if I’d stayed in the same town the rest of my school career and maybe even into adulthood. I draw upon those lessons, experiences and feelings when I’m creating characters or putting them into odd circumstances.

 NS  You came to writing for children a bit later than some (as I did). Yet you completed your first middle grade novel, The Weaver, quickly and were nominated for an EPIC eBook award (2012). Tell us how you came to write the book. How did your muse take you there?

KS  The Weaver, the poor thing, didn’t really come together quickly. I’d written another middle grade novel prior to The Weaver, plus I was writing short stories and trying my hand at picture books. I’d joined a couple online critique groups to help with all that.

One day I was ferreting around my empty mind for a new story idea. On my computer screen was the page for my critique group, Silver Web. Sometimes, being in a critique group can be intimidating; surrounded by people who write stories also - as well as or better than you. Staring at the graphic we have for our group I thought, “We weave stories like a spider weaves its web.” The two things converged to create a town of storytellers called Word Weavers. Then I asked myself the question, “What happens when one person doesn’t weave stories as well as every one in town?”

Okay, so the muse stuck with me through the first ¾ of the book and then deserted me. Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) came and I abandoned The Weaver for a shiny new idea. I wrote that new novel and even did the first pass edits before I came back to The Weaver. I was annoyed with myself that I had this perfectly charming story on my hard drive without an ending. But I had no clue how to end it. I forced myself to sit down and do the hard work. Funny thing, that was the resolution to the story, too. My heroine had to sit down and do the hard work to solve her problem.

I’m thrilled that The Weaver is a finalist in the EPIC eBook Awards. It is a real honor to know that the judges passed my story through after reading all the books they had to read. What I want is for kids to be able to discover The Weaver. Recognition, being a finalist for this award as well as the 2011 Global eBook Awards, is really valuable in getting the attention of librarians, teachers, parents and grandparents to say, “Hey, have you heard about this one?” The Weaver has a good message and I feel I’ve managed to tell it in a unique way.

NS  How do you keep a writing schedule in a busy household? Tell us about a typical workday.

KS  My four kids span the years of 12 – 19, so they are much more independent than when I first started writing eight years ago. They get themselves to and from school, so I’m able to get up and hop onto my laptop immediately. I do try to stop at some point during the day to exercise for an hour. This sedentary job takes a toll on a gal’s figure. I work until at least 3:00 when the middle schoolers get home. Sometimes they have things to do and places to be so I have to shut down the computer to attend their needs. Other times, they just do homework, so I keep working until 4:30 or 5:00 when my brain feels like it’s going to explode. Then I shut down and focus on family until about 8:00 or so when I hop back on to check email one last time. If I’m on the computer in the evening, the intent is for it to be personal. Somehow it always seems to hook back around to writing though!

NS  You have a new book to be published. Please tell us about it, how you came to write it and what your expectations are for it.

KS  Yes! Yippee!! It’s scheduled for release in MARCH! Oh my gosh, exciting times.

About SAVE THE LEMMINGS! : When Natalie’s Texty-Talky invention makes her an overnight sensation, the media digs until they find a way to smear her goody-goody image. When her best friends start believing what they read, Natalie’s sunny spirit is pushed to its limits. How will Natalie stop the lies and win her friends back? And who will SAVE THE LEMMINGS?

This is a very different book from The Weaver. It is contemporary fiction, for a slightly older middle grader. The idea hit me at the most inopportune time. My sisters and I were sharing a hotel room in Northern California during a visit to my dad’s. Luckily I was in the living room on a pull out couch with my sisters tucked away in a separate bedroom because about 4:00 in the morning I awoke with an idea for a book. The idea was so clear and well formed. About how a young inventor’s invention makes her an overnight success and the media loves her, but then turns on her. I had to fire up my laptop to capture the idea. The light from the screen of a laptop at 4:00 a.m. is obnoxiously bright. Thankfully I was alone in my portion of the suite.

What are my expectations for this book? Wow, I’ve never been asked that before. It would make a great Disney Channel movie. (Well, the more wholesome Disney Channel that I remember. I think they’re transitioning away from that.) But mostly, I’m excited to be able to offer new reading material to kids. Reading is such a crucial skill in life and developing a love for it as a kid makes it so much easier as an adult. I look at an author’s published materials as their portfolio. Like an artist offers a varied portfolio of landscapes, portraits and fantasy creatures in different mediums, an author should offer a varied choice in reading material.

I write short stories for young children, now I’ll have a published book for tweens and one for an older middle grader. I also write young adult and hope to be able to add a ya novel or three to my author portfolio soon. My hope is to be an author that parents, grandparents, librarians, bloggers can count on to provide good content for their varied readers. Remember those kids I mentioned earlier who range in age from 12 – 19? Yep, I’m constantly searching for reading materials for them. And I love when I can trust the content from an author and just hand one of their books to my kids.

 NS  How may people learn about you and where can your books be found?

KS  My website: www.kaistrand.com is a great one-stop shop. I have info about my books, where they are sold, any upcoming events, links to my social media, my email address. It is all there on my website.
That being said, please do like my author page on Facebook and feel free to send me emails. I love, love, love talking with readers, so don’t be shy!

NS  Kai, it was such a pleasure having you on the blog today!  I know the readers feel the same way.  I want to wish you the very best on your new book and on others to come.  Please visit here again.  We'd love it.

KS  Thank you, Nancy for inviting me to visit with you and your readers. It has been a pleasure.















Monday, January 30, 2012

What's Happening this Week on the Blog?

Hello, Dear Readers,

A quick preview of the week ahead:

Tomorrow, we have a guest appearing here:  Kai Strand, author of The Weaver. Kai is an award nominated author who I know you will enjoy getting to know.

We have another author later in the week, Gerald Duff, who is a prolific writer and has books too numerous to mention in entirety here.  His memoir, Home Truths:  A Deep East Texas Memory, was recently released to rave reviews everywhere.

I hope to find you here for these two outstanding authors, so different from each other, but so able.






Friday, January 27, 2012

Last Stop on Tour is the Wonderful Classic Children's Blog

Our last stop on the Sea Turtle Summer Tour is today.  We are visiting the very worthy and oh, so beautiful Classic Children's Books Blog.  This blog is so gorgeous that it's worth your time just to take a peek, even if you do not read the review!

PhotobucketThis has been a wonderful tour, thanks to Cheryl Malandrinos and Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours.

Please stop by, and take a look at what is said about the second book in the Bella and Britt Series.  The third, Bella Saves the Beach, will be launched in the summer of 2012.  Watch for it!






Thursday, January 26, 2012

On with the Tour at Reading, Writing & Ruckus

Reading, Writing & Ruckus




Today we travel to the Reading, Writing and Ruckus Blog. Let's find out what they think of our new Bella and Britt Series offering, Sea Turtle Summer.

Sea Turtle Summer remains on Amazon's Bestsellers for Children's List, and we are very happy about that.

The book is the second in the Bella and Britt Series. Best selling and award winning, One Pelican at a Time, was published in 2011. Bella Saves the Beach will be launched later this year, followed by Mystery at Manatee Key.

Many of my readers keep asking for a Bella and Britt dolphin book, and that may be in the offing. In the meantime, come on over to Reading, Writing & Rumpus today, and see what's being said about Sea Turtle Summer!



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Guest Post at Literarily Speaking Blog (Where Did My Muse Take Me?)

Did you ever wonder where the nugget of an idea for a book begins within the author's mind?  If so, please pop over to the Literarily Speaking Blog and find out how Sea Turtle Summer came to me.



I've had the privilege of visiting this blog previously, and it is always a pleasure.  I'll share a few lines of my guest post:

Sea Turtle Summer came to me, not on a glorious beach with glimmering white sand, but in a stark utilitarian hospital room. Talk about being led by your muse. She had to work wonders with this one.

Sea Turtle Summer may be purchased at Amazon.com, barnes & noble.com, Guardian Angel Publishing, and if you want an autographed copy, from my web or blog sites.




Monday, January 23, 2012

And the Newbery and Caldecott Medal Winners Are...

Jack Gantos' "Dead End in Norvelt" has won the John Newbery Medal for the best children's book of 2011. Chris Raschka's "A Ball for Daisy" won the Randolph Caldecott award for best illustrated story.

Dead End in NorveltGantos' novel follows the humorous adventures of a boy named Jack Gantos, grounded "for life" by his parents and prone to the most gushing nosebleeds. But he is restored by the stories he learns about his hometown, Norvelt, a planned community in Pennsylvania founded during the Great Depression.

Raschka's wordless picture book, told through watercolor, ink and gouache, recounts the saga of a dog whose beloved red ball is stolen by a bigger dog. The ball bursts and Daisy's spirit seems to break with it, until the other dog returns with a blue ball that is better than ever!

The Newbery and Caldecott prizes, the most prestigious in children's literature, were announced Monday by the American Library Association. Gantos' novel follows the improbable adventures of a boy named "Jack Gantos," while Raschka's picture book recounts the saga of a dog whose favorite toy is destroyed.

A Ball for DaisyBoth winners are well established in children's publishing. Gantos has been a finalist for the Newbery and National Book Award. Raschka won the Caldecott in 2006 for "The Hello, Goodbye Window."
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley, (Atheneum Books, 2011).

Coretta Scott King (author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” (Balzer + Bray, 2011).

Coretta Scott King (illustrator) Book Award:
Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom,” (Neal Porter Book, 2011).

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
Two books were selected for the middle school award (ages 9 to 13): “Close to Famous,” written by Joan Bauer (Viking, 2011).
Wonderstruck,” written by Brian Selznick, (Scholastic Press, 2011).
The teen (ages 14 to 18) award winner is “The Running Dream,” written by Wendelin Van Draanen, (Alfred A. Knopf, 2011).

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video:
Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producers of “Children Make Terrible Pets.” The video is based on the book written by Peter Brown.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:
Rotters,” produced Listening Library. The book is written by Daniel Kraus and narrated by Kirby Heyborne.

Congratulations to you all!





Sunday, January 22, 2012

ALA Youth Media Awards Announced January 23, 2012!

Tomorrow in Dallas (7:45 a.m. CT on Jan.23, 2012), the American Library Association (ALA) will  announce the top awards in children’s and young adult literature as part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 20 - 24.

American Library Association(Please see the video at the bottom of this post.)

The ALA Youth Media Awards honor children’s and young adult authors and illustrators, as well as producers of children’s audio and video materials.

Known worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards are selected under a cloak of secrecy by national judging committees composed of librarians and other children’s literature experts.


The ALA will announce 18 awards, including the renowned Caldecott and Newbery Medals, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards and Printz award.

  The books honored serve as a guide for parents, educators, librarians and those interested in providing children and teens with the very best reading and viewing materials.

Be sure to tune in.  And you parents out there, this is a great list for books for your kids and grandkids.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

HEAL Africa Students Share Their Creativity and Their Voices Through A Unique Children’s Book

The charity, HEAL Africa, is highlighting a wonderful new children’s book that features the creativity of over 30 young students at the Tungane and Mugunga schools in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

NdezeandNdakasi'sNewHomeThe book also highlights the inspirational work of HEAL Africa’s programs in DR Congo and features HEAL Africa’s Lyn Lusi as an inspirational female role model.

Ndeze and Ndakasi's New Homenn  is a touching tale of two orphaned gorillas who are rescued by a Park Ranger and eventually return to the forest where they were born.

Published by the nonprofit organization Dot-to-Dot Children’s Books, the book is based on drawings and stories by students at two schools supported by HEAL Africa – the Tungane School at HEAL Africa’s hospital in Goma and the Mugunga Primary School located at the Mugunga Refugee Camp.

Dot-to-Dot’s creative writing team selected favorite elements written during the workshop and combined them into a single story, making an expression of the collective creativity of the young students who helped write it.

I make it a point on this blog not to give purchase details of the books I showcase, but in this instance, I will make an exception because of the worthiness of the project. 

For anyone buying the book, 20% of the purchase price will be donated to HEAL Africa.  40% of sales  will be donated by entering the promo code,
HEALAFRICA at the time of purchase. An additional 10% of sales will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society to help protect endangered mountain gorillas and their habitat.

Soon I will post a further blog on gorillas and their care.  It concerns the Gorilla Doctors who care for wounded and/or orphaned gorillas.  Watch for it.

Sea Turtle Summer Visits The Writer's Life Blog Today

We are showcased today at The Writer's Life.  It is one of those all encompassing blogs dedicated to:

Bella and Brit hold hands across the sands
as the sand cleaning machine approaches the sea turtle nest.
Author Interviews, Book Promotion Tips, and more!

We Sea Turtle Summer folks are eager to read what they think of our book at this blog.  Just a reminder that the book has been on Amazon's Bestseller in Children's Books List.  It has also been on Amazon's Hot New Releases as well. 

Please pop by, and see what's happening at The Writer's Life Blog today!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sea Turtle Summer Tour Continues at Bluerose's Heart Blog

Hello, Dear Readers,

Let's pop over to Bluerose's Heart Blog and find out what is being said about the latest book in the Bella and Britt Series, Sea Turtle Summer. 

Bluerose's HeartThis is an interesting blog, full of ideas and great books to read.

Sea Turtle Summer, I am happy to say, has already been on Amazon's Bestseller's for Children List and Amazon's Hot New Releases. It is also available on Kindle.

Stop by, have a look, and leave a comment if you wish!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Turtle Embryos Can Communicate Across Eggs

River Murray Turtle embryos from South Australia,  can adjust their developmental rate so that all the eggs in a clutch can hatch around the same time, a new study has found. Young turtles face many challenges when they hatch and venture into the world.

Please see Ridley Kemp sea turtles hatching and making way for the sea in video below.)

Hatchlings, as a large group, work together to dig their way out of the nest more easily. And their arrival all at the same time increases their survival chances, as predators are swamped by high numbers of prey. 

Scientists investigated incubation and group hatching in the River Murray Turtle. Although the temperature of the nest affects the developmental rate of eggs, researchers discovered another factor that influences their growth rate ― embryo to embryo communication.

"Turtle embryos are somehow communicating their developmental rates to each other so that they can emerge as a group," said Ricky-John Spencer, zoologist from the University of Western Sydney, and co-author of the study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society today.
Importance of temperature for the embryo.



River Murray Turtles lay large numbers of eggs (up to 30 in one clutch). Eggs near the top of the nest are exposed to warmer temperatures and develop faster than those in the bottom layers. Surprisingly though, all the eggs still hatch at a similar time.

Researchers found that River Murray Turtle eggs in the cooler patches of the nest can adjust their metabolic rates and increase their development, allowing them to catch up to their more advanced siblings.

Baby loggerhead sea turtle photo
In the nest there is some type of signalling between the unborn siblings that enables all eggs to develop fully and hatch together, regardless of the temperature differences. Scientists suspect that carbon dioxide levels or heart rates may be cues for increased metabolism, but further studies are needed to investigate these factors.

First Stop on Tour is Between the Covers Blog

This morning kicks off my continued Sea Turtle Summer Tour with Pump Up Your Book.  We are going to Between the Covers, a thoughtful and terrific blog.

Hello, You Beautiful World
This blog spotlights books reviews them.  It's a gorgeous blog.  Come on over, and be a part of Between the Covers!

The photo used here is of baby Loggerhead sea turtles emerging from their nest on the coast of Florida.  These babies all arrived safely to the sea with the help of dedicated volunteers who assisted them in their journey. 

Thank you to everyone who helps in this worthwhile endeavor worldwide.  May the sea turtle populations stabalize through this effort.

Hands Across the Sands!





Sunday, January 15, 2012

Sea Turtle Summer Book Tour Continues

Below please find the schedule for my Sea Turtle Summer Book Tour.  I hope you come along with me.  The book will be reviewed at some great blogs, and I'm excited about this tour.  In addition, I'll be posting my regular assortment of offerings on topics from around the world.

(Please view trailer of Sea Turtle at bottom of this post).

Monday, January 16th

Book excerpt featured at Between the Covers

Tuesday, January 17th

Book reviewed at Good Family Reads

Wednesday, January 18th

Book reviewed at Bluerose’s Heart

Book reviewed at Year of Jubilee Reviews

Thursday, January 19th

Book spotlighted at The Writer’s Life

Friday, January 20th

Book reviewed at Sweet Peripety

Tuesday, January 24th

Book reviewed at BookSpark

Wednesday, January 25th

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, January 26th


Friday, January 27th

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Coral Sea to be Home to World's Largest Marine Park

In these days of environmental change and general concern about the state of our planet, particularly the oceans, one country is taking action in a positive direction. 

(Please see video of the Coral Sea at the bottom of this post.)

Australia has moved to set up the world's biggest marine park to protect vast areas of the Coral Sea off the country's northeast coast and the site of fierce naval battles during World War Two.

Environment Minister Tony Burke said the park would cover almost 1 million square km -- an area the size of France and Germany combined -- and would help protect fish, pristine coral reefs and nesting sites for sea birds and the green turtle.

"The environmental significance of the Coral Sea lies in its diverse array of coral reefs, sandy cays, deep sea plains and canyons," Burke said. "It contains more than 20 outstanding examples of isolated tropical reefs, sandy cays and islands."

The new park would also cover ships sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea, a series of naval engagements between Japanese, American and Australian forces in 1942, considered the world's first aircraft carrier battle.

Three U.S. ships were known to have sunk in the northeastern area of the Coral Sea, the USS Lexington, the USS Sims and the USS Neosho, Burke said.

The government will finalize what limits will be imposed on the Coral Sea marine park, which will be within Australia's economic zone, in 90 days.

The world's largest reserve currently was established by Britain last year around the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which includes coral atoll The Great Chagos Bank.


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Wimpy Kid Author, Jeff Kinnney, Reveals All

One of the biggest children's book of 2012 was published in November, 2011. With a print run of a cool half a million copies, Jeff’s Kinney’s sixth Wimpy Kid novel, Cabin Fever, is the latest instalment of a bestselling children’s book series that has already generated two Hollywood films and legions of dedicated young fans.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever cover art.jpg(Please see the official trailer of 'Cabin Fever' at the bottom of this post.)

Author, Jeff Kinney, answers questions from John McLay of the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature.
Q: Can you remember where you were when the idea for Wimpy Kid popped into your head?
A: Yes! I was in my apartment near Boston. I had been keeping a journal, which I filled with cartoon drawings. I realised the format was appealing, and I thought that if I wrote for kids, I might have a shot at success.

Q: How painful, or funny, was it to drag up all of those school memories of your own?
A: It was a lot of fun. I don't have fond memories of middle school, but I think bad memories can make for good comedy.


Q: What was a being a kid like for you?
A: I had a normal upbringing. I think my stories are grounded in real life, and my childhood was no different from anyone else's.


Interview with Jeff Kinney, Wimpy Kid authorQ: Did you ever write a diary? Sorry, a "journal"?
A: I kept a journal in my late 20s to help motivate me to work on my cartoons. I wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist, but my journals inspired me to become an author instead.


Q: How often are you in schools checking out what kids get up to?
A: Never. I wish I could become a teacher part-time, because it would fill my head with ideas.

Q: Do your own sons provide you with all the ammunition you need to write the Wimpy Kid books?  
A: I don't get a lot of ideas from my sons, but it is great to see childhood through their eyes. The best thing I can do to write is just be a dad and experience life as everyone else does.

Q: What was your tactic for surviving school? Any tips?
A I tried to stay invisible! Middle school wasn't much fun for me. We had some bullying going on, and the best thing to do was to stay out of their way.

Q: Did you ever think you’d write (or draw) for kids?
A: I didn't! I wanted to be a federal law enforcement agent at one time.

Q: Who were some of the authors you read when you first got into books?
A: I really liked Judy Blume, and my favorite book was Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. I liked the main character, Peter Hatcher, because he seemed like an ordinary kid I could relate to. And I liked the humor, which was realistic and not outlandish.

Q: Do you prefer writing or drawing?
A: I struggle mightily with both! I'm almost always under deadline for something, so it takes away a lot of the joy I might have if I could write or draw casually. I crave the satisfaction of being done with something rather than being in the process.

Q: Greg Heffley, your main character, is not always easy to like. Have you grown to love him over the course of writing six books about his life?
A: Because Greg is close to my own personality, I don't see him in the way I see other characters. I think Greg is flawed, but in a realistic way that most people are.


Q: Do you think kids are the same the world over?
A: I think most kids are fundamentally the same. I've been surprised that my books have done well outside of the United States, and it confirms the feeling that kids are the same everywhere you go.


Q: Can you write and draw on the move, or do you have to be at home, at your desk, total quiet, no interruptions?
A: I do all of my illustrations on a computer tablet, so that makes it hard to draw everywhere I go. But if I'm going on a long trip, I'll bring all my gear with me.


Q: How involved were in the making of the two Wimpy Kid films?
A: I was very much involved. For each film, I was on set for about half the time, and I do a lot of work before and after the film gets made. But during filming, I'm a bystander.


Q: Please reassure the world that Wimpy Kid will be back for a seventh outing?
A: Yes! I'm working out ideas for the plot now!


Q: Lastly, how has Wimpy Kid changed your life?
A: In some ways, the changes have been extreme. I've gotten to meet presidents and thousands of fans. But in most ways, my life is just the same as it was before. I live in a small town and I have a very ordinary life!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Siblings – January 2012 Issue


 
Our January 2012 theme for the month is all about siblings. Come along and reminisce about your childhood through the delightful poetry and stories in this month's issue and don't forget to share your memories with your children.

Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Donna M. McDine
Featured BookS:
My Sister is My Best Friend a TRILINGUAL Flip Book by Nicole Weaver, illustrated by Clara Batton Smith
My Brother the Frog by Kevin McNamee, illustrated by Alexander Morris

Children’S poetry, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:
“My Little Brother” by Katie (age 10) – the antics of a little brother and big sister’s frustration.
“Hailey’s Homework,” by Juliana Jones and illustrated by Jack Foster – Young Hailey is too little for homework and makes up her own assignment with unhappy results.
“Monsters and Brothers,” by Judy L. Forney and illustrated by Samantha Bell – The roller coaster ride of brothers and how they tease one another.
“Keys to Help Your Child Score Well on Standardized Tests,” by Nicole Weaver - Tips to help you prepare your child for standardized tests beyond the studying.
Featured Drawing, Games & Activities:
Draw and paint your brothers and sisters with Painting Board

Featured Games from Guardian Angel Publishing Books
Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.
We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.
Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.
The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.







Sunday, January 1, 2012

Maurice Sendak: 'I don't believe that I have ever written a children's book.'

Please forgive me for posting another entry about children's author, Maurice Sendak so quickly after a previous one.  When I read his remarks in an interview by Jenna Busch of the British art institution, The Tate, is was interesting to me.  Curious, too.

(Take a look at the video of Mr. Sendak's comments in the video at the bottom of the post.)

Sendak is the author of one of the world's best known children's books,  Where the Wild Things Are.  Many of his other books have become time tested classics.

In the interview, Mr. Sendak said something quite surprising:

I don't believe that I have ever written a children's book.  How do you set out to write a children's book? It's a lie ... The magic of childhood and the strangeness of childhood, the uniqueness that makes us see things that other people don't see.


Sendak cites Herman Melville as an artistic influence, saying:

Herman Melville said that artists have to take a dive and either you hit your head on a rock and you split your skull and you die or that blow to the head is so inspiring that you come back up and do the best work that you ever did. But you have to take the dive and you do not know what the result will be.