It's Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

Happy Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature 

Children’s reading and play advocates Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom teamed up to create an ambitious (and much needed) national event.  On January 27th, Jump into a Book and Pragmatic Mom will be presenting the first ever Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way of celebrating diversity in children’s books.For more information on the day please explore the website for the day here.

For my part in this wonderful event I offer my review of Diego's Dragon, Book One: Spirits of the Sun by Kevin Gerard and Jennifer Fong, which I received from Crying Cougar Press.
The book is an urban fantasy for middle grade and young adult readers written by Kevin Gerard and illustrated by Jennifer Fong. Eleven-year-old Diego Ramirez wins a district-wide writing contest for sixth graders. When an author visits his school to award his prize, Diego Ramirez has no idea how much his life is about to change. Author Nathan Sullivan visits his school and hands Diego his prize; a handsome, glistening black dragon statue, and shakes his hand and leaves him to his friends. After hearing the name Magnifico spoken aloud by family and friends and some unusual happenings, Diego gives the name to his new dragon. He did not know just how fitting the name was. Magnifico is the leader of the Sol Dragones, dragons that live within the magical fires of the sun. Nathan Sullivan is the earth's connection to the mysterious creatures and it was his task to find Magnifico's guide. As Magnifico comes to life he becomes quite mischievous, playing tricks on Diego to embarrass him while helping him discover his destiny. In a climactic journey, Diego frees his people and suffers a terrible loss by guiding Magnifico to their goal.
See my full review of the book here.

The hosts and co-creators of Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

Valarie Budayr of Jump Into a Book is a best-selling children’s author of The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden and The Ultimate Guide To Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. She is passionate about making kid’s books come alive and is proud to be a play and reading advocate. Valarie’s mission is to inspire children,families, and communities, to experience and create our world together while having fun.


Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom is a Harvard grad with a love  of children’s books (picture books through YA) and sneaking in teachable moments in art, science, math, foreign language and language arts. Mia is passionate about getting kids excited about reading and helping parents ensure that their child is successful at school.


Our Wonderful Sponsors!
Wisdom Tales Press:
Wisdom Tales Press is a children’s book imprint of World Wisdom for the purpose of sharing the wisdom and beauty of cultures around the world with young readers and their families. Visit Wisdom Tales Books.





Chronicle Books:
One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes illustrated titles in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle and pop culture, as well as much-admired books for children and ancillary products through its gift division. Chronicle Books’ objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. For more information about Chronicle Books, visit www.chroniclekids.com


Lee & Low Books:
An award-winning children’s book publisher focusing on diversity. Our books are about everyone, for everyone. LEE & LOW BOOKS is a children’s book publisher focusing on diversity. Our award-winning multicultural books are about everyone, for everyone. Our goal is to meet the need for stories that all children can identify with and enjoy. We publish picture books, middle grade, and YA titles, including bilingual books under our CBP imprint and science fiction and fantasy under our Tu Books imprint.

Author Susan Fayad
Susan Daniel Fayad, author of My Grandfather’s Masbaha was written as a tribute to her father to honor him in the eyes of her children. Fayad wrote the book to highlight Lebanese culture while emphasizing a universal theme of appreciation and counting your blessings. You can connect with Susan on Twitter (@grandadmasbaha ) or Facebook.

Results for Goodread's Best Young Adult Fiction 2013

Here is the winner, and runners up, to the Goodread's Reader's Choice Award for 2013's Young Adult Fiction. I apparently have not read as much young fiction as I thought I did. I only know about half the titles, and have only laid hands on half of those. Do you agree with the picks? Do you have a young adult favorite from 2013 that you thing should be listed? Something that you think has no business being on the list?

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll
remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

3. Dare You To by Katie McGarry

4. United We Spy by Ally Carter

5. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

6. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

7. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

8. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

9. Ali's Pretty Little Lies by Sara Shepard

10. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

11. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

12. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

13. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

14. Game by Barry Lyga

15. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

16. Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

17. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

18. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

19. Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

20. Golden by Jessi Kirby

Results of Goodreads Best Middle Grade and Children's Book Awards for 2013

I am glad to say that I have read a good number of these, and most of the others are already on my to be read list. Did the Goodread's members miss your favorite? What was your favorite children's or middle grade book of the year?

1. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan
If the five demigods can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors of Death and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

2. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.

3. Dork Diaries 6 by Rachel Renée Russell

4. The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer

5. Doll Bones by Holly Black

6. The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
7. The Sun Trail by Erin Hunter

8. Fyre by Angie Sage

9. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

10. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

11. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

12. Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull

13. Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

14. Trust No One by Linda Sue Park

15. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

16. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

17. The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente

18. The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan

19. Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong

20. Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Saturday Book News Review

I have set up a bunch of Google alerts to help give me blog post ideas for my work on the Cheshire Library blog. But, since I only need to post there once or twice a week, I have much more interesting fodder for writing than I need. So begins my weekly post of new bits and like around the web that relate to book news.

For instance, The Guardian reports that Jim Carrey is self-publishing a children's book. Not just any children's book, but one about a wave's metaphysical understanding of his existence and his part of the world at large. My biggest question on this article was not about the book, by why they ran a goofy picture of Carrey rather than a normal one.

The New York Times ran an article about how authors are starting to tackle bullying in a more determined manner. While bullying and the struggle to fit in has always been a part of literature of all genres, it has gotten much more attention and become the focus of many more titles lately. One I am eager to get my hands on is an collection of essays “Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories,” (HarperTeen 2011). It includes true stories from writers such as R. L. Stine, about how they faced bullying and how it honestly does get better. The best part is that a portion of the proceeds go to charity.

On a similar note, the Mercury News published an article about how books are tackling a variety of very tough ideas. Crisis and struggles such as school shootings, rape, sex, war, terrorism, post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, discrimination, substance abuse, death, and grieving might have always been found in books, but they are becoming easier to find and can hopefully help young readers (and their support systems) deal with how this things affect them both directly and indirectly.

BuzzSugar published an article about popular young adult books that you should read now, before they hit the big screen. The picks run a wide gamut of styles, from John Green's The Fault in our Stars to The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney and the eagerly awaited The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

And then there is Amazon buying Goodreads, which could change a great many things, but we wont see the fall out of this decision for a while.

Have you read any interesting book news you want to share?

Last day to enter giveaway!!

Today is your last chance to enter the giveaway for Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes! This great new fantasy novel for children and younger teens would be great for your permeant collection or as a gift to a reader in your life.

All you need to do to enter is answer a question, telling me your favorite fantasy book or world created in literature. It does not have be from a children's book, just your personal favorite.

Come on, it is easy, you know you want i!

Book Review and Giveaway: Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes

Blog Look Updated

If you have not noticed yet, I am updating the look of my blog. It is still a work in progress. I intend to add my review criteria and how to contact me for review requests, guest blogging, and other fun stuff. I would love some feedback, suggestions, and issues that you might see.

What do you think??

Netgalley Month- January 2012 Edition

I feel like I read an awful lot this month, but at the same time that I did not read as much as I could have. Here is my reading list, at least of NetGalley books. I will admit to having read three or four library books between these. So at least I know I read more than I am listing here.  

Don't Bite the Messenger by Regan Summers (Urban fantasy)  
Daughter of the Centaurs by K.K. Ross (Young adult/fantasy)  
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (young adult/historical/urban fantasy)
Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary by Keshni Kashyap (young adult/graphic novel)  
Under His Influence by Justine Elyot (erotica/science fiction/suspense) How to Make a Golem and Terrify People by Allete J. Willis (Children)
First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts by Lari Don (Children) Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O'Connor (Young adult/Graphic novel) Popular Clone by M.E. Castle (Children)
Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven (Romance/suspense)
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Non-fiction)
Dotter of Her Father's Eyes by Mary Talbot and Brian Talbot (Graphic Novel)
Terrible, Awful, Horrible Manners! by Beth Bracken, illustrated by Richard Watson (picture book)
Tall: Great American Folktales, edited by Donnie Lemke (Children/graphic novel)
Ragnarok by A. S. Byatt (historical, partly biographical part mythology)
Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo (children/non-fiction)

So I read sixteen NetGalley books. There were a couple I read the first pages of and decided to shuffle behind others on my list. However, I'll be proud of my sixteen, and hope to do better in the next NetGalley Month.

Challenges for 2012

I am not going to bore everyone with the number of books I read in 2011, or the challenges that I have participated in. Lets just say that it was a busy year laden with renewed and new friendships and more than a few hardships for those I care about most. So I am jumping, or hobbling, into 2012 determined that it will be a better year all around.

So, despite the fact that my posting will still be hap hazard for the next few weeks (still short a netbook) I have joined two challenges and will be using these to get me going in the right direction. The first challenge is NetGalley Month, hosted at Red House Books. The challenge encourages those of us using NetGalley to read as many of the galleys we have stored up as possible, catching up on the inevitable backlog of books created when you just cannot stop looking for more. This will be my third time participating, and hopefully my most successful.

My other challenge is the TBR Challenge 2012 hosted by Wendy at the Misadventures of Super Librarian. This challenge will help me stop ignoring the books I actually own, and still have yet to read. I need to hurry up and pick my January book so I can stay on track, I already feel like I am behind.

My personal challenge is to better balance my reading and writing time. I tend o go a couple weeks focusing on one, then feel guilty that I am slacking in the other, and then switching. Since the sad demise of my notebook, the reading has taken over and now I have hit a bit of a blah slum. Two galleys I started, and put away, because I just could not get into them. I am back at one of them now and limping my way through. Another galley is a book that I read months ago and apparently has been renamed. *sigh*

For today, I will use my husband's laptop and do what I can while playing referee for the kids, and hope that this year holds up to its promise for everyone.

Crafty Post

I just wanted to share a few of my recent crochet projects.

This is the jumper and matching blanket I made for my daughter. Here is a close up of the blanket.

The patterns are slightly modified version of patterns in the Loops & Threads Pocket Pals booklet from Michaels.

And here is the project I am making for myself. This is the front panel of my new sweater.

And a close up of the center panel. I am currently about half way through the first sleeve. And am extremely proud that I can crochet this while watching the kiddies and reading a book on my netbook.

Part of my fun for today was a break to take pictures. I also got some shots of my container garden (which I posted on my new garden blog) and my kids (which will eventually make it to flicker and/or facebook.

Slowed Down

I have slowed down on my writing considerably with the chaos involved in life right now, but and starting my attempt to revive my flow. Is there anything you want reviewed? Teen books? Children's books? Any specific titles or genres you want to know more about before picking up? I will gladly research, read and review.

Do you want to read my articles on related topics or want more of my real life quandaries? Ask and receive. Readers choice for the next few weeks as I move and restructure in real life. I will do my best to fulfill all requests.

Real Life Update

If anyone noticed I had a little over a week with no posts. Well- life has been more than a little crazy lately.

First the sad. My mother in law was diagnosed with ALS in April. Towards the end of June she started deteriorating quickly. Three weeks ago she was hospitalized and a week ago today she passed away. My mother in law was a wonderful woman. She was tiny, but had a huge personality. Also looking on the bright side and willing to help anyone. She touched a lot of lives and the community showed it. There were over 300 people come to the wake and another 300+ to her funeral. The Postal Carriers in town also gave her a fantastic tribute.

Now the stressful- when mom was originally diagnosed my husband and I thought it would be a helpful thing for us to move. In our current house his parents could have one floor living (they own the house we are living in as well as their home). So we went house hunting and are currently under contract to buy a house. Our closing August 9th, but now my father in law will have two houses to deal with and we still have to do the packing, painting and moving.

The Good- my oldest starts preschool this August, so yea!? So one morning a week it will be just me and the youngest. There are still some logistics to figure out on the days I work but we're almost there. Can the poor kid have some more serious life events packed into two months to really screw up his potty training and behavior??

House

For those that have asked here is a general life update.

My youngest is turning two in a couple weeks, which is scary. She is learning everything far too quickly and is out pacing her big brother in vocabulary at record speed. Big brother is doing a super job staying potty focused despite the changes to our schedule. I hope he adjusts as well to the changes to come, like the new house and preschool.

The house is moving forward. The appraisal finally happened, and went well. The current owners have already done all the little things we asked for after the inspection as well as the one the the appraiser wanted done. Three more weeks until the mortgage commitment date. As long as that comes through with no delays we should be closing and moving the first week of August.

Also, I was made a Featured Contributor on Associated Content for Arts & Entertainment. I'm afraid that some parts of my life are going too well. The only shadow is my Mother in law's illness, and I hate that there is nothing I can do to help. It is sad seeing such an active, vibrant woman losing her strength and ability to get out there and DO. I wish more progress had already been made in fighting ALS. There seem to be great things for fighting it on the way, but getting them to people and studies will likely take too long to help us.

House

We are in contract to buy a house. We have had the first inspection and started cleaning and packing up our current house. One appraisal and final mortgage stuff still in the works. We should be closing and moving in August as long as everything goes according to plan.

house

We have officially made an offer on a house. Breathe is held, fingers crossed and tension headaches have begun. Updates will be coming pending acceptance.

Real life

Sorry for the delay between posts, real life has interfered with my writing and blogging life.

For anyone that is interested in the actual life for the person behind the words I am going to share the short hand of the current going ons of my life. My mother in law has been diagnosed with a serious, progressive illness. So we are all trying to deal with the realities of that diagnosis and take the steps necessary to make her life as pleasant and full of love as possible. Hence, new arrangements needed to be made for childcare, as she took care of my two crazy toddlers one day a week, and simply can not handle that any more. Also we are house hunting so that my in laws can move into the home we are currently living in (which we rent from them at this time) where they can have single story living to make life easier.

So, I apologize in advance if anyone misses my regular poems and book reviews. I will try to keep up as much as I can. I appreciate all my readers, and welcome any comments or constructive criticism for my poetry, book reviews or other writing that I post here. Please keep reading and let me know that you are out there. Most of the time I feel like I am talking to myself here, which isn't out of the ordinary for me.

Checking in

I have been updating the look and style of the blog, thank you for your patience as I likely will continue to fine tune the feel of the blog. Suggestions are welcome, in regards to the new look and content. Do you want to see more of something? Less? I am not promising to follow all of them, but if something would get you reading more or less often I would like to know.

Life is crazy for my household, and the majority of my closest friends and co-workers.So personal updates will most likely wait until there are answers for all the open questions of the moment.