tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154642502024-03-07T14:19:22.217+08:00Children's LiteratureA space to record books that I've read and anything related to children's literature.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-77391394594563720492008-08-22T15:15:00.008+08:002008-08-26T08:50:25.710+08:00One Little Feather Can Easily Grow Into Five Hens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8R5elESkGyYVNI1CJqRZ4rVwW18GYKnjt9Frv9UQtdcrxHO0IS8KXYSZCDPnx1gJlsACbouLyy8KDKwoXj6jZNvHHK6MzIPuKstQhkkEVdZ6jgTKWvVUUkXWPb79nq_V0LG7/s1600-h/Image080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238622260869046594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8R5elESkGyYVNI1CJqRZ4rVwW18GYKnjt9Frv9UQtdcrxHO0IS8KXYSZCDPnx1gJlsACbouLyy8KDKwoXj6jZNvHHK6MzIPuKstQhkkEVdZ6jgTKWvVUUkXWPb79nq_V0LG7/s320/Image080.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Respectable hen: "There it goes, the more I pluck, the more beautiful I become." (She said it with a merry note of humour before falling asleep).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Half asleep hen: "Did you hear what she said? She intends to pluck herself in order to look beautiful. If I were a rooster, I would despise her." (Telling her neighbour before falling asleep).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The owl who overheard: "Have you heard? <em>Too-Whoo</em>! There is a hen who has plucked out all her feathers for the sake of the rooster. She will freeze to death, if she is not frozen already. <em>Whoo-whoo</em>!" (Telling his friend in the neighbour's dovecote).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The doves: "Believe every word of what we tell you. There is a hen or two who has plucked out all her feathers in order not to look like the others and to attract the attention of the rooster. It is a dangerous game, for one can easily catch cold and die from fever, and she's already dead." (Telling other doves).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The rooster who overheard: " Wake up! Wake up! Three hens have died of their unfortunate love for a rooster. They plucked out all their feathers. It is a horrible story, and I cannot keep it to myself. Quick, tell the others!" (Telling everyone in and around the henhouse).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Friend of Respectable hen: "Five hens have plucked out all their feathers to show which of them had grown leanest for love of the rooster, and then they all pecked at each other till the blood ran down and they fell down dead." (Telling Respectable hen herself).</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Abstract from There Is No Doubt </span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">from Andersen's Fairy Tales </span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">retold by Friederun Reichenstetter; </span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">illustrated by Silke Leffler.</span></em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-12519834575685562802008-08-11T15:55:00.004+08:002008-08-11T16:15:39.442+08:00Read a Fantasy NovelFantasy helps us<br /><br />to understand ourselves,<br /><br />to face struggles as human beings.<br /><br /><br /><br />Fantasy reveals<br /><br />new insights into the world of reality,<br /><br />good versus evil,<br /><br />humanity of humankind,<br /><br />meaning of life and death.<br /><br /><br /><br />Fantasy is never outdated,<br /><br />neither is it didactic.<br /><br /><br /><br />Fantasy ignite our imagination,<br /><br />to conceive alternative way of life,<br /><br />to entertain new ideas,<br /><br />to dream dreams.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-61318175951993032082008-07-09T10:38:00.013+08:002008-07-09T11:19:44.497+08:00Spellbound by Anna Dale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRYz_9ScLYq_i_QaduL2IvNgx70h1X9qj28KeM8Ivg8LFi8gwbzEOpNJZ7c7pUioTXNYCgLQNSNUZUdW6QSnFtuuAx9dAfzrKLw95bF0tUVXuOCwGS-gsFO9eyZQcDG4bifD3/s1600-h/Spellbound.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220843624311442034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRYz_9ScLYq_i_QaduL2IvNgx70h1X9qj28KeM8Ivg8LFi8gwbzEOpNJZ7c7pUioTXNYCgLQNSNUZUdW6QSnFtuuAx9dAfzrKLw95bF0tUVXuOCwGS-gsFO9eyZQcDG4bifD3/s320/Spellbound.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Excerpts</strong></span></div><br /><div></div><div>Of course, there are some people who have nothing at all in common and yet can get along extremely well. Regrettably, this was not the case with the two Enright children. Athene detested her brother from the minute she set eyes on him,........</div><br /><div></div><div>She encountered moths and a hedgehog, snails and two rabbits, nibbling at Mr Stirrup's lettuces; and finally she came across the most amazing creature of all.</div><br /><div></div><div>'What is your kind, exactly?' asked Athene.</div><br /><div></div><div>'I'm human, same as you. Only I'm a Gloam and you're a Glare.'</div><br /><div></div><div>In the split second that she saw its silhouette, the tree looked monstrous, with its grotesque trunk and its branches like tentacles. She pictured the Low Gloam living beneath its roots, forcing their slaves to obey their every command.</div><br /><div></div><div>Athene stood back and watched him as he bent to peer inside the trunk. She didn't shout out. She didn't try to stop him. He slipped into the tree and disappeared. </div><br /><div></div><div>After a few minutes, Athene inched closer. 'Zach?' she said.</div><br /><div></div><div>There was no reply.</div><br /><div>The rain drummed on the road and the thunder boomed.</div><br /><div></div><div>She waited for a moment more; then turned away, thrilled and appalled by what she had just done.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Personal comments</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">A good read for those who likes a little mystery and fantasy. It is a magical story within real setting. The realistic part of the story brings out the fact that there is good and bad inside ourselves; there is good and bad in every tribe and in every nation too. Suitable for age 9 to 12.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></div></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>About the author</strong></span></div><div></div><a href="http://www.bloomsbury.com/childrens/microsite.asp?id=626&section=3"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.bloomsbury.com/childrens/microsite.asp?id=626&section=3</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-52951770617362377872007-05-24T17:17:00.000+08:002007-05-24T17:30:59.489+08:00Trends in Teen LiteratureI was sifting through a pile of papers and came across an article published in Seattle Post dated 8 March 07 on the top trends in teen literature. The observations are definitely point on and they include the proliferation of racy chick lit, more cross-over title such as Tamar by Mal Peet, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Aside from this there is the cross-over of adult authors writing for teens such as Isabel Allende and the continual fascination with fantasy brought on by none other than the Harry Potter success. Books for teens are also longer than they used to be before also another pattern followed from the Harry Potter books. And of course the rise of graphic novels and their increasing presence in the teenager's world.<br />So what impact does this have on the reader? Well I think it spells a boon for the teen reader who now has a wider variety of materials to browse from and also an industry that has begun to take note of the teenager reader and placed considerable time and funds to cater to their growing needs. Given that the average teenager has a greater spending power, publishers are surely going out of their way to attract this section of the population which was previously forgotten. Good news for all teenagers I bet.vegpiranhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12142184664896166200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-49566281039239673972007-05-21T15:00:00.000+08:002007-05-21T15:06:41.551+08:00TwilightCurrently I'm reading Twilight, the Young Adult novel by Stephanie Meyer. It is an easy read but oh so fascinating and enthralling as well. A young girl falls in love with a vampire. You'd think this was a boring topic, so Buffy the Vampire Slayer kind of love but it is done well and with finesse as well. I find that the author has taken pains to craft the story poignantly and as I haven't finished reading the novel yet, I cannot say what the outcome is but this title has received good reviews as far as I have known which compelled me to read it in the first place and also because my colleague happened to have a review copy at hand. I would encourage anyone to give it a go cause is it largely about forbidden love.vegpiranhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12142184664896166200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-16096023850015201152007-05-18T16:00:00.000+08:002007-05-18T15:54:09.318+08:00Bologna Ragazzi Award ExhibitionWhen I was at the Bologna Childrens' Book Fair recently, I took the opportunity to visit the <a href="http://sg.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nlselk/slideshow?.dir=/64ebscd&.src=ph">Bologna Ragazzi Award Exhibition</a>. <br /><br />40 years of the history of international children’s publishing were on display at the exhibition. It gathered the 150 prize-winning books and more than 500 titles that received special mentions by the Bologna’s Children’s Book Fair from 1966 till 2007. At the end of the exhibition, the books would be made available at Sala Borsa Ragazzi Library. <br /><br />The exhibition was held at the <a href="http://sg.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nlselk/slideshow?.dir=/64ebscd&.src=ph">Archiginnasio Piazza Galvani</a>. The building was built in 1563 and was the University of Bologna until 1803. Today it is an important town library where invaluable manuscripts, antique drawings, prints and photographs are preserved. Here also housed the historical 17th century Teatro Anatomico (Anatomy Theatre) where famous ancient doctors such as Galen and Hippocrates studied the body, learnt about dissection and performed operations.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-71527941401532668042007-05-15T15:39:00.000+08:002007-05-17T17:01:18.927+08:00Bologna Children's Book Fair 2007The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the most important international event dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry.In its 44th edition, the Fair offers more than 20,000 square meters of exhibition space that spread across 7 pavilions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvI6qU8uVZUJTljHVbJFhz70poeLmcv6gAxwDtepVHbr8OdPW_ICU0I5VwzWdNsUqpQ6pPo7cFu-RmN8Iv7qqw_-4jdWXYRIDMz2F3yYVs1NdVAFxmSnj81rYrCAlQu7N70K0/s1600-h/Bologna+-+Lai+Kuan+076.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvI6qU8uVZUJTljHVbJFhz70poeLmcv6gAxwDtepVHbr8OdPW_ICU0I5VwzWdNsUqpQ6pPo7cFu-RmN8Iv7qqw_-4jdWXYRIDMz2F3yYVs1NdVAFxmSnj81rYrCAlQu7N70K0/s320/Bologna+-+Lai+Kuan+076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064690406376796706" /></a><br />It was an eye-opener visiting the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Many foreign language books were represented at the fair. It is interesting to see the Italian version of Harry Potter with a totally different illustration on the book cover ! I must say that I do like it better as it looks more like a children's book.<br /><br />The Book Fair also featured an illustrators' exhibition that is the largest and most prestigious international display of the most innovative trends in children’s illustration. Out of 2,653 entries from 58 countries, 85 illustrators were selected by an influential panel of judges to showcase their talent, publish in the Annual which is a reference tool that publishers use year-round and be part of the travelling shows organised by Japan Board on Books for Young People (JBBY). Within the exhibtion area, there were Illustrators Cafes where illustrators introduce themselves to professionals looking for new talent. The panel of judges also use the cafes to share and discuss the reasons behind their selection.<br /><br />Here's where you can see some <a href="http://sg.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nlselk/slideshow?.dir=/69fcscd&.src=ph">photos of the illustrations </a>taken by me :)novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-47682489124200931032007-04-19T20:37:00.000+08:002007-04-19T21:30:16.577+08:00First experience and thotsI had my first experience of sitting behind a readers' advisary counter to serve our customers this afternoon. Customer service is really a very different experience from office work. When you are facing the public, you must be at your very best! You must be perceived to be fair and know the operations at finger tips. In addition, you must also be able to understand the needs of your customers; especially when they are not able to articulate what they really need help on!<br /><br />Thanks to Norlizah, my colleague-cum-experienced librarian, for showing me the ropes the whole afternoon. Her gentle and patient manner definitely had a calming effect on me. I was able to stay calm, observe her in action and even attend to two customers.<br /><br />What really caught my attention today was teenagers do not mind hanging out at the children section of the library! In fact, quite a number of secondary school students were occupying the kiddie chairs and tables. This is contrary to booksellers' report about teens not wanting to be seen at the children books section at the bookstores. The only reason i can think of is that Singapore teens do not have enough space to hang out together after school.<br /><br />This brings to mind what Patrick Jones said about library services to teenagers when he was in Singapore recently. One important element is to provide them with their own space. Hope that when it is time to upgrade the existing libraries, we can look into re-designing and creating these spaces for them to form learning communities.<br /><br />What do you think? Do you have other reason(s) on why the secondary school students are at the children section instead of the AYP section? Is this an issue or opportunity for us?novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-37735267164258349912007-04-11T10:50:00.000+08:002007-04-11T12:26:47.479+08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj1OLqhuTx5-la65rW4noAc9yVZRJd23TeIuHSkpzmFHXdh64y_TNbHAJJwJFxNH3gv1TIsIOQUEoioaAw4s3Cu8pF4j6h6Wi_y6Qnbm0aq2tkzolGUrNfRgI4jEz6P_68xeW/s1600-h/Warriors.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUPu5s2k9rG_XKwkjdAEfwD0o-hvKWXc_fcqT9lv0cl6LFPvya2VVQwsZZvIQS704-y-wBL35WZi87iLvFqUCN_bq3SQYKg35R9snOBleiKxY8WA2ivMjkF1hhq7vqUYg92Ih/s1600-h/Bone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052021034015109506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUPu5s2k9rG_XKwkjdAEfwD0o-hvKWXc_fcqT9lv0cl6LFPvya2VVQwsZZvIQS704-y-wBL35WZi87iLvFqUCN_bq3SQYKg35R9snOBleiKxY8WA2ivMjkF1hhq7vqUYg92Ih/s320/Bone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>If you are like me, not very savvy about graphic novels and finding it difficult to understand them, take heart! We are normal. Unlike comic strip, graphic novel is longer and reader needs to divide his time between reading the text and looking at the pictures. Both activities are essential for the understanding of the story and the effect is totally different from reading plain text. Experts advise new reader or reader with difficulty like me to start with black and white as the colours tends to further distract us from the story.<br /><br />It used to be comics were for kids' reading pleasure. Now, most comics are for teens and adults. It used to be comics were referring to comic strips (3 to 4 panels) found in our newspapers telling a joke. Comic books were longer versions of about max 20 pages such as Superman, Batman or even Lao Fu Zi (Chinese character) that I grew up with. Now, we see comic books in the form of collected comics such as Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes or Peanuts.<br /><br />Graphic novel is a type of comic book with a storyline similar to those of novels. Japanese print graphic novels have gained an identity of its own. They are known as Manga and are very popular not just in Japan. In our library, we have a large collection of graphic novels for teens and adults. In terms of graphic novels for pre-teens ( J - 8 to 12 years old ), publishers of children books are responding very quickly to the trend.<br /><br /><strong>Graphic Novels for Younger Reader (J)<br /></strong><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Existing titles :<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">Jeff Smith's Bone Series<br />Baby-sitters Club and Queen Bee by Graphix<br />Matthew and Jennifer Holm's Babymouse Series<br />Asterix Series by Goscinny<br />The Adventures of Tintin Series by Herge<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Coming titles :<br /></span>Avalon High and Warriors by TokyoPop<br />Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by Candlewick Press</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-85620145140689234272007-01-24T10:41:00.000+08:002007-01-24T11:06:57.160+08:00e-BooksFound out that many of my friends who are parents do not know anything about children e-books. My first exposure to e-books is Tumblebooks via NLB's eResources. I was not very impressed at that point in time as it requires much effort to register and login. By the time I was at the first book, I have decided to check it out another time which I never did. : (<br /><br />When I next encounter Tumblebooks, I was at NYPL children's site. I had a great time clicking on some of the books : ) !! Here's the link :-<br /><a href="http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp">http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp</a><br /><br />If you have come across any other great sites for children e-books, do let me know. Would like more people to enjoy them.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1156483087321527322006-08-25T13:02:00.000+08:002006-12-04T00:35:36.183+08:00All because of my missing hamster<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/A%20Dog"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/320/A%20Dog%27s%20Life.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Was given two hamsters recently. Within a week of their arrival, one of the hamsters went missing!! It was such an unexpected event that the whole family was all excited and worried. Worried that the little hammy will die of hunger, thirst or accidents. Accidents such as eaten by neighbours' dogs, stray cats or stepped on by any of us at night. Don't laugh, was told that someone actually killed her pet hamster accidentally because she slept on it!! Of course her pet was a free roaming, house-trained hamster.<br /><br />Well, why am I telling you all these? Yes, I was thinking of writing this whole incident from the perspective of my hamster (by the way, his name is Snuggle) when I realised it is pretty difficult to know how a hamster feels. I've not observed him long enough - is he happy to have escaped? Was he afraid when he was out in the open? Was he trying to find his way back to his cage when he was tired and hungry? I really do not know.<br /><br />Thus I went to the library and found this book - A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M Martin. This book is not just for animal lovers. This is a well-written story through the eyes of a dog. Squirrel, the dog went through many trials and hardships as she wandered from place to place, slowly growing from a pup into an old dog. Throughout her adventures she met a variety of humans - some caring while others irresponsible. This is a remarkable novel that will touch the hearts of all. In the end, it brings about hope that maybe, someday, all animals will live in peace, and none will be left "unwanted."<br /><br />This book is available in NLB (J MAR).novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1156320541471212132006-08-23T15:32:00.000+08:002006-08-23T16:09:01.506+08:00Picture Books to look out forNoah's Mittens<br />by Lise Lunge-Larsen<br />This is a playful pourquoi tale. How the leopard got its spots. Why do chameleons change colour. These are examples of such tales. Pourquoi [por-kwa] means "why" in French. Pourquoi tales are old legends told to explain why certain events happened. These tales often start in the past and end when the explanation is complete.<br /><br />A Very Full Morning<br />by Eva Montanari<br />A not so typical story about first day of school. First day is a frightening day for many. However, the kids will be reassured and sigh with relief when the story comes to an end.<br /><br />Probuditi!<br />by Chris Van Allsburg<br />If you are a fan of Chris Van Allsburg, you will not want to miss this. Once again, he had managed to marry his characteristic twist in the story and stunning illustration in this spell-binding tale.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">These are Houghton Mifflin Fall 2006 publications (to be published in US around Sep/Oct).</span>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1149067537289933842006-06-01T12:30:00.000+08:002006-06-01T12:27:19.190+08:00Chicken chickensI would like to recommend you the JP book "Big Chickens" by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Henry Cole.<br />Cole's bright and colourful chickens on the cover is simply charming. The chickens' facial expression is realistic yet hilariously funny. The artwork runs in tandem with the plot and captures the silliness of the characters.<br />As I turned the pages, you was intrigued by the power of fear. Yet with all the hilarious happenings, I soon realised that we can find courage from humour and humour can be more powerful than fear.<br />Helakoski used repetitions, questions and rhyming action words to tell of all the sly, silly humour. He had put them together so cleverly and fluently that I just wanted to read on after the first two pages.<br />It is definitely a good book for story time.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1149068281019144682006-05-31T17:24:00.000+08:002006-05-31T17:38:01.030+08:00SurrealReading Sonya Hartnett's Surrender was a real eye-opening experience. This book may not appeal to everyone coz it isn't an easy read, but at the heart of the story is an intriguing protagonist whose state of mind is under constant attack and the reader is never certain whether to believe him. I certainly had a hard time reading this novel but I'm glad I did coz it gave me the opportunity to see things in a different perspective, a complex and complicated state of mind, not entirely sound, but not unsound too. Hope you know what I mean. At every stage of the story you are never certain of the reality that is happening. Surrender by the way is the name of the dog of the protagonist, Gabriel. If you are looking for a challenging read, this is one title you should have a go at.vegpiranhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12142184664896166200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1149067024322454152006-05-31T17:05:00.000+08:002006-05-31T17:17:04.346+08:00Something DifferentI read this book called Zoo, by Graham Marks who happens to be married to another author called Nadia Marks, who by the way, as i meander along, wrote a chick-lit title Bitter Sweet. The interesting things about Zoo is that the author took the trouble to go to US to do his research even though he is British. Probably not a new concept but when i read the novel it didn't come as coming from a British author as there was a great deal of American in it.<br />The story starts with a kidnapping of a boy called Cam but as he soon discovers, the kidnapping was the real beginning of his life for he discovers horrific details of how he came about, about his life which has been a lie. Almost akin to Maximum Ride by James Patterson but different in many ways. I don't like giving the story away but it was gripping and it makes you think that about the saying that things are not what they seem. Many things are a facade and the true picture manifests when the person or thing or situation is under stress.vegpiranhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12142184664896166200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1144028016578459382006-04-03T09:08:00.000+08:002006-05-10T06:35:41.906+08:00Time well spentOne title that I am constantly raving about is Wolf Brother and the subsequent Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver. Set 6000 years ago, it has an immediate primitive feel about it and draws the reader in quickly. Torak, the chief protagonist of the stories, which by the way is in six parts, with only the first 2 books published so far, is both an admirable character and yet one that endears himself to us. I won't give a synopsis of the story so as to entice people to read it. But what I can say is that Paver has done a great deal of research to maintain the authenticity of the time frame, because that gives the story it's raw edge and a strong feel of how the ancients used to live. There is also an inextricable link between the spirit world and the real world so much so that that the two are sometimes inseparable. The various characters in the story are well-drawn out and by the second book, Spirit Walker, the characters grow through the challenges they face but at the same time more questions are posed which I believe the subsequent books will reveal.<br />Definitely a book worth your time.vegpiranhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12142184664896166200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1141896848081863012006-03-30T17:26:00.000+08:002006-03-30T19:18:54.620+08:00What Makes A Book A Children's Book?<ul><li>A central character (protaganist) who is the age of the intended audience.</li><li>Central issues of the story concern children in some ways.</li><li>A straight forward story line.</li><li>A linear and limited time sequence in a confined setting.</li><li>Language is concrete and vivid and not overly complex.</li></ul><p>Not too sure if the last 3 points really apply anymore. Children's book is getting more and more sophisticated. Even the age of the protagonist may not be a good gauge now.</p><p>However, the 5 points above do serve as a guide. : )</p>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1141811065340970252006-03-22T09:30:00.000+08:002006-03-22T09:30:34.193+08:00A Timeless Tale<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/EdwardTulane.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/320/EdwardTulane.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">"Why should I care what happens to an arrogant, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">over-dressed china rabbit? </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">But I did care, desperately, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">and I think I can safely predict you will, too." </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">----- Katherine Paterson </span></em></div><br /><br /><br />"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" is a book about Edward, a very well dressed china rabbit, with a complete wardrobe of handmade silk suits, pajamas, and clothes for every occasion.<br /><br />Edward belongs to a little girl who adores him completely. Unfortunately, he feels no emotions towards anyone. Then, in an unexpected event, Edward becomes lost and is found by a series of changing owners. With each new owner, his heart grows in love.<br /><br />In the end, the question is not can Edward love, but can he love again after the depth of his heartbreak as he loses each owner.<br /><br />A timeless tale , complete with stunning full-color plates by Bagram Ibatoulline, honors the enduring power of love. Don't pass this book by because it sits in the children's section...this book is for everyone.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1141719990665927352006-03-07T16:25:00.000+08:002006-03-07T17:09:31.306+08:00Outstanding Illustrators for Children Books<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/0375831916.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/320/0375831916.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" border="0" /></a> The 2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner is Traction Man Is Here by Mini Grey, published by Alfred A. Knopf.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"In picture books, words and pictures are a fantastic double act, each doing a different job, maybe even telling a different story — but you need both of them to have the whole story. And even the youngest people are expert readers of pictures. So in pictures you can say very complex things, things that it would take an enormous number of words to explain." ----- Mini Grey <em>(award acceptance speech)</em></span><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/gulliver.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/320/gulliver.2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The 2004 (awarded in 2005) Kate Greenway Medal winner is Jonathan Swift's “Gulliver” by Chris Riddell (Text by Martin Jenkins) published by Walker.<br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/GOODBYEWINDOW.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/320/GOODBYEWINDOW.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> The 2006 Caldecott Medal winner is The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster (Michael di Capua Books, an imprint of Hyperion Books for Children)<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/gulliver.1.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7989/1432/1600/gulliver.0.jpg"></a></p>novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1135128009871725112005-12-21T08:58:00.000+08:002006-01-28T00:18:20.363+08:00Controversial views on a picture bookHave recently discovered that views can really be diverse.<br /><br />You may have come across books written by Babette Cole. Cole's characteristic wacky humor is very prominent in both text and art. One of her trademark characterstic is poking fun on real life subjects; often a bit rude and off the wall.<br /><br />For "Mummy Never Told Me", publishers had reviewed it as humorous and deals with realistic issues --- which is not unexpected. However, if you have a chance to browse the book, you will either be 'mad' with the inaccurate review or 'rave' about this fantastic book.<br /><br />There are questions like 'Why do old men have hair on their ears but not their heads!' - humourous question for kids to think about ....... 'Why must I go to school when mummy was expelled from hers?' - appropriate question for adults to ponder ........'Why women prefer to fall in love with other women...and some men with other men?' taboo question that went too far?<br /><br />Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions. This short description cannot do justice to the book. This is a picture book! Go to the library shelves and check it out for yourself. Just make sure you do not buy this book as a gift for just anyone! Review it before deciding if you'd read it to your kids over a bedtime drink and a biscuit.<br /><br />You are most welcome to post your comments here too!!novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1130405945222367592005-11-08T16:25:00.000+08:002005-11-08T16:25:05.016+08:00A YP BookRead the book "The Devil's Footsteps" by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=E.E.%20Richardson&rank=-relevance,+availability,-daterank/002-7887488-5736841">E.E. Richardson</a> recently. The plot is simple but the conventional use of a sinister, oft-repeated rhyme and haunted house did bring shivers down the spine. Personally, I think the theme is very suitable for young adults (and adults), especially reluctant reader who likes scary movie.<br /><br />Even though I am not much into supernatural and horror stories, I was captivated after the first few pages. I actually want to continue reading - to discover all the dark, mysterious places and mythical history of the town described.<br /><br />As the story unfolds, the question of fear, evil and death was articulated by the 15 years old protagonist, Bryan. Together with two other boys, they risk their lives to find and destroy the mysterious power that haunt their community.<br /><br />This is a good read for someone who is too busy for thick novels. This book is less than 200 pages, well laid out and definitely a page turner.novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1130298282175333262005-10-26T10:53:00.000+08:002005-10-26T11:57:50.190+08:00Author or editorHave you ever been surprised by something that is totally different from what you believe it to be? I've always thought that the author of a book has the ultimate say over the text, images and layout. Little did I know that the real decision maker is the editor!<br /><br />An idea for a book not necessarily come from authors' book proposal. Very often, editors and sales reprentatives are the ones who brought the ideas to the table. Once the editorial board agrees on a book proposal, editor in charge will decide on the most suitable author to assign to.<br /><br />Besides making suggestions for revisions on the manuscript, it is the editor's choice of images to accompany the text; author has nothing to do with the selection (unless she raises strong objection to any of the images selected). However, the author is the one to put a caption for each of the image selected : ).<br /><br />Another interesting thing about the editorial process is the number of people involved. Besides the author and editor, there are the 'expert' (to verify the accuracy of the concept presented), the photo researcher, the copyeditor (to check basic grammer, punctuation, consistency, logic, sense and typesetting features), the keyboarder, the designer, proofreader, indexer and last but not least the production manager.<br /><br />Have I told you that each of the role above does overlap? Besides the proofreader, the copyeditor, keyboarder, and editor proofread whenever the manuscript lands on their hands. People involved in and enjoyed the editorial process are normally 'perfectionists' - meticulous and detailed. Changes can still take place even when the manuscript is on the way to the printing press (as long as not printed) !!novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1127953551157526262005-09-29T08:17:00.000+08:002006-02-09T09:19:46.716+08:00Freedom to read ?Have you heard about 'Banned Books Week'? Well, the name may be misleading...... the intention is to raise awareness that Americans should not take for granted the freedom to read.<br /><br />Historically, many attempt of challenges have been made by people on books and on authors. Things that conflict with or disagree with anyone's belief. The attempt to remove or restrict access to 'objectionable' children/teen materials are often very prominent. Somehow, individuals and groups seems to be setting a much higher standard for children/teen materials.<br /><br />In the American libraries, librarians are to challenge censorship. Librarians are guardians to the freedom to read. Library Bill of Rights empowered the librarians to be responsible. What is the delicate balance between freedom to read and ensuring our children/teen are not reading 'bad' materials?<br /><br />Personally, I'd experienced the frustration of censorship which is the result of an individual or a group's point of view - such as pornographic versus artistic; blasphemy versus perception....thus, freedom to read is not a bad thing. On the other hand, from the perspective of a parent or teacher, we know the influence reading materials can have upon the young minds. How then can we practise the freedom to read?<br /><br />One thing I discovered is the assumption on library materials. Many assume that all materials from the library should be 'safe' for children/teen. We can only start embracing freedom to read when parents or teachers are aware that libraries' responsibility is not to protect readers from 'bad' materials. Their main and professional responsibility is to provide information and enlightenment ; that includes challenging censorship.<br /><br />It is the responsibility of individual to decide what they want or do not want to read! For children/teen who are not ready to make such decisions, parents can decide on their behalf. However, when a parent disapproves of any book, he/she should only attempt to stop his/her child from reading it; not attempt to restrict or even remove access.<br /><br />Just like a book can have very different effects on individuals; the take on freedom to read can also spark many different responses. Are you so comfortable without the freedom to read that you wanted censorship? Or are you a frustrated librarian that wonders why you must remove or restrict access to yet another book?novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1126070043765309262005-09-07T12:24:00.000+08:002005-09-07T13:28:05.833+08:00Reading And PlayAttended the Astrid Lindgren celebration at WRL yesterday and was reminded of the relationship between 'reading and play'. Astrid Lindgren, an advocate for a child's right to play. Astrid's believe has been very distinctively portrayed in the character of Pippi Longstocking.<br /><br />The first speaker Ms Åsa Tolgraven has shown us the unique curriculum of the Swedish pre-schools where the right to play, adventure and fantasy are the key words. The second speaker Ms Lwin Moe Moe has emphasized that reading should be fun. Strategies to support early literacy are through activities and drama, allowing children to experience, explore and play.<br /><br />I remembered learning from 'sound' books when I was a young mother. I was fortunate enough to be able to find as well as to pay for these invaluable resources - press the button and we can sing along and enjoy the words and illustrations at the same time. We also tried singing the rhyme without the help of the recorded tune! taking turns to sing the lines or alternate singing the songs. Both my child and myself had really good time : )<br /><br />I did some simple fingerplays with my child when she was a baby. When she got older, I decided to expand my 'repertoire'. I bought a 'tape and book' set and started my learning journey. Instead of enjoying the fingerplay with my child, I spent most of my time learning and practising! Learning from tape and books was really frustrating for me : ( <br />After much agony, decided to stick to my existing repertoire and enjoy my child instead : )<br /><br />Wondering if the library collection should include the 'sound' books for young working mothers. How are the new generation of young mothers coping? Are they spending enough time to read and play with their kids? Do the new generation mothers know anything about fingerplays?novelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15464250.post-1125574604312465332005-09-05T15:15:00.000+08:002005-09-05T15:11:11.250+08:00Teen TitlesShould teen titles be classified as a children's books rather than adult books? This has always been an issue for discussion. Does a teenager consider himself an adult? There's no definite answer but booksellers have found that teen readers who are 13 to 14 years of age are quite happy to browse through the teen shelves in the Children Section. Teenagers who are 15 or older will be most embarrassed to be 'caught' in the Children Section!<br /><br />What is considered a good read for teenagers? It is often difficult to "pigeonhole" what makes a good read cos' teenagers have very broad tastes. From the 'little survey' I did with my nephews and nieces and my friends' nephews and nieces who are teenagers, their interest ranges from Dan Brown to Gossip Girls, fantasy to realistic fiction, fiction to non-fiction and horrifying discoveries that some typical Singapore teenagers read only 'exam worthy' books !!<br /><br />Teen titles are often classified based on the age of the protagonist and the subject matter. Very often, the protaganist must be one that a teen can relate to i.e. a teenager. The subject matter must be seen as relevant to a teenager. Issues and angst common to teens. Fantasy fictions that cater to their imaginative minds. Teens are maturing so fast nowadays that the simple assumption described above are often irrelevant. Thus, many writers of teen books are putting in contents that crossover to the adult world.<br /><br />Recently, some teen books are beginning to appeal to adult readers. These "crossover" books are currently rare and few in the market. Some crossover titles are Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now (Puffin), Jennifer Donnelly's A Gathering Light (Bloomsbury) and Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night (Doubleday).<br /><br />According to Becky Stradwick, children buyer for Borders UK, on possible crossover titles that are on the way, "Books such as Elsewhere, Tamar and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas all deal with complex adult themes and deserves to reach a wider audience." (Stradwick, Becky. "Action for the autumn." The Bookseller August 2005: 28.)<br /><br />Elsewhere (Hardcover)by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&rank=relevancerank&field-author-exact=Gabrielle%20Zevin/002-8059407-0093625">Gabrielle Zevin</a><br />Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September, 2005)<br />ISBN: 0374320918<br /><br />Tamar by <a href="http://www.globalbooksinprint.com/merge_shared/Search/AdvSearch.asp?navPage=1&SortOrder=&SortField=&collection=GLBCOLL&QueryMode=Simple&ScoreThreshold=0&ResultCount=25&SearchLink=Yes&ebip=&srchFrm=TITLEDTL&QueryText=icu=+1211522+&boolean_search=1&">Mal Peet</a><br />Publisher: <a href="http://www.globalbooksinprint.com/merge_shared/Search/AdvSearch.asp?navPage=1&SortOrder=&SortField=&collection=GLBCOLL&QueryMode=Simple&ScoreThreshold=0&ResultCount=25&SearchLink=Yes&ebip=&srchFrm=TITLEDTL&QueryText=ipu=306994&boolean_search=1&altdesc=Publisher%3A+Walker+Books%2C+Limited&">Walker Books, Limited</a> (October 2005)<br />ISBN: 0-7445-6570-7<br /><br />Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas by <a href="http://www.globalbooksinprint.com/merge_shared/Search/AdvSearch.asp?navPage=1&SortOrder=&SortField=&collection=GLBCOLL&QueryMode=Simple&ScoreThreshold=0&ResultCount=25&SearchLink=Yes&ebip=&srchFrm=TITLEDTL&QueryText=icu=+6899025+&boolean_search=1&">John Boyne</a><br />Publisher: <a href="http://www.globalbooksinprint.com/merge_shared/Search/AdvSearch.asp?navPage=1&SortOrder=&SortField=&collection=GLBCOLL&QueryMode=Simple&ScoreThreshold=0&ResultCount=25&SearchLink=Yes&ebip=&srchFrm=TITLEDTL&QueryText=ipu=148126&boolean_search=1&altdesc=Publisher%3A+Random+House+Children%27s+Books&">Random House Children's Books</a> (February 2006)<br />ISBN: 0-385-60940-Xnovelethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11929541801828308181noreply@blogger.com1