Neil Gaiman reported it and Monica Edinger followed up on it. It seems that images from the upcoming Coraline graphic novel are available for viewing. This is an interesting move on Gaiman's part. Recent children's novels for the middle grade set have been adapted into graphic novel formats with reasonable success. Until now, however, most of these have been series. The Baby-Sitters Club. The Warriors. Now we've a stand alone fantasy novel in a GN format. Will this confuse those readers assigned the book in school? If other stand alone books follow suit will they all be fantasies? Or will we see things like graphic novel adaptations of things like Penny From Heaven and Rules? Frankly, the thought of GN Newbery books excites me quite a lot. One would never replace the other, but I love the idea of tackling serious children's books with new formats.
*cough* Of course, only REALLY smart and forward-thinking publishers would attempt this *cough*
Well, that was the original intention, anyway. I was going to find a series of interesting links involving authors and their daily lives. For example, here is the charming Cecil Castellucci talking about her life as it relates to her new YA novel Beige. I love, Ms. Castellucci. She stopped by my library one day in search of Mo Willems (this is true) and I had the opportunity to chat with her. I want to be her friend.
Remember, I don't review YA, so I'll never be able to give my opinion on her newest, but for a book that I DID review, check out her new graphic novel The Plain Janes, which is completely child appropriate and deserves a glance.
Moving on, proof positive that Neil Gaiman is charm incarnate.
Two facts come to mind. The fact that he evinces no fear of the large furry rodent flying about his head proves that he IS Neil Gaiman. The fact that he has a bat in his house establishes that, yes, he does indeed live in the Midwest.
Well, so that was my intention with today's Video Sunday. And then I saw that Galleycat had posted the YouTube preview of the French adaptation of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. The French speakers amongst you will appreciate this.
After that, everything broke down completely. Animation seemed a good way to go. Eric Berlin had linked to a nice and wholly illegal version of Calvin & Hobbes (which tied in nicely to the Chicken Spaghetti discussion on old C&H earlier this week. I was going to put it here. Heck, I copied the URL and everything. But look what happens when you click on it now.
Looks like old I-won't-sue Watterson actually brought action against whoever created this. Color me disappointed. Only a book trailer for a picture book could cheer me up now.
That's the stuff. Sent by illustrator Brian Floca himself no less.
And, for those of you who may have been a bit disappointed by the latest Spiderman film, take comfort. Here's a look at a bit of Spiderman ala Japan that is so oddly charming, I know I would have adored this film as a kid.
Because what is more children's literature related than comic books? This came from the Sandbox with love. I love how the woman could only memorize one line for the show.
It's not Video Sunday, but this marks a convergence of two of my favorite things. Neil Gaiman and Brotherhood 2.0. Everyone has their favorite Brotherhood video. Mine was the one where they sang Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone From Your Pants, but this one may upset the balance. Check it out.
Not only do we get to hear Neil Gaiman talk about sex (gurgle). Not only is there a shout-out to Coe Booth. But there is a SONG! I love the songs! And the "fat guy in a candy store line" will now undoubtedly be the last thing I randomly think about before I expire on my deathbed at the crusty old age of 102.
As April 1st fell on a Sunday, and as I spent my particular Sunday rolling in popcorn kernels whilst reading trashy magazines and watching There's Something About Mary for the very first time (true story) I didn't see any of the fun April Fool's Internet postings out there. I did not read the eleven fake postings on Strollerderby (I think the baby iPod one might actually be true). I did not read about the nutty wireless Google service that works via your commode. And most regrettably of all I did not see the near sainthood of sometimes children's author Neil Gaiman. Ah well. There's always next year.
From the creator of the remarkable Shockheaded Peter theatrical experience comes an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's picture book The Wolves in the Walls. And now, after getting stellar reviews left and right in Europe, I am pleased as punch to announce that it is opening on our fair shores in Autumn of 2007 at The New Victory Theater. Wanna go?
Hey, look! It's Matt Phelan! The illustrator of The Higher Power of Lucky. Super nice guy, that Matt.
And look! He has a blog. A nice little blog on which to place various sketches and thoughts.
And hey! He's just posted some pictures of Neil Gaiman's Endless characters from his Sandman graphic novel series. In honor of my appearance at Comic Con today, I thought this tied in rather nicely. Well done all around (and good job, Matt, at getting a letter to appear on Neil's blog).
I'm a sucker for the rerelease of out-of-print books. You should have seen me the other day when I discovered that Amy Schwartz's Bea and Mr. Jones was recently reprinted. I deafened two small children for life via my vocal chords alone. If you haven't used this book in a readaloud, now's the time.
Anyway, I like to keep an ear out for additional republications, whatever they may be. As a regular reader of Neil Gaiman's blog, I was intrigued by a recent post in which he recounted his childhood love of the author Noel Langley who wrote The Land of Green Ginger (as well as the script for The Wizard of Oz). Well a British publisher took Neil's post so much to heart that he sought out other Langley books, read them cover to cover, and republished one called Desbarollda the Dancing Mouse. It was originally illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, which they did not change (thank heavens) and you can even view some of the pages on Amazon.
Gosh, I'd love that kinda sway. But I already have my Out-of-Print Crimes Against Humanity list on the sidebar here. Not much more I can do, aside from mentioning in every other post how cool Adelaide Holl's Minnikin, Midgie, & Moppet was. Now there's a book worth taking a second gander at. *hint hint hint*
Neil Gaiman has established Neil and His Magnificent Oracular Journal on his website. Merely think of the question you need answered, click upon his face, and watch as the be-turbaned avatar ensconced in a crystal ball tries plucks your answer from amongst the umpteen bazillion posts Neil has written at one time or another.
There's nice interview with Neil Gaiman and David McKean on MPR at the moment. When I lived in Minneapolis it was very hard for my husband to explain to people that while he loved NPR he didn't much care for MPR. In this case, however, they've done quite well. Brava!
Harry Horse, a British children's author and cartoonist, recently died with his wife in a suicide pact.
Seven years ago, he won the prestigious Smarties Book Prize in the six-to-eight category with The Last Gold Diggers, his tale of a grandfather and a dog named Roo. Another of his books, Little Rabbit Lost, won the Scottish Arts Council's Children's Book of the Year award in 2003, while one of his most popular works, The Last Polar Bears, was turned into a 30-minute animated film.
My Chapter Book Pick: A 1934 Newbery Honor. Never heard of it? Well that's a shame. A retelling of the Icarus myth that would go over like gangbusters with today's Lightning Thief loving crowd. Seriously worth reading (if you can find a copy).
