WHAT'S NEW

Come to the Book Launch Party at Small World Books!
Friday, September 14, 2012
6 - 8 pm

1407 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 399-2360

The Fantastic Jungles
of Henri Rousseau

Illustrated by Amanda Hall
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
September 2012


Starred review, Publisher's Weekly
A Junior Library Guild selection

"Markel's simple, poetic text
("tropical plants fruit and flower into garlands,
rockets, and rosettes of color")
is matched with Hall's vivid, venturesome illustrations.
The bright watercolor-and-acrylic paintings have
an impressive vitality and wonderfully channel
Rousseau's fantastic motifs and his characteristic
use of flattened shapes and perspectives.
This lovely, child-friendly biography
evokes and celebrates this fabulous naif. "

— Kirkus Reviews

“The career of artist Henri Rousseau gets a wonderfully child-friendly treatment in a book that captures both his personality and the essence of his pictures. … Markel’s text has a sweetness and simplicity that allows children to understand the story’s underpinnings, giving them someone to root for.”

_ Booklist

"This is not only a visually exciting introduction to a well-known artist, but also an uplifting model of passion and perseverance."

_ School Library Journal (Starred)



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Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Balzer & Bray
January 2013

Starred reviews: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus and Publishers Weekly

A Junior Library Guild selection

“The zingy images masterfully (and appropriately) incorporate fabric and stitches as well as old images of checks and time cards … This book has fighting spirit in spades-you go, Clara!”

— Booklist (starred review)

“In her simple but powerful text Markel shows how multiple arrests, serious physical attacks, and endless misogyny failed to deter this remarkable woman as she set off on her lifelong path as a union activist.”

— The Horn Book


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Classes

UCLA Extension's Writers' Program

Writing for Children: A Beginning Workshop
Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm,
July 12 - August 16, 2012

Writing the Picture Book
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm
October 16 - November 20, 2012

Writing for Children: A Beginning Workshop
Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm,
July 17 - August 21, 2013

Events

UCLA Extension Writers Faire
August 26, 2012
11-3 pm
Panel: Writing for the Youth Market

December 1, 2012
Co-presenter of Workshop,
"Writing for Zombies and More"
826LA Echo Park

April 6, 2013
12 pm - 1:30 pm
Writing Workshop for Kids, Ages 9 - 12
American Library in Paris

April 13, 2013
12 - 4 pm
Writing Nonfiction That Rocks (Workshop)
SCBWI British Isles
Theodore Bullfrog Pub, London