WHAT'S NEW
Balderdash! is a Junior Library Guild Selection
"This winning picture book takes on a subject that one wouldn’t think, at first glance, would be of interest to modern-day audiences—a look at the life of an 18th-century publisher and shopkeeper. But said publisher is none other than John Newbery, who embraced the teachings of John Locke and is credited with introducing the notion that children’s books should be engaging and entertaining instead of strictly instructional and religious. We are all greatly in his debt. Markel’s delightfully exuberant treatment follows Newbery’s lead and presents the facts of his life in a wholly original and absorbing way, mixing evocative and richly detailed cartoon artwork, a playful use of typography, and visual and textual homages to his books and legacy. Carpenter relies on sepia ink, and the pages are digitally made to look old and weathered. Readers learn that Newbery was a savvy businessman, selling patented medicine, magazines, and toys in addition to his carefully selected books and was not at all assured that his ventures would succeed. “Will the parents buy them? Are they too...cheerful? The children gobbled them up like plum cakes.” The back matter is fully sourced and extensive and includes biographical detail as well as descriptions of the books mentioned. VERDICT This title is a fun read-aloud with multiple curricular connections. A stellar introduction to “the father of children’s ¬literature,” and a glorious example of dynamic bookmaking."
STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
“An effervescent tribute to publisher John Newbery."
STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
"A child-pleaser."
STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
BALDERDASH was selected as a CCBC Children's Choice, and as one of Bank Street's Best Children's Books of The Year, both for 2018. It was also honored with a California Reading Assn. Eureka Silver award for excellence in nonfiction, and was named to the Texas Library Assn. Topaz Nonfiction list.
The book was featured on the cover of the August 2017 issue of The California Reader, which includes Common Core lessons and recommended activities. I love the idea of using the book to give historical perspective to a Mock Newbery unit and/or to celebrate children's literature. Many thanks to the teachers and librarians who are spreading the word.
You can download a comprehensive teacher's guide prepared by Chronicle Books.
Other news:
Brave Girl was named "One of the best books for raising activist kids" in The Washington Post (March '17). It was featured in Picture Books as a Springboard to Teaching About Labor Unions in the National Council for the Social Studies magazine Social Studies and the Young Learner (Sept./Oct. '15) and the book was named a 2015-2016 Teacher Recommended Book by the California Teachers Association (featured in Educator (Aug.'15).
Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead was named to the 2017 Amelia Bloomer List. The project curates a list of notable feminist literature from people from birth to age 18. Some Girls was also chosen as one of the best children's books of 2016 by The Washington Post.
Tablet Magazine called Brave Girl one of the best children's books for teaching kids about labor in this September 2015 post.
The ALSC named Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 (Dreamscape Media) a 2015 Notable Children's Video.
The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau will be published in Chinese, Japanese and Hebrew. At the Eerdlings blog you can read how Amanda Hall and yours truly created the book.
Events
Presenter
Los Angeles Public Library STAR Recognition Brunch
February 22, 2018
Presenter
Warner Avenue Elementary
Nov. 27, 2017
Presenter
CRA 50th Professional Development Institute
October 20-21, 2017
Presenter
SCBWI National Conference, Los Angeles
July 7, 2017
Panelist
School Library Journal Day of Dialog, NYU
May 31, 2017
Presenter
SCBWI Central California Picture Book Intensive
March 11, 2017
Panelist
SCIBA Spring Literacy Day
Pomona CA
February 25, 2017
Presenter/panelist
CSLA Conference
February 4, 2017
Panelist
Tots, Tweens and Teens Book Festival
Pasadena High School
May 14, 2016
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 10, 2016
Presenter
Humboldt County Authors Fair
October 15 - 17, 2015
Presenter - Keynote
SCBWI Writers Day
Los Angeles, CA
March 7, 2015
Presenter
NCTE Conference
November 20-23, 2014
Washington DC
Writer in Residence
Crossroads Elementary School
Santa Monica, California
February 25 - 26, 2014
Panelist
UCLA Extension Writers Faire
August 25, 2013
11-3 pm
Panel: Writing for the Youth Market
Presenter
Sparkling Nonfiction Picture Books (Breakout Session)
SCBWI National Summer Conference
August 2, 2013
Presenter
Writing Nonfiction That Rocks (Workshop)
SCBWI British Isles
Theodore Bullfrog Pub, London
April 13, 2013
12 - 4 pm
Instructor
Writing Workshop for Kids, Ages 9 - 12
American Library in Paris
April 6, 2013
12 pm - 1:30 pm
Co-presenter
"Writing for Zombies and More"
826LA Echo Park
December 1, 2012
Los Angeles Public Library STAR Recognition Brunch
February 22, 2018
Presenter
Warner Avenue Elementary
Nov. 27, 2017
Presenter
CRA 50th Professional Development Institute
October 20-21, 2017
Presenter
SCBWI National Conference, Los Angeles
July 7, 2017
Panelist
School Library Journal Day of Dialog, NYU
May 31, 2017
Presenter
SCBWI Central California Picture Book Intensive
March 11, 2017
Panelist
SCIBA Spring Literacy Day
Pomona CA
February 25, 2017
Presenter/panelist
CSLA Conference
February 4, 2017
Panelist
Tots, Tweens and Teens Book Festival
Pasadena High School
May 14, 2016
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 10, 2016
Presenter
Humboldt County Authors Fair
October 15 - 17, 2015
Presenter - Keynote
SCBWI Writers Day
Los Angeles, CA
March 7, 2015
Presenter
NCTE Conference
November 20-23, 2014
Washington DC
Writer in Residence
Crossroads Elementary School
Santa Monica, California
February 25 - 26, 2014
Panelist
UCLA Extension Writers Faire
August 25, 2013
11-3 pm
Panel: Writing for the Youth Market
Presenter
Sparkling Nonfiction Picture Books (Breakout Session)
SCBWI National Summer Conference
August 2, 2013
Presenter
Writing Nonfiction That Rocks (Workshop)
SCBWI British Isles
Theodore Bullfrog Pub, London
April 13, 2013
12 - 4 pm
Instructor
Writing Workshop for Kids, Ages 9 - 12
American Library in Paris
April 6, 2013
12 pm - 1:30 pm
Co-presenter
"Writing for Zombies and More"
826LA Echo Park
December 1, 2012