I'm passionate about children's books. When I was young I was in love with picture books. As I grew older I moved to chapter books. And now that I'm an adult I love them both. I still pick up the occasional chapter book but it is really picture books that bring me back to the children's section. The blending of words and illustration is just magical to me. So many of my favorite books were picture books. Arnold Lobel, Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, Robert McClusky, P.D. Eastman...etc were the guides of my childhood and the passion of my adult life. And I'm constantly on the lookout for more stories.
So when one of my favorite blogs (Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast), pointed out a children's book podcast, I had to check it out. And I'm so glad I did. Andrea Ross and Mark Blevis have created the podcast "Just One More Book". The two, who are married, sit down before work at their favorite coffee house and review the books they and their children love. They interview authors, illustrators, and agents. And they are one of the strongest voices in the kid's lit world. The podcast comes out regularly and is available free through iTunes or through their website, among other spots. They give a summary of the story, discuss their reactions to the book, and talk about why it works. They do not review books they don't like.
The passion these two have for children's books is contagious. I have been listening to the backlog of podcasts from the website at work. And I've been really excited about checking out the stories they have mentioned plus many others. I find that there are a ton of books out there that I simply don't know about. Sites like Just One More Book or Seven Impossible Things... remind me of all the new and unique books and artists that are out there. Then I hit the library and gather as many as I can. The ones I love I'll eventually purchase. I like having my own little library to lend from.
So I have two requests for you my dear readers. First, if you enjoy children's books listen to an episode or two of Just One More Book and see what you think. It's free and lots of fun. My second request is because of an old curiosity I have. Whenever I am trying to get to know someone I always ask two questions. The first is name two places you have always wanted to travel to. And the second is name your favorite children's book. So I extend that invitation, the same way Mark Blevis does at the end of every podcast. Tell me what your favorite kids books is. And in a post next week, I'll list mine.
3 comments:
There are so many favorites. I will just list a few. Linken, Blinken, and Nod, Goodnight Moon, and The Man Who Didn't Wash His Dishes.
Thanks for this post, I am going to go check out that podcast. It sounds awesome.
1. I've always wanted to go to Japan. Something about Japan fascinates me. There's a mystique ingrained into Japanese culture that holds a particular allure to me. And the modern Japanese can be so incredibly surreal. Japanese television is like a fever dream sometimes.
I'd also wanted to go to England, and fulfilled that dream about ten years ago. Had a glorious time over there.
2. When I was a boy, my favorite books were the Freddy The Pig books by Walter R. Brooks. Absolutely loved them. Wonderful stories, ridiculous characters, and a depth of imagination that absolutely swept me away. I could not get enough of them.
Sewspun,
I've never read The Man Who Didn't Wash His Dishes. I'll have to run out to the library today and pick it up. I love new recommendations. Thank you. The other two are wonderful. Pure classics. I hope you enjoy the podcast. I might give you some ideas for new books that your girls will like.
Susskins,
I actually took 4 years of Japanese in high school and have always been fascinated with the place. I still haven't been but maybe someday. My parents just came back from London and I'm so incredibly jealous. Egypt and England are my two places.
I have never read any of the Freddy the Pig stories. But the pictures I have seen are wonderful. Another good reason to hit the library.
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