Politics & Prose

I was unfortunately unable to make it to Sarah Dessen's talk at this bookstore but they host a new author every weekday and two authors on the weekends. I definitely recommend checking this bookstore out even if you're not there for an author event.

I will make my way down there, someday.

Politics & Prose <-- Follow the hyperlink

Annotation Wednesday

A bit of author news. Sarah Dessen will be at the Politics and Prose Bookstore on Friday, October 9th to promote her new book, Along for the Ride. Hopefully I will be able to make it

It has hereby been declared annotation Wednesday so I give you my review of an ABC book.

MacDonald, Suse. Alphabatics. New York: Bradbury Press, 1986. Print.

• MacDonald’s unique way of retelling and relating the alphabet to young readers involves depicting each letter of the alphabet graphically transform into an object, or animal beginning with that letter. Repetition of this pattern guides readers through each letter of the alphabet from Ark to Zebra. MacDonald’s minimal layout makes good use of the page’s white space, placing an uppercase and lowercase letter, depicted in straight lines and bold colors, near the top of the page. The letter’s primary color is mirrored on the following page, identifying the name of the animal or object the letter has become. Secondly, MacDonald depicts the letter in a secondary, contrasting color which is also mirrored on the next page to illustrate the new animal or object, which is depicted with curved lines. This provides a connection between the letter and the objects and helps readers better comprehend MacDonald’s illustrations. Each small box that contains a letter represents a single frame of the transformation, indicating motion and action, as well as moving the directing the reader’s attention to follow the animated letter as it flies and bends. MacDonald’s co-dependent text and illustrations drive the reader to recognize and apply the connection between the illustrations and the text.
  

• MacDonald’s transition from straight lined letters to curved lined animals relates to the mood of the book, transitioning from formal and stiff to fun and playful. Her illustration style uses realism and graphics to realistically depict animals and objects. The mood is likewise upbeat and fun, giving readers a new way to learn the alphabet. MacDonald’s book is very educational for young readers learning the alphabet as she encourages them to use their critical thinking skills as opposed to manipulating simple object identification to teach the alphabet.

Get well soon!

Rosalyn Schanzer was scheduled to appear at the Hyattsville Library (down the street from me) to discuss her new book, What Darwin Saw, this book also comes out around the time of the 200th anniversary of the voyage of the Beagle. Rosalyn was a guest lecturer for my Advanced Children's Seminar class last semester. Not only was she a pleasure to talk to but she also informed us about the long, arduous process of getting a book like this published (apparently books about Darwinism and evolution are hot topics) and the research and design that goes into creating a children's book. Alas, because of an injury to her back she wasn't able to make it to this lecture. They're setting to reschedule her sometime for October or November.

On another related note, The National Book Festival is coming up this weekend on the National Mall. Practically every important children's author will be present (except R. L. Stine and Neil Gaiman who were present last year). I highly encourage everyone to go and witness the awesome gathering of good literature! Among the guest list are:

• Kate DiCamillo, Shannon Hale, Craig Hatkoff, Nikki Grimes, Steven Kellogg, Lois Lowry, Megan McDonald, Charles Santore (illustrator of the festival poster), Jon Scieszka and David Shannon, and Mo Willems;
• Teens & Children authors Judy Blume, Pat Carman, Sharon Creech, Paula Deen, Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, Shannon Hale, Liz Kessler, Jeff Kinney, James Patterson, Jerry Pinkney, Rick Riordan, Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson, James L. Swanson and Jacqueline Woodson

It will be especially neat to meet Mo Willems, whom I am doing an author study on. Hopefully I can afford one of his books and get it signed for a friend for Christmas, and possibly snag a picture.