A Mouthful of Words and Pancakes

On Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras/National Pancake Day, my son's school hosted a Read Across America Celebration/Family Literacy Night. Whew!

With all those words, it was hard to slip a bite of pancake in edgewise. Of course, the school celebrated with a pancake-themed book.

We were treated to a reading of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's If You Give a Pig a Pancake by actor Gary Cole. Groups of students also read pancake-themed poetry by Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky.
As for our esteemed reader, talk about class. This was no read-and-run event for Mr. Cole. He stayed the entire evening to eat dinner, sign autographs, and mingle. Bravo!

I applaud the teachers, parents, students, and school staff for planning and organizing such a wonderful event. I only wish this could happen more than once a year!

The Kidlitosphere's Poetry Friday: Macaronic Verse

According to H.L. Yelland's A Handbook of Literary Terms, macaronic verse is "humorous verse in which there is a mixture of languages, especially English and Latin."

Here is my submission for the "Monday Poetry Stretch" challenge at The Miss Rumphius Effect blog:

I have a lingua for lengua.
I got a schwa for bar mitzvah.
But not even I
Can use mein old eye
For decoding Joyce's Wörte.

Please click through the link to read other submissions.

Corpus Libris: Are You Book Enough?

Are you such a bibliophile that you don't know your toe from your tome? Your vertebral spine from your leather-bound spine? Your appendix from your appendix? Then the art of Corpus Libris is for you!

Formalized by Emily Pullen of Skylight Books in Los Angeles, the art of Corpus Libris consists of photographing a book and subject such that the two appear blended. Please hop over to the Corpus Libris blog for some cool examples.

When I learned about the Corpus Libris phenomenon, I dug around in my digital archives to retrieve the above photo of my son with a monstrous spread from Deb Lund and Robert Neubecker's Monsters on Machines.

Link in! I'd love to see your kidlit Corpus Libris pics!

Librarypalooza! Los Angeles Public Library: Los Feliz Branch

A view of the moon from a wintry clearing? Try again. How's about the domed ceiling of the "Storytime Room" at the Los Feliz Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library? (If someone has a better picture depicting the bare branches that encircle this space, please link away. My camera hasn't the lenses to capture the full effect.)

This room is all about roundness. With a window like this, why not pull out a submarine picture book and imagine away!

The size of this library's menagerie almost matches that of the L.A. Zoo, which is just a short trip away across Griffith Park. Spend a morning at the Zoo and come here to read more about your favorite animals in the afternoon.

You don't have to trek through the L.A. Zoo's Botanical Gardens to enjoy Mother Nature. Relax outside the Los Feliz Branch Library in the company of some architecturally-pleasing plants. I'm a sucker for succulents!

This may be a small library, but it's bustling with activity. Take the kids here for LACMA-run art classes, Mother Daughter Book Club, Boys' Book Club, Baby Mother Goose Storytime, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime, Teen Anime Club, or Teen Book Club.
Adults can choose from the Book Club, Book Gossip, Chess Club, Scrabble Club, Quilting Circle, Architecture & Beyond, and the Family Art Class.
You get the idea. This is a vibrant book-loving community. What are you waiting for? Come on by and see what's happening.

Librarypalooza! Los Angeles Public Library: Arroyo Seco Regional Branch

Situated in the Highland Park neighborhood of northeast Los Angeles, the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library is a beautiful Arts & Crafts destination for book lovers. Additional photos of the library can be seen here.

Remember the amazing library mural we featured on the blog recently? This is where it lives.
The above photo features the Children's Room. It almost looks too tidy, doesn't it? Send some kids, quick!


Here's the "storytime room," complete with a classic Arts & Crafts rocker and a cute child prop.


This is a totally staged photo. I directed the cute child prop to color-coordinate his outfit to Goodnight, Moon. Well, not really... but it worked out nicely, huh?


Conveniently, a park lies adjacent to the library. When you need to slide even further into your imagination, here's the place to do it.
Currently, the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library features fortune telling classes for adults and LACMA-run art classes for kids.
I suppose these programs really go hand-in-hand for those parents who want to divine if their child will be the next Rene Magritte. Hmmm... maybe that's not such a bad idea.

I Love KidLit!



In honor of the Kidlitosphere's "We Love KidLit!" Blog Carnival of Children's Literature this month (which challenged a multi-media entry), Sudo Nimm created the above image. Need we say more? Check out the rest of the Carnival starting February 27th by clicking here.

Random Picture Book Thought, or THE GROUCHY LADYBUG and Whisperings of Space-Time Theory

My son and I were reading Eric Carle's The Grouchy Ladybug recently, when a random question struck me. As a reader, I wondered what the difference was between experiencing a scene as multiple, double-page spreads, or as a gatefold.

Let me set the stage. In The Grouchy Ladybug, the eponymous insect meets various animals throughout the day and tries to pick a fight with each one of them. At "five o'clock," he meets a whale. The massive mammal doesn't respond to the insect's provocation, so the ladybug "flies on."

The grouchy ladybug then attempts to pick a fight with the whale's flipper and fin, but to no avail. By "a quarter to six," he reaches the whale's tail, and you either know what happens next, or you need to read it yourself to find out.

In any case, what fascinated me was the 45-minute flight the reader shares with the grouchy ladybug across the whale's body. Executed as a pair of gatefolds, this scene would have ably expressed one of the concepts explored in the book-- size; yet, executed as 4 double-page spreads, the scene expresses size and another important concept explored in the book-- time.

The use of 4 double-page spreads in The Grouchy Ladybug helps the reader to not only "take in" the size of the whale, but to also experience a sense of the 45 minutes it took the ladybug to fly the length of the whale. The page turns create a momentum of forward motion. And where there is motion, there is time to measure it.

Because the multiple, double-page spreads prevent the reader from being able to see the whale "all at once," there is also the effect of creating a sense of time having passed. The reader would have to go back to an earlier time, by turning the pages, to be at the "beginning" of the whale physically and temporally.

Finally, the use of multiple spreads makes the whale's size seem even larger, because the imagination has to piece the spreads together to form a complete mental picture. As a result, the whale's size can only be limited by the imagination of the individual reader.

The Grouchy Ladybug's use of multiple page spreads, instead of gatefolds, demonstrates the power of picture book design as an important, if somewhat "hidden," element of a picture book's text. And any addition to a picture book creator's arsenal makes even the grouchiest ladybugs smile.

Librarypalooza! Burbank Public Library: Buena Vista Branch

In honor of Presidents' Day, Sudo Nimm and I are spotlighting the Buena Vista Branch of the Burbank Public Library. "Why?" you ask. That's easy. Check out the above photo.

The library is adjacent to Lincoln Park. Completed in 2002, the site features the bust of a "Thinkin' Lincoln" and grassy, tree-covered areas perfect for a picnic with picture books.
The enclosed play area is designed primarily for the toddler set and includes heaps of communal toys at the time of this posting.

When you're ready to visit the library to read picture books about Abraham Lincoln and other past Presidents, be sure to check out this public art sculpture of a boy reading a stained glass book.

Hop on in across the stones like this little guy, and you'll be on your way to a sylvan reading experience. Once you're done reading about Presidents, you'll want to snuggle in with books about forests and their creatures.

This tree should help set the mood. Look up to find all sorts of critters hiding among the leaves. I hope you're not afraid of snakes.

Hey, librarians! Wouldn't you love having these art tiles adorn your reference desk?

Here's an amazing reading room. Complete with clouded high ceilings and ample windows for natural lighting, you won't want to leave come closing time. Is that a real skunk in the picture? You're going to have to visit the library and find out.
With palm trees outside and pine trees inside, there's no mistaking you're in sunny Southern California. Nestle into the "mountainous" seat backs in this reading room and feel free to travel anywhere else your imagination fancies.
Are there any other forest-themed children's libraries out there? Comment and let us know. Thanks!

Los Angeles Public Library Mural

In 1995, muralist Luis Becerra created Libraries Educate, Government Makes Cutbacks on two exterior walls of the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Above is a detail of the mural depicting poet Maya Angelou.

In 2003, a new library was erected, and the mural was moved (i.e., two exterior walls) to its new location at the west end of the current library's parking lot. Click here to see images of the mural in its original location.

If you live in Los Angeles, or plan on visiting someday, put this mural on your list of must-sees. Besides, the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library is an architecturally-pleasing destination in and of itself. Click here to see photos of this Craftsman style library.

A library card wields much power,


especially in a world that favors controlled thought over free thought.




I'd love for the above image to be on my library card!


The next generation takes it in.
Click here for more information about the mural.
Are there any library murals in your community? Comment and let us know. Thanks!

Why I Love My Hubby

It even came with roses on the screen!

In all honesty, I've been coveting this monitor for months. When I recently discovered its clearance sale status, my hubby had to look no further than Office Depot to make his wifey uber happy.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

P.S. Check out the love that's overflowing in the Kidlitosphere today. The Cybils have been announced. Click here.

There Are Cats in This Post

Allergic to cats? Love cats, but can't keep them in your apartment? Want to prepare your child for the fun of owning cats? Then, here's the book for you: There Are Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwarz (Candlewick Press).

A novelty book that delivers (sadly, many don't), There Are Cats in This Book keeps readers busy following the playful requests of Tiny, Moonpie, and Andre. My son nearly threw the ball of yarn off the page! "What? How's that possible?" you ask. That's why you've got to pick up this book.

The ending also sets this up as a purr-fect bedtime companion. "P.S. There are fish in this book, too." And I must say that they are gorgeous.

If you're part of a KnitLit group (it's a kniterary literary thing), then you can knit the cats from this book by clicking here. Want to see what else the talented Ms. Schwarz is up to? Click here.

We Share a Certain Chemistry

I went to a writing doctor months ago, and what did he prescribe?

"Candace, what you need is some good, old-fashioned
Sulfur, ChRomium, Iodine, and BEryllium."

I followed his advice, and now I take them with me wherever I go. I can describe anything now. Thanks, Doc!

What's on your writing bag?

Librarypalooza! Glendale Public Library: Montrose-Crescenta Branch

The Montrose-Crescenta Branch of the Glendale Public Library is a cozy little spot located on the west end of the Montrose Shopping Park.

Adjacent to a fire station, the library ties in nicely as a follow-up destination from a firehouse tour. Maybe even search for some fireman-specific picture books?

The above photo features the Children's Department Reading Room.

This friendly giraffe sees if library patrons "measure up." The little guy passed inspection, thankfully.

Three baskets of eager puppets await flights of fancy. "Any hand will do."

This little guy is a letter herder. His job is to help collect all the letters that have fallen out of picture books. He makes about $932.00 a day. I'm clearly in the wrong business.

This treasure map may be the single most important reason to visit the Montrose-Crescenta Branch Library. Normally guarded fiercely by the puppets, this letter herder ably captured it from their secret cranny.
Only the true of art can follow its precipitous paths to untold treasures.
The letter herder receives special sonar transmissions from a pod of Beluga whales, who may have an inkling of where the treasure is.
Stay tuned... or, better yet, visit your local library today to find treasures of your own!

Librarypalooza! Huntington Beach Public Library



Do you love water and books? Then the Huntington Beach Public Library is for you. Located at 7111 Talbert Avenue in Huntington Beach, California, there's so much water in this library that you'll want to bring a bathing suit along with your library card.

In the photo above, you're looking at an actual salt water aquarium, not an amazing trompe l'oeil vinyl decal. Plus, there's a cool, bubbly water column that flanks the sides and top of the entryway to the Children's Department.


Here's a lovely fountain in front of the library. His more informal brother wraps around the library's backside.

Not enough water for you, yet? There's a super cool indoor fountain inside the library. No pictures here. You're going to have to see it yourself.

Of course, what would water be without something to navigate? Kids can access this ship through an opening on the opposite side pictured.

Sharks have been known to frequent these carpeted waters, so reader-sailors are kindly reminded not to climb on the boat.

For Stuart Little's relatives, they can play on this impressive model ship and fight off monster books across the seven seas.

Any Cooper Edens fans out there like myself? Here's one panel from a tapestry inspired by the book If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow. It hangs on a wall in the Children's Department, just waiting to fill you with whimsy.

Perched on top of a glass case are the two sentries of the Children's Department-- a Lego Statue of Liberty and a meerkat family (because Groundhog Day was just around the corner, these might also be groundhog stand-ins. But don't tell the meerkats I said that).

I included this photo because of the "skeleton leaves" glass panels. Aren't they too cool? I'm guessing they're Pella. I know because we had some windows with these inserts installed almost exactly one year ago. I get to see them everyday!

Am I talking about my windows again? I'm too in love with them. Anyway, check out the Huntington Beach Public Library, especially around the time of the annual Authors Festival. You'll be glad you did.

Hippo Birdie Two Ewes, James Joyce!

You may have left us in your wake, but not before you made all of us Finnegans Wake up.

Thanks to you, Finnegans can have fun again, because language is not languid. And when you saw lengwhich, like Molly, you said yes, yes, Yes!