Read Across America 2012

Like several school across America, our school celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday with Read Across America Day.  It is important to note, that my daughter's school isn't like most schools when it comes to reading.  I would put the library program up against any school's library program, public or private, in the country.

I got BIG PLANS

Since moving to Cambridge, I have been very fortunete to meet so many authors and illustraters.  Some from my childhood (Eric Carle) and some from my kids (Mo Willems) and several somewhere in the middle.  Since the girls started school, I have also gotten to read to the different classes at the school. So it was super cool to hear Bob Shea read last week at the Cambridge Public Library last week because his book Big Plans (illustated by the great Lane Smith) is one of my favorite books to read outloud to kids.  It just screams to be read to a group of kids.

He wasn't there for Big Plans though. He was there for his Dinosaur vs. books (which are cute and entertaining if you have not read them before).  One interesting thing about the Dinosaur vs. books that he said was that after he visited the Cambridge Public Library the last time, he changed up one the next Dinosaur book.  Originally in Dinosaur vs. the Library, he had the librarian say "SHHH".  After he left, he realized that "SHHH" was really old fashioned and the modern librarian says, "use your library voices."  So after he left, he ran home and called to change up the text.   

Even though he was there for the Dinosaur books, I asked him to sign our copy of Big Plans (it is one of my favorites after all).  He said, just to justify my belief, that Big Plans was his favorite book that he had written. 

A New Picutre Book Blog

Here it goes.  I am going to attempt to do a blog.  In reality, I should have started this blog a year ago, but it did not happen.  The idea/plan with the blog is to write about kids books.  Not a single blog out there covers this subject, right?  Too many in reality.  Some are really good ones (like Fuse#8 and Seven things before breakfast) and some are really bad ones.  I hope to be closer to the first group then the second group.

So how will this blog be different?  I am glad you asked.  I do not plan to do any reviews (unless I fall in love with a book, then I might have to mention how good it is).  I plan to stay very positive (I love what the Steads said on their blog earlier this year).  I really want to write about two things. 

1) Live events-  This really could be just about anything and everything.  It might be a gallery exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum (which we will see much of) or it might be an author visit to the local book store or library.  I am sure that it will involve some dreaming as well (here is looking at you Comic Con).  If I am totally honest, it will be some back posting (is that actually a real term or did I just make it up) as well.  I have been lucky and done some really cool stuff and seen some really cool stuff, so I might have to post some of it.

2)  Stuff or things-  I love random things.  So I will be posting LOTS of that type of stuff here.  In fact, I will probably post more of that then anything else.

Lastly, you probably should know a little about me.  I love books and I love art, so picture books are the perfect blend for me.  I am a nerd and I have a very patient wife and two amazing kids names N and Z.  Feel free to ask me anything!

Honestly, I have no idea how this will turn out.  I hope that it will be fun, so I hope you stick around.