From: Ginny Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 11:58:38 -0500

We've been all over the place with the theme of Radical Change during April, and maybe that's because RC as a theme can transport us in many directions. William Teale asked two questions about RC on 4/10 including "what about RC is new (historically considered) and what is just radical, no matter what the era?" Eliza responded at length
(4/14) to one of WT's questions; she then asked us to comment on RC books of note in the past - if they differ in characteristics from books of the 1990s, how do they differ? I'm not sure any of us took advantage of that opportunity, although several really wonderful books were mentioned: The News about Dinosaurs by Patricia Lauber, Hooray for Me by Vera B. Williams, Susan Kuklin's books in general, Shortcut by David Macaulay, & two poetry books by Paul Fleischman
(more later about PF) to add to the substantial list provided earlier this month by Megan Schliesman from the conference discussion list. Katy Horning shared a remarkable anecdote about a public library conversation and also her observations as to whether or not children today are more or less visual than in earlier years (4/15). Susan Stan commented and referred us to Neil Postman's book The Disappearance of Childhood (4/15). Holly Schoenecker's message on 4/16 never came through to me, so Holly, please try again. We heard directly from Susan Kuklin - what an opportunity, and we thank you for your responses to our general questions, Susan! Somehow, when we know we're in the "virtual" company of an author or illustrator whose books we've been discussing, we tend to become very very quiet. Hey, everyone, there's no such thing as a dumb question! Take advantage of our guests when they surface on CCBC-NET! What do you want to say to Susan Kuklin or ask? I have not named everyone who wrote, obviously, but I'm attempting to give a sense of where we've been during April. I realize that after I was introduced to the categories of Radical Change books (Dresang and McClelland), I began to notice new books with these characteristics - lots of them. I have to say that I wonder along with William Teale exactly what is different, i.e. a root or basic change now, beyond numbers and beyond what today's technology makes possible. I don't think there is a final answer or response, but this is an ever fascinating topic, and we'll be returning to it without realizing this often, I'm certain. We'll be talking about Paul Fleischman's books in May. For many reasons, his books are a natural extension of the theme of Radical Change. Any last comments for now on William Teale's question, Eliza's comments, and/or Katy's reflections about RC? Any questions or comments for Susan Kuklin? Speak up! Sincerely, Ginny
********************************* Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison 4290 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St. Madison, WI 53706 USA
Received on Wed 30 Apr 1997 11:58:38 AM CDT