From: Brenda_Bowen at prenhall.com <Brenda_Bowen>
Date: 08 May 1998 14:27:41 -0400

Can funny books win awards?
     
     I raise the question above in response both to the discussion that has
     been taking place about humor in children's books, and to
     "reidra at ci.eau-claire"'s list of the "Best of the Best," posted on
     5/1. Only two of those books could be considered funny -- ONE OF EACH
     and RUMPELSTILTSKIN'S DAUGHTER. And both of those books are for the
     picture book audience.
     
     I suspect that there is a feeling among publishers, authors, and
     reviewers that books that are funny aren't necessarily "best" --
     especially funny books for readers older than easy-reader age.
     (Perhaps this discussion needs to take place toward the end of the
     month when we talk about YA books, but I'm interested in middle-grade
     humor books, too.)
     
     Do others agree that funny books are often overlooked when it comes to
     awards and honors? What can we do to encourage the idea that writing
     humor has as much validity -- and is as difficult to do well -- as
     writing serious books?
     
     Brenda Bowen, Publisher
     Simon & Schuster Children's Books
Received on Fri 08 May 1998 01:27:41 PM CDT