From: Lisa Von Drasek <lisav>
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 12:05:29 -0500

Thank you for the profile of the ALA Award press conference. Which I think of as the Newbery/Caldecott awards.

A few words to add. The atmosphere in the hall a half hour before the announcements is one of excitement and anticipation. Practically excruciating. In the previous days there was a lot of buzz for many titles but no unanimity of opinions. I had my cell phone ready to speed dial the Bank Street Bookstore. If bookstores don't get their orders in quickly it is possible that they won't receive the award winning titles for months.

I second "Many of the award announcements were greeted with applause and cheers, and none with groans." There was a lot of whooping and yeas from my corner of the room. ( yes, I was very vocal) A genuine enthusiasm for the titles.

The only real surprise title for me was Casey at the Bat : A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 by Ernest Lawrence Thayer,illustrated by Christopher Bing . Handprint books This was a book came late in the year around October and for me it was love at first sight. If you haven't seen it, Christopher Bing has illustrated the poem by producing a scrapbook of fake memorabilia of the time, newspaper reports, engravings, ticket stubs etc. Incredibly rich in detail, I purchased numerous copies for Christmas giving this year. I did spend a lot of time telling people about it but there wasn't any buzz that I could tell. My cheer was from surprise and delight.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many people who love children's books and gather together to celebrate them.

Lisa


Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education 610 West 112th St NY NY 10025

lisav at bnkst.edu
Received on Fri 19 Jan 2001 11:05:29 AM CST