From: Zbaracki, Matthew <matthew.zbaracki>
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 16:08:18 -0700

I'd like to add a few thoughts as well. I think most of Kevin Henke's books really show the importance of family. I tuned in to his Charlotte Zolotow lecture and in that talk he discussed the importance of family as well. Also, in his picture books his use of mice are quite effective as well. I think those books present a strong picture of families and the support they lend.

I also agree with "View From Saturday" being a strong book. Being a tall individual as well, I think "Stand Tall" has its strengths, but don't think the family is very functional; both mother and father have some serious issues to resolve, though grandfather is a good role model.

I think Jerry Spinelli's "Loser" shows a strong family as well, working with a
"challenging" child.

Also, in response to Perry's question about Children's Literature conferences, The Ohio State University has one every year, that is quite strong. This year's is the end of January. It runs Jan. 31?b. 1. It's a little shorter this year, but still will attract some big authors, Tomie dePaola, and Gary Paulson will be there.

I've recently joined this community and must say I've really enjoyed the discussions.

Thanks!

Matthew Zbaracki University of Northern Colorado


 Message----From: Perry Shapiro [mailto:jodyshapiro at bigpond.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 2:10 PM To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: [CCBC-Net] different families



One title by Jen McVeity originally publishing here in Australia as Dream Catcher and in the US as "On Different Shores" (Orchard- why do they do the title change thing anyway???publishers???) resonated with me because it portrayed a story of half-sisters living in two households, the relationship between the girls who share a father, and their mothers who have the potential to be friends. It won the "family" award here in Australia. Hard to find books where a step-parent is portrayed as supportive.

Many children shuttle between two parental households. That was also addressed in Joan Bauer's latest "Stand Tall". In fact most of Bauer's books depict fairly unconventional (but functional) family situations.

The third book is also a "must read" and I suspect you will all be nodding agreement on this is E.L. Konigsburg's "View from Saturday". I used that title in a family book club and it was a universal hit.

The illustrator Frane Lessac (ex-pat. living in Freemantle, Western Australia) depicts a multi-hued world in her art and has illustrated a great new book on Washington, DC coming out this Spring...someone over there in the states who is lurking can fill in the details. I only saw some of the artwork when I was out in Perth.

One question: Is there a listing anywhere of annual or regularly scheduled Children's LIterature Conferences held throughout the United States? I know there are some "big ones" only don't know when, where, and how frequently. The big one here is held bi-annually in Melbourne called "Reading Matters" David Almond from UK and Deb Ellis from Canada will be among the speakers. For more information on that contact www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/acyl/ It will be on May 15 2003 and has the theme "Place - Space- Race What Books are for, what books are about." I am planning to return to Melbourne just to attend as I went two years ago and was blown away by the scope, variety and content. Cheers..Jody Fickes Shapiro (who will be back in California in 6 weeks to resume "real life" again...)


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Received on Wed 13 Nov 2002 05:08:18 PM CST