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The Tale of Despereaux
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From: Connie Rockman <connie.rock>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 11:41:12 -0500
Desperaux was also missing from the Blue Ribbon list of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, but did appear on Booklist's Editors' Choice list . . . And I like to think it's a good thing that we have so many different viewpoints and so many different opinions to provide accolades to a wide variety of books.
Just because a certain title is left out of a final list does not mean that it was overlooked, or not discussed in great detail. Lists are created by individuals, and groups of individuals, and each list is a culmination of individual choices and group compromises. I've been delving into "Best" lists searching for citations for authors and illustrators for the book I'm currently finishing: the Ninth Book of Junior Authors and Illustrators, to be published by H. W. Wilson later this year, and am gratified by the fact that so many different minds work on these lists and so many different titles are cited on various lists.
Consider Deborah Stevenson's comments printed with the Bulletin's Blue Ribbon list. She says, in part: " . . . a group of contentious and opinionated professionals read the books, endlessly discuss the books, winnow down the list, and occasionally eat cake - yet each time it has its own individual characteristics and result." Each one of the groups who come together to develop a list or award a prize is unique and special. One way to experience the process is to listen to the open discussions of the ALA Notable Children's Books committee at the ALA midwinter conference. I did hear them discussing Desperaux and there was, indeed, a variety of opinions - some felt the darkness in the book was too dark (what would today's committees make of Captain Hook or Fagin if they encountered them in a new book?. . . ) and some felt the
"Dear Reader" convention was too forced; others, especially those who had shared the book with children, found it irresistible.
I myself did not find the book irresistible on first reading - I remember thinking the plot was forced and the Miggle character seemed to come out of nowhere - maybe I had indigestion that day, who knows? - but after hearing reports from the children I shared it with, and listening to some of the discussions I've heard, I'm changing my first opinion . . . and that's why discussion and sharing are so important in creating award lists and prizes.
Hurray for all those who work so long and hard to deliver the best children's books to us, whether they write, illustrate, edit, design, market, teach, or work the floor in a library . . . Only Time is the final "judge" of a particular book, after all.
Connie Rockman
On Sunday, January 18, 2004, at 11:39 PM, fairrosa wrote:
Received on Mon 19 Jan 2004 10:41:12 AM CST
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 11:41:12 -0500
Desperaux was also missing from the Blue Ribbon list of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, but did appear on Booklist's Editors' Choice list . . . And I like to think it's a good thing that we have so many different viewpoints and so many different opinions to provide accolades to a wide variety of books.
Just because a certain title is left out of a final list does not mean that it was overlooked, or not discussed in great detail. Lists are created by individuals, and groups of individuals, and each list is a culmination of individual choices and group compromises. I've been delving into "Best" lists searching for citations for authors and illustrators for the book I'm currently finishing: the Ninth Book of Junior Authors and Illustrators, to be published by H. W. Wilson later this year, and am gratified by the fact that so many different minds work on these lists and so many different titles are cited on various lists.
Consider Deborah Stevenson's comments printed with the Bulletin's Blue Ribbon list. She says, in part: " . . . a group of contentious and opinionated professionals read the books, endlessly discuss the books, winnow down the list, and occasionally eat cake - yet each time it has its own individual characteristics and result." Each one of the groups who come together to develop a list or award a prize is unique and special. One way to experience the process is to listen to the open discussions of the ALA Notable Children's Books committee at the ALA midwinter conference. I did hear them discussing Desperaux and there was, indeed, a variety of opinions - some felt the darkness in the book was too dark (what would today's committees make of Captain Hook or Fagin if they encountered them in a new book?. . . ) and some felt the
"Dear Reader" convention was too forced; others, especially those who had shared the book with children, found it irresistible.
I myself did not find the book irresistible on first reading - I remember thinking the plot was forced and the Miggle character seemed to come out of nowhere - maybe I had indigestion that day, who knows? - but after hearing reports from the children I shared it with, and listening to some of the discussions I've heard, I'm changing my first opinion . . . and that's why discussion and sharing are so important in creating award lists and prizes.
Hurray for all those who work so long and hard to deliver the best children's books to us, whether they write, illustrate, edit, design, market, teach, or work the floor in a library . . . Only Time is the final "judge" of a particular book, after all.
Connie Rockman
On Sunday, January 18, 2004, at 11:39 PM, fairrosa wrote:
Received on Mon 19 Jan 2004 10:41:12 AM CST
