Blogs
Interview with Dana Goldberg on PaperTigers.org
Our Executive Editor, Dana Goldberg, was recently interviewed by PaperTigers.org, the popular online resource for books for young readers, to discuss how The Storyteller's Candle came to be. As we mentioned in a previous post, The Storyteller's Candle was selected for the Spirit of PaperTigers project, which will be donating a set of books to schools and libraries around the world. In the interview, Dana discusses how the idea for the book came about, what it was like to work with the "dream team" of Lucía González and Lulu Delacre, and her thoughts on where multicultural children's publishing is today. You can read the entire interview here.
MY PAPA DIEGO AND ME included in the 2010 CCBC Choices
My Papa Diego and Me was included in another "best-of" list! This time, it's the 2010 CCBC Choices list, which is the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The complete list is available here.
The Spirit of PaperTigers Project: Donating books to areas in need across the globe
Cheers for The Storyteller's Candle and the Spirit of PaperTigers Project!
PaperTigers.org, the popular online resource for books for young readers, just announced the launch of their Spirit of PaperTigers Project today. The initiative aims to "promote literacy while raising awareness of our common humanity," and will donate 100 books "to libraries and schools in areas of need across the globe." We're extremely honored and proud that The Storyteller's Candle was included in the 2010 book set. As you'll see, we are in excellent company.
You can find out more about the Spirit of PaperTigers on their website, or read more about their selection process.
For those looking to release some creative energy, see Mira.
Children's Book Press' very own Mira Reisberg (Baby Rattlesnake, Uncle Nacho’s Hat, Where Fireflies Dance, Just Like Me, and Honoring Our Ancestors), will be teaching 2 classes in Sacramento.
Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children’s Picture Books
Saturdays from March 5th, 2010 to April 24th, 2010 (an 8 week course)
1pm-4pm
University Art, 2610 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821
Many of Mira’s former students have gone on to rewarding careers in the field (including some who have published with us – Felicia Hoshino, Sara Kahn). Mira has taught this course at UC Berkeley and S.F. City College Extensions as well as at Northern Illinois University where she was recently an art education professor. Since this class is outside of a college setting, it's considerably cheaper than it would be in an institution.
Needle-Felted Totem Animals Class
February 13, 2010 1pm-4pm
University Art, 2610 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821
Mira will be teaching a hip, new and practical art & crafts technique using soft eco-friendly wool and a special needle. Participants will learn to felt beautiful sculpted wool animals representing power animals that embody qualities you have or need to possess (e.g. courage, serenity, etc.) to keep, sell, or give as gifts. Animals can be real animals such as lions, dogs, zebras, etc. or imaginary animals like dragons or griffins. This class is ideal for teachers, artists, crafters, or parents wanting to do something special with their kids (10 and over).
Knowing Mira, these classes will be fun, informative, and helpful.
To register or for more information, contact Mira Reisberg at 916-483-4242, miraguy@gmail.com, www.mirareisberg.com, or www.MiraArt.etsy.com.
Sun Gallery presents 21st annual exhibit of artwork for children
The Sun Gallery is Hayward, CA's longest standing nonprofit arts organization, and on January 13th, it is proud to present its 21st annual Children's Book Illustrators Exhibit. As in years past, some of the work in the exhibit was created by Children's Book Press illustrators including Maya Christina Gonzalez and Carl Angel.
The 2010 exhibit, called A Celebration of Excellence in Art and Literature, opens on January 13 and continues through April 3, 2010. A reception and book signing will take place at the gallery on Saturday, February 20, 2010. More information, including hours and location, can be found on the Sun Gallery website.
LET ME HELP! A Sneak Peek of Spring 2010
This Spring, we are pleased to publish a new book by the amazing award-winning author, Alma Flor Ada. Let Me Help! / ¡Quiero ayudar! is a charming story of Perico, a pet parrot who desperately wants to help his family prepare for the Cinco de Mayo fiesta, but is constantly being shooed away. In the end, Perico finds his own special way to lend a hand (or wing).
Let Me Help! is our first book with the legendary Alma Flor Ada. Not only has she authored over 200 children's books, but she is also a leader in the field of multicultural and bilingual education.
Let Me Help! is brilliantly illustrated by Angela Domínguez, a rising star in the children's book world. Check out some of Angela's artwork from the book:
Partner Profile: Making Books Sing
In an earlier blog post, we wrote about the upcoming musical production based on Chachaji's Cup that is premiering this month. Now we'd like to highlight the organization that made it possible.
Making Books Sing is an independent nonprofit theater organization based in New York City. Their goal is to empower children to experience the performing arts and literature as vehicles for their imaginations, artistic expression, and learning. Children’s Book Press has partnered with Making Books Sing twice before, on musical adaptations of The Upside Down Boy (in 2004) and A Shelter in Our Car (in 2007). Following is an excerpt from an interview with Barbara Zinn Krieger, Making Books Sing's Artistic Director.
Tea with Chachaji: The musical production premiers this month
It's not everyday that we get to see one of our books turned into a full-blown musical, but later this month, one of our most beloved books will come to life on stage.
Making Books Sing is proud to present "Tea with Chachaji," based on the award-winning Children's Book Press book, Chachaji's Cup by Uma Krishnaswami. Great-uncle Chachaji sips chai as he shares Hindu myths with 10-year-old Neel and his Indian-born mother. But, the greatest story of all is found in Chachaji's teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his mother from Pakistan to India after the Partition of 1947. As they walked many miles, she swore to her son, "If this fragile cup can make it without breaking, so can we." This beautifully staged Off-Broadway production, featuring award-winning talent and live music played on authentic Indian instruments, is coming to a theatre near you! For children ages 8 and up. (Click here for performance schedule and ticket info.)
Celebrating 35 Years in 2010
In 2010, Children’s Book Press embarks upon our 35th year as a nonprofit publisher. It’s a momentous milestone and one that we will be celebrating throughout the year. We’ll be updating our website and blog with anniversary-related news in the months to come, so check back soon for event announcements; features on our books; author, illustrator, and partner profiles; and other highlights from the past to the present.
Recap: Feria Internacional del Libro
Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Children’s Book Press was able to attend this year’s Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL) in Guadalajara, which took place in late November. The FIL is the second largest international book fair in the world, spanning 9 days and attracting both book industry professionals and the general public. When the fair started there were over 600,000 ticketed attendees, and the total attendance was expected to reach well over 1 million.
We were amazed at the level of energy at the fair, which showcased a vibrant Spanish-language publishing scene and an enthusiastic reading public. It seemed like the entire city of Guadalajara anticipated the arrival of the fair, and crowds lined up outside to get in each day.
Every year the fair designates a “Guest of Honor” and highlights books, authors, and publishers from that region. This year, the Guest of Honor was the city of Los Angeles. Children’s Book Press was included in the Los Angeles delegation along with other California-based nonprofit publishers: Heyday Books, Getty Publications, University of California Press, Tía Chucha Press, Red Hen, and the nonprofit distributor, Small Press Distribution. The NEA also sponsored many LA-based authors, poet, and filmmakers. The Los Angeles Pavilion included a display of low-rider cars and tricked-out bicycles, short films commissioned by Los Angeles filmmakers, as well as a bookstore pavilion where attendees could browse and purchase books brought to the fair by the publishers in attendance.
The FIL offered many more readings, panels, performances, and other activities than we can describe here, so we thought we’d share a little slice of our experience of it in the following photos and video. ¡Que los disfruten!
Dana Goldberg, Executive Editor at Children's Book Press, gives a short introduction to the Feria Internacional del Libro in Guadalajara.
From Tia Chucha: author Luis Rodriguez with wife, Trini.
John and Bobby Byrd from Cinco Puntos Press; Janet del Mundo and Dana Goldberg from Children's Book Press.
Janet and Dana in front of an imitation of a Diego Rivera mural in Tlaquepaque.
