From Whitman to Hugo: An interview with Brian Selznick

Book 2 0 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Ue
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Walt Whitman ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Arabian Nights ◽  
Martin Scorsese ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Live Oak ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Todd Haynes ◽  
The Voice

‘Walt Whitman loved words’. So begins Barbara Kerley’s and Brian Selznick’s Walt Whitman: Words for America (2004), a biography of the American poet for young readers that has been recognized as a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. Kerley and Selznick trace the poet from his beginnings as a printer’s apprentice to his volunteer work as a nurse during the American Civil War; and from the young Walt poring over the pages of Arabian Nights and Ivanhoe to his own creative output being interpreted as the voice of his nation. Like all of Selznick’s books, Walt Whitman is illustrated with precise, evocative drawings for all ages. The New York Times bestselling author and illustrator returns to the poet with his latest, Live Oak, with Moss (2019). Among Selznick’s many other popular books for children are The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) and Wonderstruck (2011) (covers available at https://www.thebrianselznick.com/books.htm). These two works have now been adapted into award-winning films by Martin Scorsese (2011) and Todd Haynes (2017), respectively.

scholarly journals “It’s All about Working with the Story!”: On Movement Direction in Musicals. An Interview with Lucy Hind

Arts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
George Rodosthenous
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
South African ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Movement Direction ◽  
The North ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Theatre Company ◽  
Epic Theatre ◽  
The Uk

Lucy Hind is a South African choreographer and movement director who lives in the UK. Her training was in choreography, mime and physical theatre at Rhodes University, South Africa. After her studies, Hind performed with the celebrated First Physical Theatre Company. In the UK, she has worked as movement director and performer in theatres including the Almeida, Barbican, Bath Theatre Royal, Leeds Playhouse Lowry, Sheffield Crucible, The Old Vic and The Royal Exchange. Lucy is also an associate artist of the award-winning Slung Low theatre company, which specializes in making epic theatre in non-theatre spaces. Here, Lucy talks to George Rodosthenous about her movement direction on the award-winning musical Girl from the North Country (The Old Vic/West End/Toronto and recently seen on Broadway), which was described by New York Times critic Ben Brantley as “superb”. The conversation delves into Lucy’s working methods: the ways she works with actors, the importance of collaborative work and her approach to characterization. Hind believes that her work affects the overall “tone, the atmosphere and the shape of the show”.

India in the 21st Century

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Kamdar
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Colonial Legacy ◽  
Wealth Concentration ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Religious Plurality ◽  
Growing Economy

India is fast overtaking China to become the most populous country on Earth. By mid-century, its 1.7 billion people will live in what is projected to become the world’s second-largest economy after China. While a democracy and an open society compared to China, assertive Hindu nationalism is posing new challenges to India’s democratic freedoms and institutions at a time when illiberal democracies and autocratic leaders are on the rise worldwide. How India’s destiny plays out in the coming decades will matter deeply to a world where the West’s influence in shaping the 21st century will decline as that of these two Asian giants and other emerging economies in Africa and Latin America rise. In India in the 21st Century, Mira Kamdar, a former member of the New York Times Editorial Board and an award-winning author, offers readers an introduction to India today in all its complexity. In a concise question-and-answer format, Kamdar addresses India’s history, including its ancient civilization and kingdoms; its religious plurality; its colonial legacy and independence movement; the political and social structures in place today; its rapidly growing economy and financial system; India’s place in the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century; the challenge to India posed by climate change and dwindling global resources; wealth concentration and stark social inequalities; the rise of big data and robotics; the role of social media and more. She explores India’s contradictions and complications, while celebrating the merging of India’s multicultural landscape and deep artistic and intellectual heritage with the Information Age and the expansion of mass media. With clarity and balance, Kamdar brings her in-depth knowledge of India and eloquent writing style to bear in this focused and incisive addition to Oxford’s highly successful What Everyone Needs to Know® series.

scholarly journals Books for People Who Don’t Read

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Desmarais
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Children's Books ◽  
Children’S Books ◽  
Adult Readers ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Opposite Trend ◽  
Access To Books

Dear Readers,When I spotted Alexandra Alter’s article “James Patterson Has a Big Plan for Small Books” in The New York Times on March 21, 2016, I immediately thought the story was about a new innovation that Patterson had introduced for small format children’s books. Instead, the article describes Patterson’s new line of short novels aptly named BookShots that will include thrillers, mysteries, romances, science fiction, and (eventually) nonfiction. While most people recognize Patterson’s name for his prodigious output of thrillers, he is also known for publishing nearly 50 children’s books, which have sold more than 36 million copies worldwide. He has also written popular mysteries, romances, and young adult novels, but he now has plans to write for adult readers who don’t normally make time for reading. Indeed, the BookShots home page advises prospective customers that “Life moves fast—books should too”.While I have no objection to Patterson’s new line of short, cheaply produced books that may eventually be stocked next to magazines and candies in grocery stores, I do hope that publishers of children's books will embrace an opposite trend by publishing longer books for young readers who do have time to read. Let’s not assume that all children are abandoning reading for movies, television, video games, and social networking.The strengths of Patterson’s new books are their lively, incisive writing, and of course, engaging plots that pack a great deal into few words. Brevity will certainly lend Patterson’s new books a narrative crispness that will appeal to readers who may already enjoy reading digital content on their mobile devices. There is nothing wrong with having an appetite for short fiction, but young readers will surely benefit from having access to books that encourage deeper, slow reading.Our summer issue is filled with recommended books that can be read deeply and re-read, so let’s encourage young readers to take time to more fully comprehend and appreciate words, ideas, and stories.Happy reading!Robert Desmarais Managing Editor

scholarly journals News and Announcements

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Native American ◽  
Children's Literature ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Golf Club ◽  
Illustrated Books ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Book Award

Happy fall and early winter everyone! It seems most of the book festivals and meetings have passed for the year but there are certainly award announcements worth noting. TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards Town Is by the Sea, written by Joanne Schwartz and illustrated by Sydney Smith, won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($50,000) When the Moon Comes, written by Paul Harbridge and illustrated by Matt James, won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000) #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, won the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction ($10,000) The Assassin’s Curse by Kevin Sands won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($5,000) The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook won the John Spray Mystery Award ($5,000) The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000) Young readers were asked to pick their favourite book from the shortlisted TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards titles in an online poll. This year, Barbara Reid took home the $5,000 award for Picture the Sky. 2018 Governor General’s Literary Award Winners Announced Young people’s literature — text (English): Sweep by Jonathan Auxier Young people’s literature — illustrated books (English): They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki Young people’s literature — text (French): Le chemin de la montagne by Marianne Dubuc See full list of Governor General Literary Award winners here: https://ggbooks.ca/#finalists Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable (VCLR) is hosting an event to celebrate Award-Winning BC Children’s Authors and Illustrators 2019January 30, 2019, 7 – 9 pm UBC Golf Club - see the website for more details I will leave you with a nice summary of the best illustrated children’s books of 2018 selected by The New York Times.

scholarly journals Little Blue and Little Yellow by L. Lionni

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
Older Children ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Children's Picture Books ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
The University

Lionni, Leo. Little Blue and Little Yellow. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. Award-winning author, artist, and graphic illustrator, Leo Lionni, had a distinguished, decades-spanning career and wrote over 40 children’s books in an easily recognizable style. Little Blue and Little Yellow was his first children’s book, and it won the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year award in 1959. Lionni was also a four-time Caldecott Honor Book winner, an award that celebrates excellence in children’s picture books. This review pertains to the 2011 board book edition, just right for the littlest hands. The story is simple perfection. Little Blue and Little Yellow, are best friends who live across the street from one another. They enjoy all sorts of games both together and with their other equally-colourful friends. One day, Little Blue wants to play with Little Yellow but cannot find him. Overjoyed as they finally meet up, they hug until they become green! However, when they go home, their parents do not recognize them, and they are very sad. Where did Little Blue and Little Yellow go? Are they lost? This delightful story has many layers. It can simply be read as a way to introduce the concept of colour to young children, but it has deeper, yet understated, themes of friendship and diversity. It is a delight to read and look at, and while this sturdy edition is certainly aimed at the preschool crowd, older children will enjoy it too. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

scholarly journals A New Pedagogy to Enhance the Safety and Resilience of Journalists in Dangerous Environments Globally

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Colm Murphy ◽  
Pat Deeny ◽  
Nigel Taylor
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Safety Skills ◽  
Media Freedom ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
The Military

Risks to journalists are rising with disasters, epidemics, physical, mental and digital harassment all increasing globally. Some 1382 journalists have been killed since 1992 and 246 are imprisoned. However, the threat type has been changing, with the majority of journalists killed annually being ones working in their own country, often who are targeted for assassination. In response, UNESCO and others have called for research into best practice for safety education to halt this and the consequential decline in global media freedom. This five-year award winning project, A Holistic Humanitarian Approach to Enhance the Safety and Resilience of Journalists Globally, tested the hypothesis that a new pedagogy based on a ‘holistic humanitarian’ philosophy would be more effective in protecting journalists working in dangerous domains globally than existing provisions. The little-changed 30-year-old dominant international provision, the ‘military battlefield’ pedagogy, is used by the world’s major news organizations like BBC, CNN and the New York Times. This new pedagogy adapted and customized best practice from other professions and used Taylor’s 2020 Competencies for Disaster Healthcare professionals. A new program was devised and the two international cohorts who took it in 2018 and 2019 judged that it ‘very significantly’ enhanced their resilience and safety skills. Its concentration on group and individual physical and mental resilience building, risk mitigation, psychology, communication, self-defence, and digital security skill acquisition was a paradigm shift in training internationally for news professionals in dangerous environments. The research, thus, proved the study’s hypotheses.

scholarly journals How Do Dinosaurs Say I’M MAD? by J. Yolen

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
The University ◽  
Jane Yolen

Yolen, Jane.  How Do Dinosaurs Say I’M MAD? Illus. Mark Teague. New York: Scholastic-The Blue Sky Press, 2013. Print.This book about misbehaving dinosaurs is one of the most recent from the How Do Dinosaurs… series (of over 20 titles) power-duo of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Multiple award winning author Yolen and illustrator Teague have created a how-to manual of sorts to help the littlest people, as well as adults, learn to control our tempers.The dinosaurs in this story, who will be very familiar to fans of this series, are feeling angry due to many reasons; the Barapasaurus is upset about something he cannot have (his sister’s tricycle); the Afrovenator has been asked to sit still but he is having none of that; and the Lystosaurus does not want to go for a nap. They react with tantrums and terrible dino behavior that many young readers may see reflected in themselves: banging of toys, stomping, throwing things, and pouting.The bad behaviours are then tempered with calming techniques; counting to 10, breathing calmly, cleaning up, saying sorry and giving hugs.  Of course the outcome is not always so easily achieved with real children!  Mark Teague’s illustrations are very expressive, so much so that my 5-year-old was upset by the menacing and angry looks that the parents directed towards their dinosaur children in most of the images.  Luckily of course by the end of the book both parent and child have resolved the issues. While the familiarity of the characters in this book may be a draw for some readers, it can also create a sense of formulaic repetition for adults.   Recommended for public and school libraries.Recommended: 3 stars of out 4 Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

The Rising by K. Armstrong

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
Biological Father ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Series Fiction ◽  
The University ◽  
Love Triangle

Armstrong, Kelley. The Rising. Toronto: HarperTeen, 2013. Print. Ontario-based award-winning writer Kelley Armstrong, author of the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling Darkest Powers young adult urban fantasy trilogy, brings us the third and final title of her Darkness Rising trilogy.  The first in the trilogy, 2011’s The Gathering, was previously reviewed in the inaugural issue of Deakin, Vol. 1 No 1 and the second, The Calling, was reviewed in Vol. 2 No. 4. As with the previous book in the trilogy, this book is not meant to be read on its own, as again the author’s recap on events and characters is minimal. I felt the need to revisit the second book and familiarize myself with the plot before I started in on The Rising as it had been a year between books, the price of being a fan of series fiction. Sixteen-year-old supernatural, Maya Delaney, and her fellow supe friends are assumed dead after an apparent helicopter rescue-turned-crash leaves them running for their lives.  With no one they can trust to turn to, the teens are truly in harm’s way as their supernatural abilities start careening out of control. Corey’s headaches are increasing, Nicole’s mental state is fragile at best and even Maya is concerned that she herself may be regressing. Like it or not, the friends need assistance from the rival networks that seek to exploit their abilities. Maya’s biological father, Calvin Antone, plays a larger role in this book and again, his intentions are often unclear. The intensifying romance of the previous book does indeed lead to the expected supernatural YA love triangle, but it feels forced and formulaic, as if the author’s fans would expect it and so it was hastily written in. There is a continued lack of storyline that seems to centre around the characters’ need to run and hide, which is echoed in Armstrong’s other works. I am giving this book three stars out of four because true Armstrong fans will enjoy the series as a whole as well as the tie-in to well-loved characters in her Darkest Powers trilogy and devour it regardless of its limitations.  The epilogue will be particularly satisfying. I would not be surprised to learn of yet another spin-off series with Maya or some of the new characters introduced in the series. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

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