Over the moon about Brenda Guiberson

Publishers Weekly carried a nice article about her latest book, MOON BEAR:

A bear forages for food, climbs into its tree nest, and scales the snow-capped Himalayas in Moon Bear by Brenda Z. Guiberson, featuring cut-paper illustrations by Ed Young. Out this month from Holt, the book spotlights the Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear, for the white crescent-shaped marking on its chest.

A concluding author’s note addressing the plight of this endangered species is accompanied by photos of moon bears living in a China sanctuary run by the Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation, which will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sales of Moon Bear. The publisher has also launched an on-line campaign to adopt a moon bear—with readers’ help.

Read the rest.

Help save a moon bear

Check out this inspiring effort to save an endangered Asian bear called the Moon Bear, part of a promotional effort around Brenda Z. Guiberson's book, MOON BEAR.

See the campaign here.

Great news for Brenda Z. Guiberson

Many of us know Brenda from the classes she teaches at the University of Washington. She's a deserving recipient of the National Science Teachers Association award for books published in 2009. Here's the description of her book:

Life in the Boreal Forest. Brenda Z. Guiberson. Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an Imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. 32pp. Trade ISBN 9780805077186, $16.99. (P, I) The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to raise young. Websites, Author’s Note. NHM (IV) Supplemental Material: Boreal Forest Succession (Alaska FWS)

Check out the site.

Brenda also is online.


Thanks to Laurie Thompson for the link.

Assorted bits of good news

Joni Sensel's THE FARWALKER'S QUEST is a finalist in the middle grade fantasy category of the Cybils award (right between Laini Taylor and Neil Gaiman--what a talent sandwich).

Our former member Joan Holub has an easy reader on the list: SHAMPOODLE.

Justina Chen is on the list in the YA category for the oft-starred NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL.

Our honorary member Lisa Schroeder also gets a nod in the YA category for FAR FROM YOU.

And in other bits of happiness, Brenda Z. Guiberson's LIFE IN THE BOREAL FOREST is featured today on Anastasia Suen's site (and it was featured last night in my living room; my 9-year-old wanted to know how Gennady Spirin did the fantastic illustrations).

http://6traits.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/nonfiction-monday-life-in-the-boreal-forest/

UW Extension Writing for Children Certificate Program now enrolling

This just in...

The 2009-10 University of Washington Writing for Children certificate program is now enrolling.

Investigate the world of children's fiction and nonfiction, including picture books, chapter books, and novels. Learn to bring your own tales to life and captivate children's imaginations. Discover how to transform the idea of a story into an enthralling narrative, page by page.

The program, which consists of three 10-week courses, begins in October 2009.

Instructors are Donna L. Bergman (Autumn 2009“Foundations” course), Nina Hess (Winter 2010 “Intermediate” course), and Brenda Z. Guiberson (Spring 2010 “Capstone” course). For complete program details and registration information, please see their website.