In case you haven't heard....

The National Book Awards were handed out earlier this week. For all categories, from fiction to poetry to nonfiction to––hooray!––young people's literature.


The winner of the 2013 NBA for Young People's Literature is: Cynthia Kadohata, for her middle-grade novel The Thing About Luck. Cynthia is also the author of the 2005 Newbery Award-winner, Kira-Kira.

The end of an era: Charlotte Zolotow

Children's book giant Charlotte Zolotow, author of more than 70 books and editor (at HarperCollins predecessor Harper & Row, where she reigned over her namesake imprint), has died at the inspiring age of 98.

Zolotow's picture books are numerous (Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, William's Doll, My Grandson Lew, to name a few). As both a writer and editor she crossed paths with a veritable Who's Who of children's literary stars (M. E. Kerr, Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, Patricia MacLachlan, William Pene du Bois, Maurice Sendak, H.A. Rey, Hilary Knight, Ursula Nordstrom, and more).

In the New York Times article announcing her death, Mrs. Zolotow is quoted from an earlier piece of writing for The Horn Book journal: "We are not different from the children we were––only more experienced, better able to disguise our feelings from others, if not ourselves.”

  

Editors play favorites

This week, Publisher's Weekly gave readers––and particularly children's book devotees––an early holiday gift. In a fascinating post, prominent children's book editors expounded on their personal favorite books they worked on. To hear the backstory of many beloved stories is something many of us will appreciate and enjoy.

Happy pre-holidays!

(Which reminds me. Have you registered for our fabulous December holiday party / art show / raffle / extravaganza yet? It's going to be oh, so merry, and all the merrier with you there!)

Apologies for the late notice, as this exhibition has been up for months, but we'd like to call your attention to an exhibition of very special book for children at the University of washington. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries is currently exhibiting Merry Company: Pop-ups, Movables & Toy Books, which features nearly 150 pieces from the collection of Pamela Harer and the UW Libraries Historical Children’s Literature Collection & the Book Arts Collection. The show is up through Friday, March 16.

Directions within the library: Enter the main Suzzallo Library entrance facing Red Square. Walk straight through Suzzallo to Allen North (Special Collections can also be reached using the elevators in Allen Library South). Take the elevator down two floors to the basement and Special Collections. For more information (including hours of access) visit the webpage. Thanks to Tina Hoggatt for sending the information.