Before Classics Were Classics

Here's a article that will get you thinking. Many books considered masterpieces today, received brutal reviews when they first came out. The list in this article mainly has novels, but you will find a few children's books. One being a book that is now a classic example of the best in illustrated picture books...Where the Wild Things Are.

Publisher's Weekly, 1963

“The plan and technique of the illustrations are superb. … But they may well prove frightening, accompanied as they are by a pointless and confusing story.” — Publisher’s Weekly, 1963

One year later...

 

In 1964, the American Library Association awarded Mr. Sendak the Caldecott Medal, considered the Pulitzer Prize of children’s book illustration, for Where the Wild Things Are. "In simple, incantatory language, the book told the story of Max, a naughty boy who rages at his mother and is sent to his room without supper. A pocket Odysseus, Max promptly sets sail...There, Max leads the creatures in a frenzied rumpus before sailing home, anger spent, to find his supper waiting." 

—The New York Times.

 nearly 50 years later...

“Each word has been carefully chosen and the simplicity of the language is quite deceptive.”

— School Library Journal

#1 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963) "Arguably the single greatest picture book ever created." – Hotspur Closser — Top 100 Picture Books #1: Where the Wild Things Are 

 and 19 million copies, and counting, later...

"A signed first edition of "Where the Wild Things Are," the classic children's book by late author Maurice Sendak, has fetched an eyebrow-raising $25,000 on online book retailer abebooks.com, thus making it one of the most expensive children’s books sold in recent memory." 

 — New York Daily News

"Abe Books spokesman... Richard Davies told the Daily News that for "Where the Wild Things Are" in particular, it was rare for these books to go for so much because a lot of the 1960s editions were mass published. To date, 19 million copies of the Caldecott Medal-winning book have been sold."

— CBS News June 1, 2012

Wednesday Links

Now that summer is over, school has started, and it's back to a scheduled life, I'm giving myself a deadline. For me deadlines make things happen. In the past I posted on this blog at whim. I still will for the most part, but I've decided to reserve one day a week for posting links to other great blogs I've run across. This will help me remember where to find them, and help spread the word. (Sometimes one link leads to another, and another, and another, and I forget where I started!)

Book design links:
Book Design Review
Jacket Whys

What editors want (In manuscript submissions and web portfolios):
Full Circle Literary
Editorial Anonymous

Challenge, and future quiz, on "Everything We Think You Should Know If You're Going To Call Yourself a Pro In This Field":
Susan Sandmore

Studio lighting:
Gurney Journey

Thanks Mishaps and Adventures for the book design links.

Up Close and Personal Contest Update

Sam Bennett's New Shoes, ©2006 Jennifer Thermes

Have you entered the contest to win a signed copy of Sam Bennett's New Shoes by Jennifer Thermes yet? There's still time. In fact, after it was brought to my attention that some of the auction dates have changed, I'm changing the rules! Anyone who posted on the original Behind the Snowflakes- Up Close and Personal post will be in the drawing. Whether you answered correctly or not! If you haven't entered yet you still can. Just go here, and read all about it. The new date for the drawing will be November 19th. The first day of the Robert's Snow auction.

Like to enter contests? Paradise Found has put together a list of all the Blogging for a Cure bloggers who are giving away books and art . Check it out!

Update:
Here is just one of the many contests going one.

Thirteen Reasons Why

...you need to read this book.










1. The hype surrounding the sale.
2. The hype surrounding the release.
3. Talented debut author. (With even more hype!)
4. Intriguing title.
5. Cool cover.
6. Even cooler concept.
7. Clay’s frustrated and confused voice.
8. Hannah’s troubled and hopeless voice.
9. Compelling suspense.
10. Raw emotion.
11. A setting you will long remember.
12. A premise you won’t soon forget.
13. A profound ending that will really make you think.

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher
will be released October 2007 by Razorbill/Penguin

I ended up reading Thirteen Reasons Why "early" for one reason. Jay Asher sent me a ARC! Thanks to reading his blog, posting a message, and placing in the 2007 Smartwriters.com competition. (You can read how here.)

The package came the day before I was heading off on my family vacation so it traveled with me.





I have to admit, at first I wasn’t sure about the book. Just like when you hear a lot of good things about a movie. When you get to see it, it doesn't always live up to all the hype. I also thought maybe I was too old to relate to the experiences of the characters. Has it been too long since high school? Has that much changed? Maybe my life experiences would make the problems the characters faced seem trivial. But with each side of a new tape, I was drawn in. The problems became real. Like a snowball, each action built on the next until I completely understood Hannah’s despair.

The interesting thing is, you know the outcome. You know Hannah does kill herself. You know Clay can’t do anything to change that. But you also know something needs to change. Once I got to this point, I couldn’t put the book down. I wanted so badly for Clay to not be on the list. I wanted Hannah to snap out of it. She was making me angry. I couldn’t put the book down, until I got to the last chapter. Then I waited. I knew I wanted to control where I was, and what I was surrounded by when I read the ending. I knew I wanted to be able to reflect on everything that had just taken place in the last 24 hours.

But the real reason to read this novel is the chance that, just maybe, it might cause someone to make a different choice in their actions, that ultimately could make a difference in someone’s life.

Book Review: Lissy's Friends

Lissy's Friends, written and illustrated by Grace Lin. Viking (a division of Penguin Young Readers Group). $15.99

I got this package in the mail shortly after responding to the opportunity to read an advance copy of Lissy’s Friends, a new book by author/illustrator Grace Lin. Being a graphic designer and having a fine appreciation for a great presentation, I have to say just opening the package blew me away. Not only was there a beautiful book with the distinctive art of Grace Lin adorning its cover, but there was a handmade note card in a small gold envelope, a shimmery gold paper band wrapped around the book and sealed with a sticker bearing her logo, and best of all, a beautiful paper crane attached with gold thread strung in beads. Now this is impressive! The only problem is, it’s setting up very high expectations for the book itself.

But, Lissy’s Friends doesn’t disappoint! A delightful cover. Interior pages loaded with colors, patterns, and shapes just like Lissy’s origami friends. Illustrations that literally come to life, as we see inanimate objects take on their own personalities. From the soft background patterns and detailed borders, to the darling little Lissy herself, Lin put her unique and recognizable style all over this book.

It’s a simple story about a simple problem, one that both kids and parents can relate to, adapting to change and fitting in. Lissy finds the most unusual and imaginative way to do this! Her plan works at first, but she soon discovers that it won’t last. The friends she “made” must move on. (Although these friends do show up in a surprising way later on, just when you think the story is over, showing how moving on to new things can lead to adventure!) The story uses the metaphors of “making” and “losing” friends. Lissy makes new friends each day, only her friends are folded out of colorful paper. Eventually she realizes that losing those friends is exactly what helps her make “real” friends.

Lin was able to do what all great author/illustrators must be able to do, let the words and the images compliment one another. My favorite spread shows this done to perfection. Lissy is walking down the school hallway with other kids around her, but not talking to her. Barely visible is a paper crane peaking out of her pocket. The text reads “The rest of the day, Lissy smiled a secret smile.” This made me smile too. The reader immediately feels like she knows the secret that none of the kids at school do.

The story shows both Lissy’s sad and her happy moments, and ultimately the understanding of what a treasure true friendship really is. As an added bonus, instructions are included on how to fold a paper crane. Kids will not only delight in discovering all the different origami animals in this book, they will be anxious to make one of their very own. In fact, I think it’s time for me to make one for myself!