Link Love - William Joyce, Mock Newberys and Ian Falconer's New Yorker

Another week gone by and more links to be had. Start clicking!

~ First up, William Joyce's new picture book The Man in the Moon released this week. I haven't read it yet but took a minute to flip through, and as expected the art is amazing. Seriously, this is a feast for the eyes and is the kind of thing curious kids (and adults) will pore over. For more info about Joyce and the Guardians of Childhood, check out this issue of Shelf Awareness's Maximum Shelf.

~ Celebrate Roald Dahl this month! It's hard to imagine a world without Roald Dahl's characters -- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and of course James and the Giant Peach. (or my personal fave, the underappreciated Danny the Champion of the World). You can honor Dahl's creations by sending a virtual peach -- or, see Dahl illustrator Quentin Blake virtually live on September 28. Scrumptious!

~ Last week I posted about ways you can help hurricane-damaged libraries. Check out Kate Messner's blog for an update -- and thanks to all who are participating.

~ If there's one thing I'm passionate about, it's reading aloud to Sprout. Seriously, it's a rare night that we miss it, and I'm determined to keep that up as long as possible. I firmly believe that reading aloud is the kind of project that's more marathon than sprint, and Read Aloud Dad has a little something to say about that this week too.

~ Along the same lines, a writer reflects on her time working with struggling readers as a parent volunteer. Her conclusions, and the reality of what she experienced, may be somewhat surprising. From School Library Journal.

~ On to fun stuff: It's Book Blogger Appreciation Week! Book blogs abound, in all subject categories and possible permutations. Events like this give us a chance to step back and examine what's happening on other blogs and what trends other bloggers are embracing. Plus, you can find some new favorite reads -- win win! Check out the site and vote for your faves in various categories.

~ Speaking of voting, it's also just about time for the Mock Newberys to start up. Got any personal picks or secret hopes for serious contenders? I'm always fascinated to see not only who's nominated but what great reads don't make the cut -- and how close the Mock Newberys come to the real thing. Bookmark Heavy Medal now.

~ I really, truly love Ian Falconer. Olivia is the kind of book that works on several levels, both for kids and for adults. Best of all, the illustrations give a cheeky nod to old masters and are a great way to introduce kids to some spectacular artwork (although I find the TV adaptation books just unfortunate). Fuse #8 takes a look at Falconer's New Yorker covers, and as expected there's more here than meets the eye. I especially love the ESOL -- heh heh.

~ And finally, I'd be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the anniversary that's on all our minds today. Ten years ago the world changed for America. And we will never be the same again. For Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers, 9/11 sparked a desire to examine what patriotism meant to them. The result, We Are America, is simply breathtaking, inspiring, and unifying.