Welcome!

Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The dragon of Trelian Blog Book Tour - Day Two

Welcome to day two of The Dragon of Trelian blog book tour. Today I am going to be interviewing the author, Michelle Knudsen. Michelle has written numerous books for children over the years. The Dragon of Trelian is her first novel for older readers.

1. Over the years, you have written many books for young children. What prompted you to write a novel for older readers?
I had always wanted to write novels -- fantasy novels in particular. I think it just took me a long time to feel ready. All of my professional experience was with younger and shorter books, and a novel seemed like such a huge undertaking. (And it was!) I had a few ideas for novels written down in notebooks, but it wasn't until I got the first glimmer of the idea for The Dragon of Trelian that I actually attempted to turn one of my novel ideas into a book.

2. Where did the inspiration for this book come from?
It's always hard for me to say where the initial inspiration for any book comes from. I think for this story, it started with an image: a boy and a girl at a window in a castle. I started thinking more and more about who they might be and why they were there, and eventually I started to imagine the characters of Meg and Calen and some of what would be happening in the plot. I also knew I would want to include some of my favorite fantasy elements, like dragons and castles and magic and romance and adventure, and so all of that ended up being worked in as I developed the story and characters.

3. Did you draw on myths and legends about dragons to create the dragon in this book?
I've loved dragons for about as long as I've been reading fantasy (which is almost as long as I've been able to read). I definitely have a lot of impressions about dragons based on all the old and new books and stories I've read over the years, including everything from fairy tales and folklore to modern fantasy novels to Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games. Dragons are presented in countless ways across different sources, and for my dragon I used what made the most sense to me for this story. I knew I wanted him to be a bit mysterious and alien -- I didn't want him to be able to speak in human languages like some dragons can, or for him to be too easy for Meg and Calen to understand or communicate with directly. He's a wild, magical creature, with a mind and way of experiencing the world that is very different from the way humans think and experience things.

4. From your website, I saw that you work on several projects at once. How does that work?
I don't really have one clear system. I worked on The Dragon of Trelian for a long time, on and off -- about seven and a half years from start to finish (that is, from the day I sat down to write the first line to the day the finished book came out in stores). In between I worked on lots of other projects. Sometimes I set the novel aside for months at a time, either because I wanted to focus on other things for a while or because I needed some time to figure out parts of the story that weren't coming together yet. Today I always seem to be working on a bunch of different projects at once. Some days I might work on a novel for a few hours and then switch to working on a picture book, some days I might only work on one thing, some days I might not do any writing at all. Different projects are also often in various stages. So I might be working on a first draft of a new picture book around the same time I'm in the middle of a first draft of a novel and working on revisions of another book or looking over copyedits for something else. It depends what else I have in the works and what stage each project is at. I also enjoy working on more than one first draft at a time and bouncing back and forth between different stories. Especially since a lot of my first drafts are exploratory drafts, and won't necessarily end up as successful manuscripts. I can worry less about whether each individual idea is going to pan out when I know I've got other ideas going at the same time. Also, sometimes it just really helps me to put one thing aside to work on another for a while.

5. How long does it take you to write a picture book?
Sometimes I can write a first draft very quickly -- maybe even in just one day (or night). Other times I might only have the first few lines, and need to come back to that beginning several times before figuring out how to go on. Other times I might finish a first draft in a few days but then need to do lots and lots of revision. I have some picture book manuscripts I have worked on for years, on and off, before figuring out the best way to tell the story.

6. Do you have any plans to write a sequel to The Dragon of Trelian?
Yes! I'm working on it right now, in fact.

7. The connection between Meg and the orphaned dragon she finds is a powerful one. Where did the idea for this come from?
This is another difficult thing to really pin down. I knew I wanted Meg to have a relationship with a dragon, but I don't think I actually planned at first what exactly that relationship would be like. I figure out a lot of the story during the actual writing of the first draft, and so a lot of the time what happens is as surprising to me as it is to my characters! When I was little, I used to desperately want to be able to communicate with animals. Especially cats. I used to try to talk to cats all the time, wishing they would talk back. I suspect part of that desire showed up in Meg's link with Jakl. Although they can't actually talk to each other in words, they share feelings and energy and sensations, and I had a lot of fun trying to imagine what that might be like.

8. Do you work on your picture book stories in your head before you start to write, or do you make notes on paper?
Both. Sometimes I get an idea and jot notes down on whatever is handy so I won't forget. The first draft of my picture book Library Lion, for example, was written on pieces of purple note paper, some post-it notes, and the back of an envelope. Other times I will carry a story idea in my head for a little while before writing anything down. If the idea seems too fragile and I'm not sure enough yet about what it will be, I might wait to write it down for fear of forcing it into tangible form before it's ready. And other times I will just start writing with no real idea of what a story is about, just to see what might happen.

9. What do you like to do when you are not writing or editing?
I love to read (of course!) and I also spend way too much time on the computer, writing email and chatting with friends and playing Scrabble on Facebook. :) When I do actually manage to pull myself away from my computer, I love going to the movies, hanging out with friends in real life instead of online, and going for walks around my neighborhood or other places in Brooklyn or Manhattan. I used to act and sing in community theater, but I haven't had as much time as I'd like for that in recent years. I'm hoping to get involved in a show again in the near future, though, if I possibly can. It's a lot of fun to be working on a production with a bunch of other people, and it's a nice counterpoint to writing, which involves a lot of sitting alone at your desk!

10. Do you have any big projects on the horizon that you are excited about?
I'm very excited about my next picture book, which is being published by Candlewick Press in spring 2011. It's called ARGUS and is being illustrated by the wonderful Andréa Wesson. I've also got some other picture books in the works, and am hard at work on the sequel to The Dragon of Trelian and another (unrelated) novel, which is a fantasy for YA readers.


Many thanks Michelle. You can find out more about Michelle on her website and on her blog.

Monday, June 1, 2009

The Dragon of Trelian Blog Book Tour - Day One

Welcome everyone. For the next three days I am going to be talking about The Dragon of Trelian, a novel by Michelle Knudsen. This is Michelle's first novel, and it is a delightful read. Here is my review of the book.

The Dragon of Trelian
Michelle Knudsen
Fiction (Series)
Ages 10 to 14
Candlewick Press, 2009, 978-0-7636-3455-1
Important things are happening in the land of Trelian. Princess Maerlie is going to marry Prince Ryant of Kragnir, and the hope is that this union will end a conflict that has raged between Trelian and Kragnir for many years. Calen, the mage’s apprentice, is quietly proceeding with his rather dull lessons when his master Serek asks him to look at some spirit cards. The cards tell Calen that something really terrible is going to happen in the future.
Then, to complicate Calen’s life further, Princess Meglynne shows Calen a special secret that she has. Meg found a baby dragon a few months ago and she has been taking care of it ever since. Now the dragon is much bigger, and Meg does not know how she is going to be able to hide it. In addition, she feels a strong connection with the dragon and she is not sure what the connection is. The feeling frightens her, but at the same time she cannot imagine not having the dragon in her life.
When a terrible monster attacks the palace, Calen begins to believe that the spirit cards were telling the truth. Something bad is going to happen, and Calen has no idea what he should do.
In her first novel for young readers, Michelle Knudsen combines magic, romance, myth, intrigue, and adventure to give her readers a highly entertaining read. The author will keep her readers sitting on the edge of their seats right until the last minute.

Please visit the other bloggers who are participating in this tour:
A Christian Worldview of Fiction, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschool Book Buzz, KidzBookBuzz.com, Reading is My Superpower, Reading to Know, Small World Reads, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eyes, Through the Looking Glass Reviews

Friday, May 29, 2009

A book giveaway from Roaring Brook Press!


Roaring Brook Press is giving away four signed copies of their book Come to the Castle: A Visit to a Castle in Thirteenth-Century England. I have not reviewed the book yet but it looks marvellous. If you would like to try to win a copy visit this website page. The deadline is June 1st!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Nominations for the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Awards

The nominations for the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Awards are in. The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are presented every two years by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) to "an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important and lasting contribution to children's literature" The nominations are:

Argentina: Author: Liliana Bodoc; Illustrator: Luis Scafati
Austria: Author: Heinz Janisch; Illustrator: Linda Wolfsgruber
Belgium: Author: Pierre Coran; Illustrator: Carll Cneut
Brazil: Author: Bartolomeu Campos de Queirós; Illustrator: Roger Mello
Canada: Author: Brian Doyle; Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay
China: Author: Liu Xianping
Croatia: Illustrator: Svjetlan Junakóvić
Cyprus: Author: Maria Pyliotou
Czech Republic: Author: Pavel Šrut; Illustrator: Jiří Šalamoun
Denmark: Author: Louis Jensen; Illustrator: Lilian Brøgger
Finland: Author: Hannu Mäkelä; Illustrator: Salla Savolainen
France: Author: Jean-Claude Mourlevat; Illustrator: Grégoire Solotareff
Germany: Author: Peter Härtling; Illustrator: Jutta Bauer
Greece: Author: Loty Petrovits-Andrutsopulou; Illustrator: Diatsenta Parissi
Iran: Author: Ahmad Reza Ahmadi
Ireland: Author: Eoin Colfer; Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Japan: Author: Shuntaro Tanikawa; Illustrator: Akiko Hayashi
Lithuania: Illustrator: Kęstutis Kasparavičius
Mexico: Author: Alberto Blanco; Illustrator: Fabricio Vanden Broeck
Mongolia: Author: Dashdondog Jamba
Netherlands: Author: Peter van Gestel; Illustrator: Harrie Geelen
Norway: Author: Bjørn Sortland; Illustrator: Thore Hansen
Russia: Illustrator: Nickolay Popov
Serbia: Author: Zoran Božović
Slovak Republic: Author: Ján Uličiansky Illustrator: Peter Uchnár
Slovenia: Author: Tone Pavček; Illustrator: Ančka Gošnik Godec
Spain: Author: Jordi Sierra i Fabra; Illustrator: Xan López Domínguez
Sweden: Lennart Hellsing; Illustrator: Anna-Clara Tidholm
Switzerland: Illustrator: Etienne Delessert
Turkey: Author: Muzaffer İzgü; Illustrator: Can Göknil
Uganda: Author: Evangeline Ledi Barongo
United Kingdom: Author: David Almond; Illustrator: Michael Foreman
USA: Author: Walter Dean Myers; Illustrator: Eric Carle

I am thrilled that Cyprus, the island where I mostly grew up, has nominated someone.

The winners of the 2008 Hans Christian Andersen Award were:
Author: Jurg Schubiger - a Swiss writer
Illustrator: Roberto Innocenti - an Italian illustrator who has given the world of children's literature many stunningly beautiful books.

You can see a complete list of past winners on the IBBY website.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Remember Rachel Carson on May 27th

On May 27th, 1907, A very special little girl, Rachel Carson, came into this world. With her book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson drew attention to the fact that the world's natural recources are not able to tolerate years of abuse forever. Eventually damage is done, and the consequences can be far reaching and permanent. Many people believe Rachel Carson was the person who really got the first environmental movement off the ground. Children can find out about this extraordinary woman by reading Rachel: The story of Rachel Carson by Amy Ehrlich and iIllustrated by Wendell Minor.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Fuse #8 Top 100 Picture Book Poll

Elizabeth Bird, from Fuse #8 - a School Library Journal blog - has posted the results of her Top 100 Picture Book poll. Titles on the list include Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak, and Yoko by Rosemary Wells. Take a look at this list here. I am willing to bet that you will find a lot of old friends on the list. I looked the list over carefully and came to the conclusion that I have read all the books. Some I don't remember very well because I was very young when I read them. However, I have not reviewed all of them. Perhaps that should be a goal that I can work towards.

Monday, May 18, 2009

The 2009 Children's Choice Book Awards

For those of you have have not heard the buzz, this year's Children's Choice Book Award winners are as follows:

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year:
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! written and illustrated by Mo Willems (Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Book Group)

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year: Spooky Cemeteries by Dinah Williams (Bearport Publishing)

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year: Thirteen by Lauren Myracle (Dutton/Penguin Young Readers Group)

Teen Choice Book of the Year: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown and Company)

Author of the Year: Stephenie Meyer, for Breaking Dawn (Little, Brown and Company)

Illustrator of the Year: Jon J Muth, for Zen Ties (Scholastic Press)
The Children's Choice Book Awards are special because young people are the ones who decide who the winners are. You can find out more about these awards and this year's winners here.

Friday, May 15, 2009

A Day in the life of a writer - Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Today we are going to be hearing from Kathryn Fitzmaurice again. She is busy working on her second book, and promoting her first book. The Year the Swallows came early. Here is what she has to say:

Every so often a small bit of magic sneaks in and settles over you when you’re writing. It can happen at any time. It never announces itself beforehand. It tiptoes quietly from behind and takes over, and suddenly, you know what you’re working on is going to be better than it was yesterday. You can’t say why really, but you know. You smile for the rest of the day, even though you don’t say why. And you hope it will happen again tomorrow.
I have had moments like this myself. In fact, I had one not long ago as I was writing the text for a picture book. I was wondering what was going to happen next, when it came to me and the words settled onto the page. It was funny, it was perfect, and I laughed out loud. Those few minutes made my day.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Crocodday Blog Book Tour - Day Three

In her book, Crocodaddy, Kim Norman celebrates a warm relationship between a father and son. As I collected books for Mother's Day and Father's Day this year, I noticed that there really aren't that many books about fathers and their children. We need more books about the role that fathers play in their children's lives. You can see the books I have reviewed so far on the Father's Day Feature page on the Through the Looking Glass Book Review. More titles are in the process of being added for the June issue of the online magazine. Of these books, I particularly enjoyed Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino.

What I really like about Crocodaddy is that it not only highlights the
relationship between a father and a son, but it also shows readers that the simple things in life are often the most meaningful. In Crocdaddy it is a game that is played in the local pond on a summer's day. These events and traditions are often the things we remember many years later. I remember sitting on the front porch with my father and watching the swallows dipping and diving in the air around us. After I left my parental home I never lived in a place where they have swallows - until now. Now I get to share the dance of the swallows with my daughter. My father 's spirit sits is with me as I share this simple joy with my child.

To wrap up this blog book tour, Kim Norman has kindly offered to give one of my readers a signed copy of her book. If you would like the book please send me an email.

The Crocodadddy Book Tour - Day Two

Good morning everyone. Today I am going to be interviewing Kim Norman, the author of a picture book called Crocodaddy.

Marya: Where did the idea for the Crocodaddy game come from?
Kim: It was a pretend game we played in our little backyard pool when our younger son was a preschooler. Of course, I was more of a bystander watching the fun between my husband, (the REAL Crocodaddy), and my sons. Just last night, my husband was recalling how they used to climb on his back and he'd toss them off with a splash, just like the father and son in the book.

Marya: Why did you decide to share the joy of the this game with your readers?
Kim: Well, I thought the word "Crocodaddy" was such a fun word, there must be a book in it. It took me several years of ruminating during my morning walks for the story to evolve. I'd already written one version that my critique group thought was a bit too intense for toddlers, (they thought it might be too scary), when -- one morning during a walk -- the rhythm of the refrain came into my head. "Crocodaddy, Crocodaddy, whatcha gonna do?" I could hardly wait to get home and start writing a new version with that bouncy refrain added to it.

Marya: You are an artist as well as a writer. Do you think you might, one day, illustrate some of the picture books that you have written?
Kim: I would love to do that someday. My favorite medium is collage. Besides writing books, I'm a freelance graphic artist, but that doesn't really involve drawing skills -- not since the advent of electronic clipart! My drawing skills have withered, I'm afraid, since computers started doing so much of the work for me! But years ago, I used to create collages which I'd display in art shows. When time allows, maybe after my younger son is off to college, I'd like to pull out my art supplies and see if I can't awaken my inner illustrator!
Marya: How did you start writing children’s books?
Kim: It has been nearly 20 years since I began writing, trying my hand at this and that genre. I think most writers do that, drifting from project to project, until they find the type of writing best suited for them. (Unless they're very prolific and eclectic, and can write all SORTS of books.) But I suddenly felt very at home once I started writing children's books. I can always count back to the time I finished writing my first picture book, because I know I sat down to write it after putting my younger son, then an infant, back into his crib following a predawn feeding. He's 15 now. I had a LOT to learn, (still do) about writing children's books, but that first story has been revised innumerable times, so I think it's pretty solid now. I've written and sold other books, but that first story is now with my agent, and she thinks it's ready to start sending out again.

Marya:What aspect of the book writing process do you like the most?
Kim: Definitely the earliest part, the brainstorming and initial rush of getting a story down. If that story happens to be written in rhyme, all the better. Not all my books are in rhyme, but I've found that rhyme is the one form of writing that pulls me obsessively back to the work. Other types of writing, I tend to procrastinate, like a kid ignoring her homework. Very bad habit! I also like the final polishing stages of picture book writing, where you're honing each word, which often includes cutting words. It's kind of fun, seeing how bare bones I can make it while still retaining the flavor of the story. Picture books SHOULD feel a bit bare, when you're reading just the manuscript. If it feels too complete, it probably means you've forgotten to leave room for the illustrator to tell some of the story.

Thank you Kim for a great interview.
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