A Lion of a Tale from Delacorte

In a video clip that has been viewed on YouTube (in several versions) by more than 10 million people, a lion emerges from the African wilderness to embrace—literally—two men standing in a clearing. Those men, Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall, chronicle the events leading up to that encounter in Christian the Lion, a Delacorte release with a March 10 laydown.

Rodeen Literary Open for Business

Children’s book agent Paul Rodeen, who learned his craft as assistant to George Nicholson at Sterling Lord Literistic for three years, before opening an SLL Chicago satellite office four years ago, has opened his own literary agency. Rodeen Literary Management, headquartered in Chicago, will represent both veteran and aspiring children’s book authors and illustrators.

Children’s Book Publishing in Asia

Taking the pulse of the children’s book market in Asia is no easy task. For a start, this is a huge territory with varying tastes for originals, translations, picture books and YA titles. In general, picture books remain the region’s most popular exports. YA titles are starting to shine, with no better example than Nahoko Uehashi’s Moribito series, winner of the 2008 Mildred L.

Children's Book Reviews: Week of 3/2/2009

Picture Books Bad Frogs Thacher Hurd . Candlewick , $15.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-7636-3253-3 Hurd’s artwork is as exuberant as ever—his portraits of mischief-making amphibians have a ripped-from-the-easel sense of fun, with colors that look like they dried only minutes before readers opened the book.

Comics Grow at Graphic Universe

Originally launched in 2006 to produce comics under the Lerner Publishing Group's Carolrhoda Books imprint, Lerner Graphic Universe has grown into its own imprint, adding more titles and series and even making a foray into the international market by licensing and translating a French-language graphic novel series.

CBC Reveals ‘Children’s Choice’ Finalists

They’re back: the Children’s Book Council has unveiled the finalists for the second-annual Children’s Choice Book Awards. Nearly 15,000 children cast their votes in six categories—four based on age group, as well as author and illustrator of the year.

The Buzz About Accord’s AniMotion Series

There’s significant movement—on-page and in sales—at Denver-based Accord Publishing, a division of Andrews McMeel. In Bee & Me, an October 2008 release written by Elle J. Mcguinness and illustrated by Heather Brown, a bumblebee appears to fly, thanks to a moving-image technique the publisher calls AniMotion.

First Books About First Dog

While President Barack Obama’s election-night speech electrified millions all over the world, the newly elected president’s public promise that evening to his two daughters—that they could get a puppy to live with them in the White House—has captured the imaginations of three children’s publishers.

Q & A with Susan Patron

Children's Bookshelf spoke with Susan Patron about her new novel, Lucky Breaks (Atheneum, Mar.).

Toy Fair: Back to Basics

The number of exhibitors at last week’s New York International Toy Fair was down from years past—less than 30 booths featured publishers or authors, for example, compared to the typical 40 to 45—and traffic was light. Many publishers said they had a productive show, however, noting that attendees were serious about writing orders.

Bloggers Bristle, Scholastic Bends

A motorized toothbrush head has generated a publishing controversy. It started at the New York Toy Fair, when Scholastic’s Klutz division unveiled Invasion of the Bristlebots. Bloggers at the fair noticed that the book failed to credit Lenore Edman and her husband, Windell Oskay, with popularizing and naming the Bristlebot. Immediately, bloggers unleashed a flurry of posts.

Children's Book Reviews: Week of 2/23/2009

Picture Books Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy David Soman and Jacky Davis . Dial , $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8037-3339-8 What's a superhero without a sidekick? Lulu, star of last year's Ladybug Girl, meets her friend Sam at the playground, but before they can join forces, they must first agree on what to play—a sequence handled with understanding and humor.

Kids Heart Authors Day a Success

This past February 14, 172 children’s book authors and illustrators drove as much as two hours each way to read and sign books as part of Kids Heart Authors Day, a literary Valentine to 43 independents booksellers in New England.

Dial Hails the Return of 'Ladybug Girl'

Ladybug Girl evidently spoke to the inner superhero in young readers after this Dial picture book reached store shelves last March. The book spent 22 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold 120,000 copies. In a new follow-up tale, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, this imaginative gal acquires a sidekick.

Q & A with Lisa Yee

Author Lisa Yee, a “mostly cured workaholic,” talked to Children’s Bookshelf about Absolutely Maybe, her first novel for young adults.

Walden Media Moves into Future

Walden Media isn’t letting the dismal economy slow down its growing presence in both the movie and publishing industries. Next month Walden starts filming Beezus and Ramona, and is also developing the third installment of The Chronicles of Narnia and the movie version of Ingrid Law’s Savvy. And in early 2010, Walden and HarperCollins will co-publish the first three titles for a new HC imprint called Walden Pond Press.

Spring 2009 Children's Announcements

Children's Books for Spring: T - Z

TANGLEWOOD PRESS (NBN, dist.) The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies ($15.95) by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illus. by Christa Unzner. Where in children's homes do fairies eat, sleep and play? (4-8) Wolf Camp ($15.95) by Katie McKy, illus. by Bonnie Leick. After attending a mysterious summer camp, Maddie exhibits wolf-like behavior.

Children's Book Reviews: Week of 2/16/2009

Picture Books Sneaky Weasel Hannah Shaw . Knopf , $15.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-375-95625-6 When the eponymous “nasty, measly” antihero of Shaw's authorial debut invites everyone to a party “to boast about his incredible castle, fast car and huge swimming pool,” he discovers that he has made an offer that is very easy to refuse.

Children's Books for Spring: S

SAINT MARY'S PRESS The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers ($26.95, paper $18.95) by Janet Claussen, Pat Finan, Diana Macalintal, et al., is a guide to praying and living the Catholic faith. (10-14) SASQUATCH BOOKS (PGW, dist.) Larry Gets Lost in San Francisco ($16.95) by John Skewes and Michael Mullin, illus.