Month: May 2011

Been checking out more graphic literature

beccakinla graphic literature, kosher, literacy, toon books Leave a comment
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my list of Jewish graphic literature on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/lm/R2IIZNVM2VGGX9/ref=cm_pdp_lm_title_1

As mentioned before, I checked out a bunch of secular graphic literature for the kiddie set from the library recently. Several friends mentioned they are struggling to get their kids excited about reading, and I committed to checking some out to check if they are “kosher” for the consumption of frum kids.

So far, I have found some options. Two titles from Toon Books (Candlewick Press’s new Easy to Read comic line), Zig and Wikki in Something Ate My Homework, and Mo and Jo Fighting Together Forever are clean, nicely illustrated, and silly enough for first through fourth graders. My kids really, really liked them. I should add that my new reader, who usually refuses to do the reading himself, was really motivated to do so with this book. Amazing. He’s virtually begging for me to find more Toon Books at the library.
I enjoyed Patrick Atangan’s The Yellow Jar more myself. However, it’s more sophisticated and definitely tailored for older kids, at least 5th grade.
Still trying to finish the stack from the library. Next up, Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown.

Childhood favorites

beccakinla Nancy Patz, Pumpernickle Tickle and Mean Green Cheese Leave a comment

Do you have any childhood favorites that no one has ever seemed to have heard of? One of my favorite books from my own preschool years is Nancy Patz’s Pumpernickle Tickle and Mean Green Cheese.

Pumpernickel Tickle & Mean Green Cheese
Similar to the classic Don’t Forget the Bacon, a child is sent to the grocery store. He has to remember the list, but can’t seem to do so. Hilarity ensues. It appears this book was republished about ten years ago, and it’s available through Amazon.
Other books from my childhood that no one seems to remember are wonderful youth biographies of the RAMBAN, RAMBAM, and Rav Yosef Caro. They were very inspirational for me (although I was not yet religious), but I can’t find them anywhere. Someone told me they are out of print and I’m very disappointed. The graphic histories published by Rabbi Berel Wein’s Destiny Foundation are lovely, but the books from my childhood were for a younger audience, and shorter.
Does anybody out there have favorite books from their childhood that somehow escaped classic status?

A few recommended Jewish books by Southern California authors and illustrators

beccakinla Ann Stampler, Beth Firestone, California, Marc Lumer, Robert Avrech 1 Comment

While L.A. is best known for the movie business, SoCal is teeming with writers and artists. Here’s a sample of some wonderful books for the Jewish audience by locals.

Ann Stampler is the author of several folktales and parables, including the fabulous, award-winning Rooster Prince of Breslov.
The Rooster Prince of Breslov
See all her titles if you follow this link:
Around here, Marc Lumer is most famous for designing the dancing rabbis that appear on lamp post banners before the Chabad telethon. He’s also an illustrator of children’s books, with new ones forthcoming. Here’s are links to his work.
Beth Firestone was my writing partner in the serial we just wrapped up with Aim! (Ami) Magazine. However, she’s more famous for writing Candles in my Window.


Just down the street from me lives the screenwriter Robert Avrech. He’s also the author of the wonderful RAMBAM graphic history and the novel The Hebrew Kid and the Apache Maiden.
There are many other wonderful local Jewish authors…don’t feel bad if you’ve been left off the list.

Boo-hiss

beccakinla blogger, oops Leave a comment

Blogger was down yesterday and I lost a post highlighting local SoCal authors of Jewish books for kids. I’ll try to piece it back together and put it back up tomorrow.

Do you want your book in a Cheerios box?

beccakinla cheerios, contest, free books, how to write, new author Leave a comment

I know I’m obsessed with the books that appear free in Cheerios boxes. As far as obsessions goes, I guess it’s not a dangerous one. Anyway, here are the details for the contest to get your manuscript published and distributed in the boxes. Follow this link: http://write-jobs.blogspot.com/2011/04/free-contest-cheerios-new-childrens.html

Back from Pesach break

beccakinla free books, graphic literature, how to hug a porcupine, manga 1 Comment

I took a few weeks off due to Pesach (never got around to new songs, drat!) and now I’m back, with a HUGE stack of Manga/graphic lit to read. I’ll publish reviews soon, but I have hardly started reading because I had another writing assignment, B”H. (I’m hoping the editor likes it…)

Also, just wanted to say that there are free books again in the Cheerios boxes we bought post-Pesach. We received _How to Hug a Porcupine_, and it’s absolutely darling.
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