Friday, April 25, 2008

We love moms. And Roger Sutton. But we love Kadir Nelson most of all.

This week the Today Show and Newsweek have both featured My Beautiful Mommy, a new picture book by plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauser meant to reassure kids about Mommy's tummy tuck or nose job. It might be comforting for children whose mothers opt for cosmetic surgery, but the side effects -- advertising plastic surgery procedures to a new generation and perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards -- unsettle us. For Mom, we'd prescribe a look at Nancy Redd's Body Drama, which encourages young women to "know, own, and love" their bodies -- a message with beneficial properties for any woman. A good choice for little ones is The Mommy Book by Todd Parr. Its accessible text and illustrations show how mommies are different (some drive cars and some ride motorcycles) and how they're alike (they give hugs and kisses). On Mother's Day show your mommy you love her just the way she is. Choose from lots of "mommy books" from our Mother's Day display or make an appointment for a silhouette done by artist Marcella Comerford.

The latest issue of The Horn Book Magazine has just arrived! Catch a starred review of CG staffer Bethany's beloved We Are the Ship, along with Susan Cooper's speech "Unriddling the World: Fantasy and Children," which was originally presented last November at the Cambridge Forum. If you can't get enough of The Horn Book, check out our favorite blogger, Roger Sutton, or sign up for their free email newsletter. In case you hadn't noticed, we definitely can't get enough!

The Children's Book Council's annual Children's Book Week is coming up in just a few weeks, May 12th through 18th. This year, for the first time ever, they're hosting a Children's Choice book award! Kids can go vote for the best book, author, and illustrator of the year. We'd have a hard time choosing a favorite among the nominees, who include Curious George best-sellers Mo Willems (the Pigeon series), Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series), Jennifer Holm (Babymouse series), and Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Roderick Rules).

A reminder: the deadline for our yearly Art and Writing Contest is quickly approaching -- make sure to get your entry in by May 15th by downloading and printing the entry form. The entries we've already received look incredible! Come by our art room to stock up on any supplies you may need for your masterpiece.

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