Bestselling novelist, screenwriter and comics writer Neil Gaiman won the Newberry Award for his latest children's book, The Graveyard Book which Neil describes as "The Jungle Book only set in a graveyard." In this interview, Neil talks about how he actually came up with the idea for the book when he was a young father watching his little boy ride his tricycle. There was no room in the house for tricyle riding, so Neil took his son to the nearby graveyard which had some nice pathways. His son rode happily up and down the paths, oblivious to the fact that he was in a graveyard, while Neil's creativity began to percolate.
Neil also talks a bit about his writing process and how he chooses his next project. We love everything Neil writes, from novels to screenplays to children's book and everything in between, and The Graveyard Book is another marvelous, magical and mysterious read, along with The Wolves in the Walls, Coraline and The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish. Take a look:
Google Logo Celebrates Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th Anniversary
Google redesigned their logo as a tribute to the children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary today. In an interview, author Eric Carle says the reason he thinks the book became so popular is that it is a book of hope.
My guess is it's a book of hope. That you, an insignificant, ugly little caterpillar can grow up and eventually unfold your talent, and fly into the world. As a child, you can feel small and helpless and wonder if you'll ever grow up. So that might be part of its success. But those thoughts came afterwards, a kind of psychobabble in retrospect. I didn't start out and say: "I want to make a really meaningful book."
Author Eric Carle also thanked fans on his blog for all of the messages from readers from around the world.
Children's books make terrific gifts. Here are eight new holiday children's books for 2008 that are sure to put a smile on the recipient's face.
Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Schwartz & Wade) - Maya's Christmas poem was first read at the 2005 White House tree-lighting ceremony and it comes alive again with illustrations from Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Margaret K. McElderry) - Bears usually hibernate for Winter but Bear has never seen a Christmas because of his habit of hibernating. With the help of his friends Bear is determined to experience Christmas as he tries to stay awake by wrapping presents and decorating.
Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Barry Root (Harcourt) - This fascinating children's book provides a a lyrical, behind-the-scenes look at the intricate lives of Christmas trees with beautiful watercolor illustrations.
Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett (Putnam Juvenile) - Poor Gingerbread Baby needs to find some friends, but he is having trouble. This is a sequel to Jan Brett's 1999 book The Gingerbread Baby. Gorgeous illustrations and a delightful protagonist make this one a keeper.
A Flake Like Mike by Mike Reiss, illustrated by Chris Capuozzo (HarperCollins) - A shy snowflake named Mike who becomes a hero when he dares to be different. Sold exclusively at Sak's.
The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Brett Helquist (HarperCollins) - This is a story about a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around. We found it absolutely hysterical, and that was before we started in on the spiked eggnog. It contains yet more upsetting words from author Lemony Snicket, who we absolutely adore.
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones (Blue Apple Books) - Snow men, snow women and snow children gather for a special party in this delightful children's book full of wonderful snow people illustrations.
A Very Marley Christmas - John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey (HarperCollins) - Author John Grogan has turned his bestselling Marley & Me story into a Christmas children's book with illustrations from Richard Cowdrey. Poor excited
Marley can't help but cause trouble and make a mess of the Christmas tree and the decorations. In case you've been off the planet for the last few weeks, Marley & Me starring Jennifer
Aniston and Owen Wilson opens in theaters on Christmas Day.
Each Halloween there a new children's picture books released. Nothing captures the magic of Halloween quite like them. Here's a few of this year's releases. The book titles are linked to Amazon.com
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies (Houghton Mifflin) - Join the fun at the public library with these book-loving bats!
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Margaret K. McElderry) - Can Bear overcome his fears?
Bone Soup by Cambria Evans (Houghton Mifflin) - Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth.
Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex (Harcourt Children's Books) - Frankenstein just wants to marry his undead bride in peace but his friends Dracula, the Headless Horseman and Edgar Allan Poe are serious distractions.
Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara (Roaring Brook Press) - At the edge of town lives a clever girl with a spooky problem: Her house is haunted!
The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing (Grosset & Dunlap) - What will happen on Halloween when the monsters come face to face with human trick-or-treaters?
Bob Dylan's first book for kids Forever Young (ginee seo books) will debut on September 23, 2008. The Guardian says the book offers inspiration for children.
"May you always do for others, and let others do for you," Dylan sings in Forever Young. "May you build a ladder to the stars, and climb on every rung." It was never Bob's most subtle work, but despite its greeting-card tone there's still something striking in it. Mostly, it's inspirational. And if there's one group that needs inspiration, it's children.
Then again, they're also the ones most keen to become adults already. Most five-year-olds we know would think it a punishment, not a blessing, to "stay forever young". But then most five-year-olds we know aren't Dylan fans, either.
Bob Dylan's song "Forever Young" first appeared on the 1974 album Planet Waves. The song has been re-imagined by illustrator Paul Rogers in the book and the animated video below.
Here is a fun new tradition you can start in your home.
Elf on the Shelf is a little elf doll that reports directly to Santa Claus.
Kids can tell the elf their Christmas wishes. They may also want to
be on their very best behavior as the Elf on the Shelf has Santa's ear.
Some children also like to name their elf.
Place the little elf around your home during the weeks before Christmas.
During the holidays the elf watches children carefully during the day.
At night when the kids are sleeping the elf magically returns to the North Pole
to report to Santa Claus. In the morning the elf appears in a new place which
offers a daily hide-and-seek ritual for kids. Kids will love trying to locate the
elf's new location each morning.
Elf on the Shelf comes with a 28-page hardcover illustrated book that explains the story
and an 8-inch elf doll. The story is based on on the tradition author Carol
Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s.
Jennifer Garner was recently photographed carrying the Elf on the Shelf book so
little Violet must have an Elf watching him and reporting back to Santa. Be good Violet!
Elf on the Shelf can be purchased from the elfontheshelf.com website for $29.95. There's little time left for the elf to report back to Santa Claus this year but he could be a gift this year and then begin his reporting in December 2008. Amazon.com also carries Elf on the Shelf here.
Google redesigned their logo as a tribute to the children's book 
Bob Dylan's first book for kids 
Here is a fun new tradition you can start in your home.
Elf on the Shelf is a little elf doll that reports directly to Santa Claus.
Kids can tell the elf their Christmas wishes. They may also want to
be on their very best behavior as the Elf on the Shelf has Santa's ear.
Some children also like to name their elf.
