Unlike the books that made him famous, Don’t Pigeonhole Me: Two Decades of the Mo Willems Sketchbook is not necessarily for small children. According to Disney, this book “reveals the author/illustrator at his most truthful, most experimental, most grown-up. Most Mo.” Sounds awesome! Plus, bonus: It features a foreword by Eric Carle!
Today is a big day for author birthdays! Three very famous children's writers were born on various November 29ths throughout history-- Louisa May Alcott (1832), C.S. Lewis (1898), and Madeleine L'Engle (1918). Those are some big names!
Why not check out a book by one of those big names? Here four by each author to get you started:
If Shel Silverstein was alive today, it would be his 72nd birthday!
Shel(don) Allan Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, IL. He started writing and drawing at the age of 12 and began studying art at the University of Illinois after he graduated high school. He was forced to leave due to bad grades, but moved onto the Art Institute of Chicago after that, and then Roosevelt University after that. He was first published in the Roosevelt Torch, a student newspaper at Roosevelt University.
For much of the 50's and he published military cartoons (he was drafted into the army), magazine articles, and even a cartoon book for adults called "Now Here's My Plan: A Book of Futilities" in 1960. He was also a singer-songwriter, composer, and screenwriter. However, what he is best known for are his children's books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold over 20 million copies.
Today marks the 35th birthday of one of my favorite YA authors, John Green.
In honor the day (as he's one of my favorites), I've decided to compile of list of fun John Green facts that you may or may not already know!
1. He grew up in Orlando, Florida.
2. He currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. However he used to live in New York City, and before that, in Chicago.
3. He graduated from Indian Springs School in Alabama, then got a B.A. from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
4. He has never considered writing a book for adults. YA only!
5. He has a YouTube account, which he and his brother, Hank, collaboratively update pretty frequently. According to his website, since January 2007, the two brothers have made more than 950 videos, which have been viewed more than 235 million times!
6. For several years, he wrote commentaries for Chicago Public Radio and, sometimes, for "All Things Considered" on NPR.
9. He is always working on a novel (although not always a novel that pans out into anything). His typical writing work day starts at 8am and ends at 6pm.
10. He and his friends and fans (partularly his YouTube buddies) have a sort of "group" (Ok, I admit, I can't find the right word for this so "group" will have to suffice) called the Nerdfighters. The Nerdfighters are a sort of active "group" of people who do things like communicate online through YouTube and John's Tumblr. Also, they create videos like the today-appropriate 2009 birthday video below:
Put one of the following
John Green books on hold today:
Today is Read Across America Day and, to celebrate, the cast of the upcoming film, The Lorax (which is out TODAY!), wants to share their love for reading:
National Education Association's Read Across America Day is an annual reading motivation program that brings thousands of kids and teens in schools, libraries, and community centers together with books. Each year, it's celebrated on Dr. Seuss's birthday, and today Dr. Seuss would have been 108!
So, what are you reading today to celebrate?
This year's Read Across America theme is "Read for the Trees." NEA's campaign will showcase The Lorax book as well as the upcoming movie, The Lorax.
Avi (who's name is really Edward Irving Wortis) was born on December 23, 1937, making him 74-years-old today. Avi was born in New York City and grew up in Brooklyn with parents and his twin sister, Emily. He's written more than 70 books for children and young adults and has won both Newbery Honor awards and a Newbery Medal.
Then, in 1986, R. L. Stine released his first horror novel, Blind Date, and that's what started everything. His first Fear Street book, The New Girl, came out three years after that, and Goosebumps started with Welcome To Dead House in 1992.
By now, R. L. Stine is the author of hundreds of creepy, scary, twisted books for children. Celebrate his birthday today, and read one of them!
Happy Birthday to the author of many, many celebrated children's books, Maurice Sendak! He was born on June 10th, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the youngest of three children born to Polish-Jewish immigrants.
Today he turns 83-years-old today.
To celebrate, be sure to check out a few of his more famous works:
And make sure to take a look at this awesome blog inspired by the beloved Where The Wild Things Are, which is arguably his most famous book. It's called Terrible Yellow Eyes and is a collection of works by contributing artists who share a love and admiration for Sendak's work. The pieces presented on this site were done as a tribute to his life and legacy.
Today the author of over 30 books for young adults and children celebrates her 95th birthday!
Celebrate by learning about some of her books, or playing some fun games on her website: http://www.beverlycleary.com/
Or, if you've never read any of her famous and awesome books, put one one hold! Here are a few suggestions (the complete list of her works can be found on her website):
Tickets are availalbe today! Don't miss this FREE full-day event! It's your chance to meet dynamic authors of YA literature such as Rita Williams-Garcia (author of One Crazy Summer), Robert Lipsyte (author of Center Field and The Contender), Tonya Hurley (author of the Ghostgirl series), and many more. This event is open to everyone, but teens get preferred seating. There will be cool giveaways, books for sale, and an autographing session.
The event is at St. Josepht's College campus on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Doors open at 9:30 am.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Kate DiCamillo, happy birthday to you!
Kate DiCamillo was born March 25th, 1964 and is the author of many wonderful books, including the Newbery award winner The Tale of Despereaux. Today she turns 47!
Celebrate by checking out one or two of her more famous books:
Here's a hint... Give up? It's Mo Willems' birthday!
In celebration, why not read one of your favorite books by the award winning author? Here is a complete list of his works: http://pigeonpresents.com/books.aspx
Mark your calendars because the authors of the "39 Clues" books are coming the Barnes & Noble in Huntington Station! At 6:00pm, you'll have your chance to meet four of the award-winning authors: Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Jude Watson, and Peter Lerangis.
Bracelets for the event will be distributed Sunday, May 23rd at 10:00am. For more information, you can contact the store at 631-421-9886.
Newsflash! Lionsgate officially announced, today, that it has acquired the rights to the film version of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins!
Suzanne Collins is at work adapting the screenplay from her novel and Nina Jacobson will be producing the movie, due out in 2011. The announcement was made by Joe Drake, Lionsgate President. (Comingsoon.net)
Get excited by watching Suzanne Collins read part of The Hunger Games below:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 
For much of the 50's and he published military cartoons (he was drafted into the army), magazine articles, and even a cartoon book for adults called "Now Here's My Plan: A Book of Futilities" in 1960. He was also a singer-songwriter, composer, and screenwriter. However, what he is best known for are his children's books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold over 20 million copies.
Today marks the 35th birthday of one of my favorite YA authors, John Green.
Happy Birthday, Avi!
Nothing But The Truth
Happy Birthday, R. L. Stine!
Happy Birthday to the author of many, many celebrated children's books, Maurice Sendak! He was born on June 10th, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the youngest of three children born to Polish-Jewish immigrants.
Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!
Tickets are availalbe today! Don't miss this FREE full-day event! It's your chance to meet dynamic authors of YA literature such as Rita Williams-Garcia (author of One Crazy Summer), Robert Lipsyte (author of Center Field and The Contender), Tonya Hurley (author of the Ghostgirl series), and many more. This event is open to everyone, but teens get preferred seating. There will be cool giveaways, books for sale, and an autographing session.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Kate DiCamillo, happy birthday to you!
Fox In Socks 
Dr. Seuss: Best-Loved Author by Carin T. Ford
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
Are you a Hunger Games fan?
Monday, May 24th!
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