It’s Your Birthday, Charlie Brown!

Cartoonist Charles Schulz was born on this day in 1922.

The creator of Charlie Brown and the beloved Peanuts gang, Writer’s Almanac tells us that Schulz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota where, in many ways, he was a real life Charlie Brown:

Every Sunday, Schulz and his father read the "funny pages" together, and the boy hoped to become a cartoonist someday. But he had a tough time in school -

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/26/12

Jen and Kellee host a weekly meme called "What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA." It encourages you to share what you read during the previous week and to plan what you're going to read/review during the current week. Thank you, Kellee and Jen, for hosting this fun meme. 

Snowboy 1,2,3. Written by Joe Wahman. Illustrated by Wendy Wahman. Henry Holt, 2012. Interest level: Ages 3 and up. 

Here are three reasons I'll share this picture book with folks looking for counting/winter books: 

1. It counts up to ten and then back to one. 

2. I think young readers will enjoy the cheerful and colorful snowpeople. 

3. You could ask young readers to make up number stories about the animals they encounter throughout the story. 

*Note: Snowboy 1,2,3 is probably best in a small-group or one-on-one setting. 

Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story. Written and illustrated by Salina Yoon. Walter and Company, 2012. Interest level: Preschool - 1st Grade 

I've wanted to read Penguin and Pinecone ever since I watched its adorable book trailer. Did it live up to my expectations? Absolutely!

When will I recommend it? 

1. Are you looking for the perfect picture book to discuss an unlikely friendship? 

2. Did you recently tell me you're looking for a picture book in which a character says, "Knit one, purl two"? 

3. Do you want to show kids that "when you give love...it grows"? 

I re-read every book on the Sharp-Schu Mock Caldecott list. 

M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton 

The Joe and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship

Award-winning author-illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka started the Joe and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship at the Worcester Art Museum to provide tuition to underprivileged children. You can support Jarrett's scholarship by calling the Worcester Art Museum at 508.799.5506. 

Jarrett posted on his blog that starting tomorrow you can bid on the following items. 

-Original art from Jarrett's impending chapter book debut, Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked, along with an autographed advanced copy!

- A one-on-one phone conversation with Jarrett on breaking into children's publishing!

- Your kid's likeness drawn into the 10th and final Lunch Lady graphic novel! (Jarrett, did I read that correctly? THE FINAL LUNCH LADY??? - Mr. Schu) 

- Jarrett will design YOUR holiday card as a four page mini-comic and you get to keep the original art!

- A tour of the SiriusXM's Kids Place Live Studios as well as an on-air experience with Mindy from The Absolutely Mindy Show

Please visit Jarrett's website to learn more about the  Joe and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship