The coming week’s bookish radio delights to listen out for include:
“In this series of five essays, contemporary children’s authors and editors each look at a fictional family from children’s literature. They use it as a focal point to explore the changing portrayal of the family in children’s books, and consider both what it tells us about the society it reflects, and how relevant it is to determining a young generation’s attitudes to the future.”
- Monday – Anthony Horowitz explores family dysfunction through Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
- Tuesday – Anne Fine gives a feminist view of the nostalgia for our favourite childhood books.
- Wednesday – Trish Cooke explores the importance of children’s books reflecting different cultures.
- Thursday – Julia Eccleshare discusses Jacqueline Wilson’s thoroughly modern fairytales.
- Friday – Michael Rosen considers the changing role of the family in children’s literature.
As to highlights from the rest of the children’s literature world, I have to share these two items with you:
“Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.
“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” is one of five animated short films that will be considered for outstanding film achievements of 2011 in the 84th Academy Awards ®.”
And now for another way to share the love of books and illustration…
Save the Children (USA) has teamed up with five wonderful children’s book authors and illustrators to create a series of valentines cards which you can buy by making a donation to the charity.
There are cards by Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!), Kevin Henkes (Kitten’s First Full Moon), Ian Falconer (Olivia!), Leuyen Pham (Freckleface Strawberry) and Brian Selznick (Wonderstruck), and in return for a minimum donation of $25, you will receive a set of 30 limited-edition Valentine’s Day Cards (6 cards of each design).
Click here to find out more about Save the Children’s valentine’s day cards.
Becky from babybudgeting
Oh my goodness Morris made me cry. My wonderful Uncle harold worte book reviews for the Telegraph. His world was books. This made me think of him. Beautiful. Thanks Zoe
Zoe
Hope they were good memories Becky! It’s a lovely film, and I’m very keen to see how it does at the oscars.