Tuesday, October 25, 2011

High of the Day

My family does highs and lows each day.  Last night, I was happy to report my high of the day.  My Book trailer for The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z had this comment written after it on my YouTube channel:

"Wow!! This is seriously one of the coolest book trailers I've ever seen. It really made me smile. Thank you, Anna!"

~Kate Messner, author of THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.

How cool is that!!??!!

If you have not yet read The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z., I highly recommend it.  It was a great book!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Wonderstruck--That's Me!

Me and Brian Selznick
If it is possible to like Wondersruck even more than I did when I first read it--I now do.  Tonight I went to see Brian Selznick with my friends and coworkers Laura and Rozzie.  Thanks Laura for the tickets!

I loved the book when I read it yesterday (while thick it only took about 2 hours!)  After hearing Selznick do a reading from the start of the book and talk about his writing process the complexity of the novel made me appreciate it even more.  I loved seeing how he put together words and pictures.  I got the chance to ask a question (thrills!) and asked which he did first--the pictures or the words.  Selznick told us that he first made a narrative and then drew sketches and then later decided how they would best fit together.  He showed a clip from the upcoming film of Hugo Caberet which I didn't even know was coming out (where have I been?!) 

Wonderstruck took three years to create--and every bit of effort shows in the final product!  I was especially facinated that the idea for the book stemmed from a ducumentary he saw on the deaf.  I was intrigued to learn that he created a deaf character in Wonderstruck because after Hugo Caberet was published many people told him that the images seemed quiet or silent to them, and he wanted to encorporate that feel into a part of the story--so that we as readers felt like the character.  I felt this as a reader in Wonderstruck--genious.

As I stood in line to get my picture taken and my books signed--one might say I was "wonderstruck."  Selznick had a great sense of humor, he spoke well, and he is a writer I greatly admire.  What a fun Sunday night!

Rozzie and Selznick
Laura and B. Selznick
**Addition to post:  (Monday) 
I stopped at Barnes and Noble to get a few books on my way home tonight.  I knew that Brian Selznick was speaking there this evening--but I thought I was too late to see if his presentation was any different.  As I was looking through the children's section, I saw him looking at a stack of his books that he had just signed.  I was trying very hard not to spy.  As he was shopping and looking for some books he asked the clerk what the predecessor to "Ok for Now" was.  She didn't know--so I gave a shout out to "Wednesday Wars"--which he then bought (I would have told any customer this information).  On my way out, he was in the line area near me, and I told him that I had  enjoyed his presentation last night--and that I was buying one more copy of "Wonderstruck."  He then asked if I wanted it personalized--so the Brimhall kids got a second signed copy.  Yeah!

Is this how other people feel about movie stars and athletes?!  I get this excited every time I meet an author or illustrator--Yeah for creative people!

Friday, October 14, 2011

It's a Book Fair!

Wow!  What a week..... I chaired my first Book Fair....and I am exhausted! I know that all 700+ students were in here at least once this week, and it seems as though most of their parents have been as well.  Our school sold a lot of books, which is great for the library.  On Day One my excitement was as high as the kids--today...it is slowly fading.  I bought a ton for the library. My stack of books to read is rapidly growing--I can't wait to read The Chronicles of Harris Burdick.  (Which I found out is not being released in stores until October 25th--but was sold at our book fair!)  It looks awesome.  


My little girl F. came to buy some books last night, and then she stayed to help me close down.  As I peeked into her room before I went to bed this is what I saw.   F. sleeping with one of her new books beside her.


If all of our students felt this excited about their new books--all the hard work was totally worth it.  Cheers for new books!



Monday, October 10, 2011

I Love My Job!

Not only do I get to be with books and kids all day...after school, one of my first graders stopped by...just because she felt like she needed a hug from me. Does life get any better?!

Online Bookfair

Order books online, and have them delivered to school.  Books at great prices, and you support our school library!



http://onlinebookfairs.scholastic.com/default.aspx?f=2852587