Monday, September 23, 2013

ReaderKidZ Review - The Cart That Carried Martin

Today, I'm really excited because the interview with my buddy Don Tate is live at ReaderKidZ, and he's shared his views and emotions with young readers about illustrating his latest book The Cart That Carried Martin written by Eve Bunting (Charlesbridge, 2013). Click HERE to read the interview.





I'm also participating in Nonfiction Monday. Check out Sally's Bookshelf to read reviews on the latest nonfiction books by kidlit bloggers. Sally is reviewing Best Foot Forward by Ingo Arndt (Holiday House, 2013) and she'll host rounding up many more titles worth checking out before this Monday is through.


The Cart That Carried Martin written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Don Tate (Charlesbridge, 2013). For ages 6-9.

Jacket Flap:

"The cart was old. Nobody wanted it.

There was a faded wooden cart outside Cook's Antiques and Stuff. The store was closed, so two men borrowed it and painted it green. They hitched it to Belle and Ada, the mules chosen to pull it through the streets of Atlanta from the Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College.

It seemed like an ordinary car pulled by ordinary mules. But it wasn't. The cart carried greatness. It carried the body of Martin Luther King Jr. on the day of his funeral."

Bunting and Tate's collaboration bring us the story about the “humble cart that, not so long ago, carried greatness.” It is a poignant tale that pays tribute to the late reverend and how the American people honored Dr. King. Bunting's words are poetically chosen and rich with emotion and Tate's illustrations create light on a very dark day. Young readers will discover the depth of how Martin Luther King Jr. touched the souls of thousands as they turn the pages in The Cart That Carried Martin and the story behind the borrowed cart.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Texas Book Festival 2013 Children's and Young Adult Lineup Revealed

Today is more than just a hump day. Today, the Texas Book Festival revealed their children's and young adult author and illustrator lineup for the two day event on October 26 & 27, 2013. I've got goose bumps trailing up and down my arm as many local Austin SCBWI and Texas authors and illustrators are confirmed.
The full author list, including all genres, can be found by clicking HERE.



Congrats to some of my friends who are featured this year!

Illustrator Don Tate featuring picture book Hope's Gift written by Kelly Starling Lyons (Putnam Juvenille, 2012).

Author Liz Scanlon featuring picture book Happy Birthday, Bunny! illustrated by Stephanie Graegin (Beach Lane Books, 2013)

New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith featuring her latest YA novel Feral Nights (Candelwick, 2013).

P.J. Hoover featuring her debut YA novel Solstice (Tor Teen, 2013).

Brian Yansky featuring his latest YA novel Homicidal Aliens & Other Disappointments (Candelwick, 2013)

Amy Rose Capetta and her debut YA novel Entangled (Hougton Miflin, 2013).

As of press time, here is the list of children's and young adult authors and illustrators provided by the 2013 Texas Book Festival. 

Children’s – Young Adult
Jon Agee, Little Santa
Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan
Mac Barnett and Jon Scieszka, Battle Bunny
John Bemelmans Marciano, Madeline and the Old House in Paris
Sophie Blackall, Ivy & Bean
Monica Brown, Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash
Clark Burbidge, The Prodigals: Giants in the Land
Amy Rose Capetta, Entangled
Alexandra Coutts, Tumble & Fall
Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat
Caprice Crane, Confessions of a Hater
Matt de la Pena, The Living
Tracy Deebs, Doomed
Kristina Ellis, Confessions of a Scholarship Winner: The Secrets That Helped Me Win $500,000 in Free Money for College-How You Can Too!
Brian Floca, Locomotive
Gayle Forman, Just One Year
Kami Garcia, Unbreakable
Xavier Garza, Maximillian and the Bingo Rematch
Adam Gidwitz, The Grimm Conclusion
Marcia Goldman, Lola Goes to Work: A Nine-to-Five Therapy Dog
Karen Harrington, Sure Signs of Crazy
Edward Hemingway, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship  
P.J. Hoover, Solstice
Kate Hosford, Infinity and Me
Gordon Korman, The Hypnotist: Book 1
Jessica Khoury, Origin
Claire Legrand, The Year of Shadows
Cynthia Leitich Smith, Feral Nights
Diana Lopez, Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel
Bennett Madison, September Girls
Yuyi Morales, Niño Wrestles the World
Herman Parish, Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #1: Amelia Bedelia Means Business
Joanna Philbin, Rules of Summer
Aprilynne Pike, Earthbound
James Preller, Scary Tales: Good Night Zombie
Chris Raschka, Daisy Gets Lost
Adam Rex, Moonday
Adam Rubin, Secret Pizza Party
Sergio Ruzzier, Bear and Bee
Leila Sales, This Song Will Save Your Life
Liz Scanlon, Happy Birthday, Bunny!
Bob Shea, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Steve Sheinkin, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery
Neal Shusterman, UnSouled
Lemony Snicket, “When Did You See her Last?” (All the Wrong Questions)
Bob Staake, Bluebird
R.L. Stine, A Midsummer Night’s Scream
Elizabeth Suneby, Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an Education
James Swanson, The President Has Been Shot: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Don Tate (illustrator), Hope’s Gift
Heather Terrell, Relic: The Books of Eva
Duncan Tonatiuh, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale
Jude Watson, The 39 Clues: Unstoppable: Nowhere to Run
Brian Yansky, Homicidal Aliens & Other Disappointments
Gabrielle Zevin, Birthright: In the Age of Love and Chocolate

What a lineup for Texas families to enjoy with their children. Way to go, 2013 Texas Book Festival!