Originally published at readerkidz.com.

Maurice Bernard Sendak
(June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012)

Readerkidz Deb Gonzales says: “Years ago, I directed a large summer arts camp for kids ages 3 to 10, the theme of which was “Let the Rumpus Begin!” For the program finale we performed a play based on Where the Wild Things Are. As costumes, each child–75 of them–had construction paper triangle claws taped to their finger and toe nails. We also taped larger construction paper triangles to the tips of their ears and made Styrofoam fangs. Oh, boy! When it came time for those wild things to roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth it was deafening! Their roars were so wonderful, we had to repeat them a time or two.”

This was Sendak’s genius. He understood, tapped into, and rendered these and so many other childhood emotions perfectly.

Where The Wild Things Are came out before the Beatles made their first US tour and was initially banned by many libraries. My mom eventually read it to my brother and me and I promise I can still remember how it felt to my five year-old self (and still). It made perfect sense and was deeply reassuring, entertaining and true on an emotional level that kids know intuitively better than adults. I was so impressed that Max tamed all those scary, big wild things. That was empowering. I took solace that even after all his mischief, his dinner–still hot–was waiting for him when he came home to “where someone loved him best of all.”

The Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco recently had an excellent exhibit of Sendak’s work and life. He was quoted there as saying that the Wild Things he drew were simply how he remembered his relatives as a young child; large, snaggle-toothed, and scary, fawning over him and threatening to “eat him up.” Of course! Most kids can relate.

The truth of WTWTA is simply a story about a boy whose anger feels unmanageable. And it ends with forgiveness and love. Yet, many adults were threatened mightily by it when it appeared. A few still are.

The really scary truth is that we humans, children and adults, are all wild things.

Adults often think that children’s literature should protect kids’ innocence. While none of us would advocate giving kids inappropriate material for their age, I completely agree with Sendak’s sentiment that “sugar coating” is what ADULTS want, not children. Sendak never sugar-coated. He didn’t (need to) make things more scary than necessary, but he wrote and illustrated the truth in an honest, humorous way that speaks directly to even the youngest kids.

He understood a fundamental truth about children. Art Speigelman quoted Sendak as saying: “ (As a kid) I knew terrible things. But I knew I mustn’t let adults know I knew. It would scare them.”

Readerkidz Nancy Bo Flood, not only a children’s writer but a psychologist, says, “Indeed, (this quote is) so true, whether the truth is about family discord, alcoholism, abuse…the child always knows and they do try to protect the people they love.”

[Nancy also said, “To read the so many beautiful tributes to Sendak…has been both an inspiration and so deeply satisfying. Books do make an important difference.” Great books make a great difference.]

We’ll close with what Sendak told Terry Gross on FRESH AIR in a terrific 2011 interview, because it’s quintessential, and it made me snort coffee out my nose.

A little boy… sent me a charming card with a little drawing. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, “Jim loved your card so much he ate it.” That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.”

Originally published at readerkidz.com.

Writing is fulfilling and soul-feeding – but it’s also just plain hard.  Each time I sit down to write, I feel I am leaping off a cliff only to land in a murky current of self-doubt:  Why do I think I can do this? And why does it take so LONG?! It’s daunting!  The sheer amount of writing required to create one damn good paragraph is unbelievable, unless you write.  Annie Dillard, the author of The Writing Life, states, “How appalled I was to discover that, in order to write so much as a sonnet, you need a warehouse.” Because soon as a writer you will be surrounded by piles, drawers, files and indeed, a warehouse of drafts, revisions, notes, sketches, ramblings….your writings! Annie’s book often gives me comfort – and courage.

As writers we have to jump off that cliff over and over again, but we don’t have to drown in the muddy bottom of it. The Writing Life is one of my life jackets.  Annie describes all the ways I dodge writing time.  She does all the crazy procrastinating things I do, including trimming her nails, staring out the window, or at the wall, and checking on the grocery list.  She hits me in the gut with truth and then she makes me laugh.  Okay, maybe I’m not such a weirdo.

As writers we create many books.  Many never get written.  Many are thrown away.   How does it happen? Annie says,  “You lay your pages out…and pace out the work…After you have taken an exceedingly dull nine-mile hike…you go home and soak your feet.”

After ten years of writing work, my YA novel, Warriors in the Crossfire, is a “real book,” alive and well, the recipient of several wonderful awards.  My newest novel, No-Name Baby, which took half the time, only five years to write, is out.  Each time a child or adult writes to me to say “my book made a difference,” then I am ready to jump off that cliff again, sit in front of a blank page or a warehouse of chapters, and write.

-Nancy Bo Flood

by Nancy Bo Flood

Hans Christian Andersen, yes, we love the stories he gave us. Their universal themes of compassion and tolerance are as relevant today as ever.   In his honor, the highest international recognition given to authors and illustrators of children’s books are the Hans Christian Andersen Awards.

IBBY presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature.  Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the Patron of the Andersen Awards. A gold medal is presented to the winners at the biennial IBBY World Congress.

One award is given to an illustrator; a second award is given to an author.

And this year the illustrator award goes to:

Peter Sis, from the Czech Republic, and also celebrated in the United States because of his amazing work published here. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain shows in words and images his own struggle to express his ideas. Tibet: Through the Red Box shows the reader how a child feels when his film-maker father fails to return from an assignment in China. Peter Sis’s own father was a filmmaker bringing back rock-and-roll records that Peter loved. As a disc jockey, Peter traveled with the Beach Boys during their tour across his homeland.  The Communist regime cancelled the show soon after.  This same regime decided to boycott the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 where Sis had been sent to film documents for the Olympic Steering Committee.  Peter Sis made the courageous decision to stay in the US. Maurice Sendak was soon a friend who helped Peter become a children’s book illustrator. It is interesting to note that in 1970 Maurice Sendak was the first, and only, American illustrator to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award.  Now, after several decades and over 65 illustrated books later, this award is given to Peter Sis who continues to express in his books his strong belief that whatever the outside forces are that oppress us, dreams can survive.

And this year the author award goes to:

Maria Teresa Andruetto from Argentina.   While her books are not widely known in this country, her belief that “The power of a writer lies in his capacity… to look deep into the heart of men” resonates anywhere in the world.

Paul Fleischman, from the United States, was one of the five finalists for this year’s award. Fleischman is best known for his 1989 Newbery Medal-winning, Joyful Noise: Poems For Two Voices. The music in his writing permeates not only his poetry but also his novels, short stories and nonfiction.  Rhythm, sound, repetition, and content all are important. The characters in his stories grow in awareness and compassion and engage the reader to do the same.

Other authors from the United States who have received the Hans Christian Andersen Award are:  Katherine Paterson (1998), Virginia Hamilton (1992), Paula Fox (1978), Scott O’Dell (1972) and Meindert DeJong (1962)

Originally published by The Pirate Tree.

Now Available. A New Book by Nancy Bo Flood: No-Name Baby

The Great War, like all wars, left wounds that rippled through communities and families, sometimes in unexpected ways. To survive World War I, Sophie’s family did the best they knew, the best they could, even if it meant burying family secrets. And then, life changed.

Sophie remembered last night’s dream and the gray stones-a whole row of them like the ones under the trees. Each stone was etched with letters that she couldn’t quite read.

No-Name Baby is an intimate portrait of a young girl as she discovers the truth about herself and her family.

Early reviews:

Kirkus Reviews:

“How does an almost-14-year-old girl handle the tragedy of her mother’s giving birth to one doomed preemie after another? … The rural, post–World War I setting is evocatively evoked, and strong character development drives the quiet plot toward a believable conclusion. With its authentic depiction of the hardships of early-20th-century life and well-rounded characters, this is an … ultimately optimistic tale of the strength of the human spirit.”

School Library Journal:

“Fully fleshed out characters interact realistically as Sophie is flanked by the support of her caring, respectful grandmother and loving father… the emotional drama will keep them [readers] turning pages to the poignant resolution.”

Arlena Dean, Arlena’s Book Reviews:

The author really brings out the characters with all of the work..doing chores, watching the baby, dealing with that Aunt Rae,seeing if her mom, Nonna, and her dad needed anything and then there was the boy (Karl) next door. And then the big incident in the Orchard… What had happened between Sophia and her aunt Rae? This is where you will have to pick up this good read to find out just what is going on.

There was the Family Bible that held everything that Sophia needed to know about her family… but where was her name? Was she a bastard child? Just who was her mother? After much explanation being given …everything comes out and this secret unfolds.

“No-Name Baby” was indeed a wonderful story how Sophia was able to finally understand the situation of just what had gone on in her life. Sophia was very mature young lady and all I can say is …. Wow! .. what a story! Sophia now knew the secret about her family.

I would definitely recommend this as a good for a YA read.

Rosi Hollinbeck, The Write Stuff, April 29, 2012

“This bucolic story, framed by the ravages of World War I and conflicts that can only be found in a family, has lovely texture, compelling characters, and polished writing.”

Joyce Moyer Hostetter, The 3 R’s, April 30, 2012

“Mama’s sister, Aunt Rae, who has just arrived from Chicago, seems intent on making life miserable for Sophie. Their relationship has always been bristly but when Mama goes into labor prematurely the tension between Sophie and her aunt increases.  Nonna (the grandmother who lives with Mama, Papa and Sophie.) safely delivers the baby but there are enough setbacks to crank up the stress level for both the reader and for the household.”

Hazel Rochman, Booklist, May 2012

“Sophie discovers family secrets that shake up her whole world, and once they are revealed, teens will want to go back to the beginning and reread the story with a new view. The spare beautiful prose will keep readers hooked, as will the drama of a loving family.”

Every child needs to see their own people and their own experiences in the books they read: yet in the United States less that 5% of children’s books published are written by or about Native Americans.

All young people need books that describe contemporary children who are Native American, not just historical accounts as though Indian children lived “past tense”, only a long time ago. The following books have “real” characters and engaging stories that include traditional celebrations continued in contemporary ways – with food, family, dance.

Read the full post at PaperTigers.org

Warriors in the Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood

Young Adult Historical Novel · ISBN #1590786610

Warriors in the Crossfire looks at one boy’s experience of impending war – war fought by two nations, Japan and the U.S. – on the Pacific island of Saipan. The island’s families are caught in the crossfire of invasion. In order to survive, Joseph, the main character, must find a new understanding of being a warrior.

This novel provides a historical perspective on American involvement in the Pacific front during WWII, an aspect of American history seldom represented in children’s literature.

Warriors addresses important themes regarding survival of heart and spirit when family and culture are under attack. The novel is created through narrative but also includes verse and kanji, Japanese elements of writing.

Reviews

Quote by Ellen Levine, award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books for children, including: Catch a Tiger By the Toe, a Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, and Henry’s Freedom Box, a Caldecott honor book:

“Nancy Bo Flood reveals for us a world rarely spotlighted – the “other side” of the story of the World War II battle for Saipan. She tells a riveting tale, never skirting tough issues of mixed loyalties, if and when to ignore authority, and family ties that bind or don’t. This is history that is gripping, enlightening and engaging.”

Quote by author Janet Fox, when asked what books she is an evangelist for:

“…Nancy Bo Flood’s Warriors in the Crossfire – the cover does not express what is going on inside that magnificent little book.”

New review from youngest reader: 6-year old Liam Weil met with me in Hawaii to say:

“I read all of Warriors in the Crossfire and the best part was when the family was safe in the caves. Some parts were scary.”

Liam’s grandmother, the late Nancy Weil, who fought long and hard against cancer, was the first person to read the rough first pages of Warriors and encourage me to keep writing. “This story needs to be told,” she nodded. Fifteen years later her grandson is reading those same pages.

Nancy Bo Flood will be part of a Special Interest Group: Literacy and Social Responsibility, at the 55th annual International Reading Association (IRA) Convention in Chicago on Monday, April 26, 2010. 3-5:45pm.

Nancy will focus on the need for Native American children to see themselves accurately and not as sterotypes in contemporary books for kids.

Nancy Bo Flood wil be working with Navajo students at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Salina Bookshelf · ISBN #1893354970

The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built by Nancy Bo Flood is scheduled to be released in 2012.

This children’s picture book tells the story of one multigenerational Navajo family that works, plays, eats, sleeps and shares their lives together in around their family hogan.

It is a charming story of how the youngest children’s lives are intrinsically linked to their home and family.

Illustrations by Petersen Yazzie, Navajo Artist

Pre-Order