blog awards

what an honor!

~ jama ~ 17 Comments

                             

A few days ago, Janet (formerly known as writer2b) from Findings, awarded alphabet soup the Arte y Pico, which is loosely translated as "Wow! The Best Art. Over the Top!" The award is presented to blogs displaying "creativity and interesting content, which contributes to the blogging community, in any language."

Janet said, "jama rattigan’s alphabet soup is another Poetry Friday acquaintance. She’s a writer of children’s books, a student of music and poetry, and her posts open my eyes to new artists and previously unnoticed features of old favorites."

I am genuinely touched. Thanks so much for the honor, Janet!!
 
    

bears repeating

~ jama ~ 5 Comments

  
        

Here are some random tidbits for your picnic basket:

First, thank you thank you thank you to Tarie of Into the Wardrobe for awarding alphabet soup a 2008 Brilliante Weblog Premio! I am humbled and honored to be mentioned in the same list as Just One More Book, Brooklyn Arden, and Bloomabilities.

Have you read Marjorie Coughlan’s fabulous interview with Jen Robinson over at papertigers.org? Lots of insight and inspiration, with Jen explaining why books, reading, and literacy mean so much to her and what she hopes to accomplish with her fabulous blog, Jen Robinson’s Book Page. I am totally blown away by her commitment and dedication.

Make sure to read this post about writing YA by TadMack at Finding Wonderland. You probably know there is a lot of discussion going on in the kidlit blogosphere right now about the stigma YA literature seems to carry in the publishing world. Many bloggers are responding to a recent New York Times article by Margo Rabb, "I’m Y.A., and I’m O.K.," including LJ’s Little Willow and David Lubar.

Colleen Mondor is rounding up other reactions and opinions at Chasing Ray. She has also designated this week as a time for everyone to post about any issues or concerns they have about children’s and young adult publishing, so check back every day for updates.

Interesting discussion about verse novels in the comments of this recent Poetry Friday post by Sara Lewis Holmes (Read*Write*Believe). I especially liked David Elzey’s comment, written from the POV of a 13-year-old boy. 

Have a great week!

 

hear me ROAR!

~ jama ~ 19 Comments

 

And for the second time only on this blog, Butter my butt and call me a biscuit!

The one and only Barbara O’Connor has awarded me a Roar for Powerful Words award!! 

Imagine that! I don’t collect silver baby cups, allow my dog to chew the legs off gingerbread men, or own any kitschy leg lamps. But Barbara placed me on her esteemed list of bloggers who’ve caught her fancy, including Lisa Yee, Kerry Madden, Cynthia Leitich-Smith, Professor Nana, and Deborah Wiles. That’s some awesome company, I must say.

According to the Shameless Lions Writing Circle (and I do love lions!) — the award was created to acknowledge "those people who have blogs we love, can’t live without, where we think the writing is good and powerful." Each award recipient then presents the award to five other bloggers,"helping to scream from the mountains the good news about the powerful posts that are produced every day in the blogosphere."

Not an easy task, with so many truly excellent, worthy blogs in the kidlitosphere. 

Here are five voices I really love, that, to my knowledge, have not yet received ROARS:  

[info]cynthialord

 — Her blog perfectly balances the personal and the professional, offering encouragement, inspiration, and insight. Cindy’s generous spirit and open heart shine through in every post. And I think her dog, Milo, likes me.

[info]carriejones 

— Unafraid to voice her political convictions while wearing two different shoes in public, Carrie is so wise, yet vulnerable, highly intelligent and irresistibly quirky. I was hooked immediately. Who doesn’t love Tala, the flufferoni?

Minh Le (Bottom Shelf Books) — Picture books with an adult twist. A truly original voice feeding us satire on a skewer. A master of the niche blog. Thanks to him, I finally know why Donald Duck doesn’t wear any pants.

Mary Hershey and Robin LaFevers (Shrinking Violets Promotions) — Teaching introverts like me that there is more than one way to ROAR! 

[info]kellyrfineman 

 — You already know how I feel about Kelly. Lions everywhere may soon be wearing bonnets (or eating them). 

 Congratulations on your ROARS, Cindy, Carrie, Minh, Mary, Robin, and Kelly! Who will you toss a lion to next?