Book Chat Thursday: January 2011

WELCOME

WELCOME! For the last 17 years, about once a month, usually on a Thursday evening, a group of writers, illustrators, teachers and librarians meets in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles to discuss children's books. Lately we have started meeting at lunch time, once every three months. Usually we talk about one picture book and one middle grade or YA novel. After the meeting, Sandy Schuckett, a retired LAUSD librarian, summarizes our discussion. Here are her reports of our thoughts about the books we have read. We'd love to have your comments too!
Thanks to Nancy Hayashi for our wonderful title art! NOTE: We are changing to a new schedule. Our meetings will now be quarterly and during the afternoon. Our group has been meeting since 2007. It was organized under the auspices of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California (CLCSC).

Thursday, January 13, 2011

ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia and BOSS BABY by Marla Frazee

We enjoyed our meeting last nite at Amy's colorful and art/book-filled house, and after seeing her bomb shelter from the 50s (which was there when she bought the house) we had lively discussions on both books.
All agreed that One Crazy Summer was a story that had to be told, although there were differing opinions regarding specific scenes in the book and specific characters. All agreed that it was well-written.
We all agreed that Boss Baby was more for new parents than for young children, but we thought it was quite funny and 'right on the money' as far as new babies are concerned.