Joe McKendry Author Events!

Attention fans of beautifully illustrated children's books! Joe McKendry, author and illustrator of One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World, has several author events coming up over the next week. If you live in or near New York or Massachusetts, you won't want to miss out on your chance to meet this award-winning artist.

• Saturday, December 1st: Books of Wonder, New York, NY, 12-2 pm. Joe and seven other talented authors and artists will discuss their middle-grade books, take questions from the audience, and sign copies of their books. A free event; more information here.
• Saturday, December 1st: Museum of the City of New York, NYC, 3-4:30 pm. Joe will discuss his artistic process and sign copies of the book. A free event; more information here.
• Monday, December 3rd: Porter Square Books, Boston, MA, 7 pm. Joe will discuss his artistic process and sign copies of the book. A free event; more information here.
• Friday, December 7th: Back Pages Books, Waltham, MA, 7 pm. Joe will discuss his artistic process and sign copies of the book. A free event; more information here.

 We hope to see you there!

Superior Person's Word of the Week!

Yirn v. To whine; to pout, or show petulance by facial grimaces. Pronounced the same as yearn. “My husband is an idealist; he’s always yirning for something.”

Little kids are notorious for yirning when they want their parents to give them sweets.

Each Tuesday (for the most part...), we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. Yirn appears in the First.

Boston Book Festival Wrap Up

Last month, David R. Godine, Publisher, attended the Boston Book Festival and had a fantastic time meeting readers, selling books, and soaking in the literary atmosphere. Here is a recap of the day's events from our interns, Lauren and Ryan.

While we loved the bustling crowds at the Brooklyn Book Festival in September, we felt more at home in Copley Square at the Boston Book Festival. The smaller venue allowed for a more intimate exchange with our customers, fellow book-lovers, and avid readers alike. The Boston Book Festival goers were book-enthusiasts. They admired, read, and bought our books, even as we were packing up the booth at the end of the day.

Each year the Boston Book Festival sends young readers on a “Passport to Imagination” adventure and we were lucky enough to be apart of the magic. The children picked up a passport at the BBF tent and traveled through Copley Square searching for stamps. When the participating children came to our booth, we read an excerpt from Catie Copley, which is the story of the real-life black Labrador that is a member of the guest services team at the storied Fairmont Copley Plaza. Catie was scheduled to be away for the weekend, but she made it back early and stopped by our booth in the afternoon. It was a delightful encounter that only solidified Catie’s claim to being the Copley’s totem of hospitality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Catie Copley and Catie Copley's Great Escape were our biggest sellers of the day.

(l-r) Kristin, Lauren, and Ryan awaiting readers at the start of the Book Festival. [Ed. note: We did not stand in height order intentionally...]

When attending a book fair, one does not generally anticipate many unexpected events or noteworthy high jinx, but rather expects a more discerning and subtle affair. Yet, the 2012 Boston Book Festival managed to be both at once. For instance, how often do you get to watch a man dressed as a sandwich interact with members of the public? And, as a result of said interaction, receive a tasteful t-shirt? I would say seldom, if not often enough. The intrigue deepens - what does a seven foot tall fully articulate Sasquatch (and/or wood ape) mannequin have to do with a foam rubber suit Curious George? On a good day I hope very little, but at the Boston Book Festival, patrons had the opportunity to meet both. We also had a very convincing elf stop by our booth.

Point being, aside from perusing publishers and their wares, engaging in enthused conversations about literary personalities, obtaining varying degrees of swag, and attending free lectures, a book festival – and the Boston Book Festival in particular – is well worth attending. Even if you come simply for the books, you’ll find yourself staying for the manifestations of the literary community.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, and an even bigger thank you to those who bought a book or two (or more!). We had a great time meeting and talking to all of you. Till next year…

If you saw something you liked but didn’t get a chance to buy it during the Festival, you can buy any of our books at Godine.com. And for a limited time you can receive up to 3 free books with your order!

Superior Person's Tuesday!

It's Thanksgiving week, so here is a superior word that is Turkey Day worthy:

Pantophagy n. Omnivorousness, i.e., eating anything and everything. "Sorry to have to say this about my brother, but I should let you know about him if you're really thinking of inviting him into your house. The fact is he's . . . er, well . . . I'm ashamed to say this but I suppose I have to . . . he's pantophagous."

The one time of year pantophagy is celebrated. Happy Thanksgiving!

Each Tuesday, we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. Pantophagy appears in the Second.

Joe McKendry at the NYT Best Illustrated Awards

Earlier this week, the 2012 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book winners gathered in New York at the Times headquarters to celebrate their honors. Joe McKendry was in attendance to accept his award for One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World and he's shared a few pictures with us. Congratulations again, Joe, and to all of this year's winners!

Here's a few words from Joe about the event:

On Monday, Nov. 13th I attended the awards ceremony for the "Best Illustrated Books 2012" as chosen by The New York Times. It was a fun event and a great opportunity to meet some other fantastic illustrators. Illustrators are usually holed up in our studios working, so getting the chance to meet Albertine, illustrator of Little Bird, Henry Cole, author and illustrator of Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad, Oliver Jeffers, author and illustrator of The Hueys in the New Sweater, and Chris Raschka, this year's Caldecott winner for A Ball for Daisy, was a real treat. All in all it was a great time, attended by a group of really interesting people. 

Joe McKendry, left, with Henry Cole, author and illustrator of Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad.

Joe McKendry, far left, with the group.

And don't forget, you have until the end of the day tomorrow, November 16th, to enter our One Times Square giveaway! You can enter on the blog by commenting on the original post or by emailing info@godine.com. Details and original post can be found here.

Three Chances to Catch Ernest Hebert

Ernest Hebert, author of Never Back Down, is making the rounds across New England this week. If you've never seen him speak in public we highly recommend attending one of these events - or perhaps even all three!

• Thursday, November 15th: Hancock, NH, Town Library, 7 pm. Free and open to all. Ernie will read from Never Back Down and talk about the book. More information here.
• Friday, November 16th: Author's Night at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, VT. Ernie, along with authors Howard Coffin and Katharine Fisher Britton, will discuss their writing, process, and read from their books at a wine and cheese event to benefit the library. 5:30pm-8:00pm, $35 per person. More information here. 
• Saturday, November 17th: Ernie will read from and sign copies of Never Back Down at Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls, VT. The event starts at 4 pm and is free. More information here.

Superior Person's Tuesday!

Aichmophobia n. Extreme fear of the sight of any sharp-pointed instrument, whether a needle, a nail, a thorn, a spike, etc. James I of England suffered from this phobia, and could not endure the appearance of a drawn sword.

Due to his acute aichmophobia, dentist appointments are a bit of an ordeal for Henry.

Each Tuesday, we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. Aichmophobia appears in the Third.

One Times Square Giveaway!

We just recently surpassed 600 "likes" on our David R. Godine, Publisher, Facebook page, so we wanted to thank all of our wonderful readers by offering a book giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a free copy of One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World by Joe McKendry. You may have noticed that One Times Square has been getting a lot of attention lately - so far this year, it has been selected to the Society of Illustrators' "The Original Art 2012", named one of The New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2012, and been chosen as one of Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Nonfiction Books of 2012! It is a beautiful book that tells the story, through words and pictures, of the history of Times Square. The New York Times called it "a handsome and highly readable book, one that will be pored over cover to cover by young New Yorkers, real and aspiring."

To enter, all you have to do is tell us, in 20 words or less, why you love Godine books. There are two ways to enter:

--By commenting on this post (but be sure to include your email address), or
--By sending an email to info@godine.com. Be sure to mention this contest in the subject line.

We'll select one entry at random and will notify the winner through email. The contest will end on Friday, November 16th, so make sure to get your entries in before then!

One Times Square Named One of Publishers Weekly's Best of 2012!

It's another day and another award for One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World by Joe McKendry. The book, which has already been selected to the Society of Illustrators' "The Original Art 2012" and named one of The New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2012, was just named one of Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Nonfiction Books of 2012!

Congratulations, Joe, on this tremendous honor!

You can buy a copy of One Times Square on our website or at a retailer near you. 

Superior Person's Tuesday!

In honor of Election Day. . .

Roturier n. Someone without any rank or status in society. A peasant, a plebeian, a day-labourer, a schoolteacher, or a civil servant.

Make sure to vote today! Be heard, roturiers!

Each Tuesday, we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. Routurier appears in the Third.

Review Round-Up

Here at David R. Godine, Publisher, we strive to produce high quality books above all else. So, when our books and authors are praised, we hope you'll forgive us for acting like proud parents. Please join us in celebrating the recent success of a few of our talented authors.

The Washington Post called Rosemary Verey, by Barbara Paul Robinson, an “irresistible biography of horticultural sage.” Michael Dirda, author of the article, was drawn to the book by the lush and “ravishingly gorgeous” cover.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

As [Verey] once told another gardener: “We don’t do things because they’re labor-saving or low-maintenance or because they’re horticulturally correct. We do them because they’re pretty.” And very pretty, too, is this neatly designed book from the publisher David Godine. Robinson, a New York lawyer by day and a gardener by avocation, writes not just clearly but also affectionately about her beloved, influential and rather spiky subject.

Continue reading the article here and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Rosemary Verey today!

Black Sparrow author Naomi Replansky was profiled in The Jewish Daily Forward and HuffPost Books for her recently published Collected Poems. Replansky is a poet whose verse combines the compression of Emily Dickenson, the passion of Anna Akhmatova, and the music of W.H. Auden. Both articles highlight Replansky’s life-long journey as a poet.

Here is an extract from the HuffPost Books article:

She started writing at ten; riding "surges of feeling," she disciplined by 15 with a poetic craft beyond her years, forging a plain-spoken, yet highly allusive, style from a stew of influences that included William Blake, black spirituals, Latin American Surrealism and Mother Goose. She pulled in the socialist ideals nurtured by a childhood of working-class poverty, in the secular, Jewish home of immigrant parents. Born months before the end of World War I, long before any formal gay consciousness, she became boldly self-liberated, writing poems to a girl she fell in love with in high school.

You can read the rest of the HuffPost article here and the entire Jewish Daily Forward article here. Add a copy of Replansky’s Collected Poems to your bookshelf today!

The Buffalo News highlighted Jane Marinsky, author and illustrator of Just Perfect, for her whimsical new picture book that combines the story of wanting a new pet and welcoming a new baby into the family.

Here is a passage from the article:

Particularly delightful is the octopus, who "made a mess of everything." A bright orange giant octopus, its tentacles waving and stirring what might be chocolate pudding, wreaks havoc in the kitchen – milk spilled, eggs broken, a pot boiling over, the sink overflowing. […] Right down to the charming ending, this book is a delight, "Just Perfect" in every way.

Continue reading the article here and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Just Perfect today!


Congratulations to Barbara Paul Robinson, Naomi Replansky, and Jane Marinsky!

One Times Square: A NYT Best Illustrated Children's Book 2012!

We couldn't be more excited to confirm that One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World by Joe McKendry has been selected as one of The New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2012! Although the official press release and article have not yet been released, Pamela Paul from the Times tweeted the news yesterday. Edited to add: The article is now available online here.

Best Illustrated 2012 Winner: “One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World,” by Joe McKendry (David R. Godine)
— Pamela Paul (@PamelaPaulNYT) November 1, 2012

Please join us in congratulating Joe McKendry on this fantastic accomplishment! The full list of winners is currently available on The Horn Book's website.

You can purchase a copy of One Times Square on our website or at a bookstore near you.