Previously on Bound: Dirty Kids

In the garden! I know, I know, it may not be true gardening weather yet everywhere, but now might be the time to start reading kid garden books to fan the flames of future interest.

Just out this week is a new Klutz book. Ah, Klutz, How do I love thee? Let me count the books. "Good Growing" comes with two packets of seeds and lots of great Klutz know-how. Can it replace my beloved copy of the original Klutz gardening book? NO! There's room for both, dear Klutz. Won't you please put it back in print? "Ready Set Grow" from DK looks like a smart guide, too.

But maybe you just need some fictional gardens to hang out in? Perennial favorites include (I didn't mean to be punny, really!)



"The Garden of Abdul Gasazi" by Chris Van Allsburg

"Muncha, Muncha, Muncha!" by Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas

"Busy in the Garden" by George Shannon and Sam Williams (poems and riddles!)


"Year at Maple Hill Farm" by Alice and Martin Provensen

"The Carrot Seed" by Ruth Krauss and Crockett Johnson

"Growing Vegetable Soup" by Lois Ehlert

And newcomers that will grow on you for sure:


"The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown

"My Garden" by Kevin Henkes

"To Be Like the Sun" by Susan Marie Swanson and Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Super Secret Squirrel Ninja Book Party TODAY AFTER SCHOOL

Mac Barnett is in town today! YOU, fellow super sleuth, are invited to a sneaky book party, today at 4pm in Ballard.

He's the author of GUESS AGAIN!, BILLY TWITTERS AND HIS WHALE PROBLEM, and the fantabulous middle grade THE BRIXTON BROTHERS BOOK 1: THE CASE OF THE CASE OF THE MISTAKEN IDENTITY (all with art by mega-awesome Adam Rex.)

His picture book with Dan the Man Santat, OH NO!, will be out this summer. OH YES.

Plus Mac's on the board of directors for 826LA, edited "The Rear End" for McSweeney's, likes candy, and started the Echo Park Time Travel Supply Mart.

If that isn't enough of a draw to meet him today at 4:00 pm at Secret Garden Books in Ballard, then please, please, go read one of my favorite 7 Imps interviews with Mac and Adam here.

And watch this great classified video for librarians on Simon & Schuster videos here

And now how can you say nyet?

Mac Barnett at Secret Garden Books
4:00 pm, Thursday, March 18th
2214 Northwest Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107-4024
(206) 789-5006

Drum roll, please. The UW summer class speakers are...........

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JULIE PASCHKIS! and! PAUL SCHMID!

I'm so excited! The class info at the UW site is updated, too!

Happy National Grammar Day!

Can you feel it in your dangling participles? It's National Grammar Day!

A quick post over on Bound to celebrate, but more good times to be had at SPOGG including videos on how to make a Grammartini. Don't get Martha started on food puns, though, or you'll be eating chocolate covered grammar crackers.

Golden Kite Winners Announced!!!

Ohhhh, my favorite award! Check out the full list of winners at SCBWI's blog here.

And because I can't help myself, I want to at least show off the picture book illustration winner and runner up:

2010 Golden Kite Award Winner for Picture Book Illustration is.................

GRACIAS/THANKS illustrated by John Parra



and the Golden Kite Honor Recipient:


BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF BASS REEVES, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL illustrated by R. Gregory Christie


Congratulations, gentlemen! Those are both kickass covers, I must say.