In The News

Following School Library Journal via Twitter revealed some exciting announcements last week.  At the BEA-BookExpo America in New York, the largest publishing event in North America, one of the most anticipated books coming out October 25, 2011 is The Chronicles of Harris Burdick.

Since its publication in 1984 The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris VanAllsburg has intrigued readers of all ages.  The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is to be a collection of short stories based upon the illustrations in the earlier work.  The all-star cast of authors contributing to this book are Sherman Alexis, M. T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King, Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka, Lemony Snicket, and Chris VanAllsburg. 

For years readers of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick have imagined or written their own versions of what those pictures are conveying to them.  The anticipation of reading the interpretations of these authors is way, way over the top!


Every other year IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People)presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children's literature.  For an author and illustrator there is no higher recognition at the international level.

Newly nominated authors and illustrators that are represented in our library media centers are:  United States, Paul Fleischman, author, Chris Raschka, illustrator; Australia, Bob Graham, illustrator; United Kingdom, Philip Pullman, author, John Burningham, illustrator, Ireland, Eoin Colfer, author; Czech Republic, Peter Sis, illustrator, and Canada, Tim Wynne-Jones, author. 

The winners will be announced at the IBBY Press Conference at the Bologna Children's Book Fair on Monday, 19 March 2012.