Guys Read: Funny Business--Book Trailer

I have a confession to make: I didn't get the joke. But I love this book trailer! I loved seeing some of my favorite authors in the flesh...er...video, as it were. And I bet young readers will to. Color me pre-ordering.

So you've already read Wimpy Kid......

......like, 3 or 4 or more times--all three books, as well as the on-line comic--and you're looking for something in the same vein. Then let me suggest Knucklehead, Jon Scieszka's autobiography. In this rather slim volume (and one guesses that there was so much more he could have included,) divided into bite-sized chapters just right for reluctant readers, Jon writes of his experience growing up as the second of six brothers. It's worth reading if only for the story of how he and his brother tried to extinguish an electric fire. Just like a real fire. By peeing on it. It's so nice to know that our Ambassador for Young Person's Literature isn't just any old stuffed-shirt. And this seems like a good opportunity to plug his Guys Read site, if you are not already familiar with it.

Jon Scieszka--Children's Ambassador extrodinaire

If the UN can have a goodwill ambassador, then why not children's literature? In a super-cool move, The Library of Congress has appointed Children's Author Jon Scieszka as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. He doesn't have the status of Children's Laureate, a title which is used in the UK. But he will spend the next two years stumping for reading. The LC have made a great choice. His off-beat sense of humor, and his dedication to keep boys reading in particular(check out his Guys Read site) works in his favor. Scieszka understands that an emphasis needs to be placed on reading as much as on books. Not every kid wants to read War and Peace (Yes! I was the exception!) But most kids want to have fun. Scieszka wants to connect kids with fun things to read. All the power to him.

Some Scieszka faves:

Cowboy and Octopus (a NJFK Book of the Week)
The Time Warp Trio series (a great choice for kids looking to move away from Captain Underpants)
Seen Art?
The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Guys Read--What a concept!

I came across this gem while updating my Authors' Websites list. The site, called Guys Read, is moderated by Jon Scieszka. He needs to update it and add Cowboy and Octopus! There's a great list of recommended authors that write what guys want to read. Alright! Makes my job easier.