KIDSREAD

A recent visit to San Diego gave me the opportunity to visit 3 children's book author/illustrators: Kathleen Krull, Janell Cannon, & David Diaz.  ALL IN ONE DAY, too!!  What a whirlwind day it was but exhillarating.

Kathy Krull lives near La Jolla in a "normal neighborhood, normal house".  One would think the esteemed author of numerous biographies for children should live in a palatial mansion and while not a mansion, it is indeed interesting.  Lots of art & collections cover the walls & shelves & I always breathe a sigh of relief to see someone else who collects so many odd things as I do. Kathy happily autographed the books I had brought along & showed me the galley for the new book she has written with her husband about an unusual vaudeville entertainer in France.

My favorite book of Kathy Krull's was HARVESTING HOPE:  THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ. which I have used in recent years to introduce students to the many accomplishments of C. Chavez.  Most AZ kids don't know he was born in Yuma & will soon have a state holiday named for him. Now my favorite title of hers is POCAHONTAS:  PRINCESS OF THE NEW WORLD beautifully illustrated by David Diaz.  While the reading levels might be high (4th-5th grade) on Kathy's books, the text is written very friendly--like you are talking to her.  Her biography about Dr. Seuss is one of the best:  THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET:  HOW TED GEISEL GREW UP TO BECOME DR. SEUSS.  And, while most of us think Hillary Clinton is the first woman to run for president, if you read A WOMAN FOR PRESIDENT:  THE STORY OF VICTORIA WOODHULL, you'll get set straight.

David Diaz also lives in a regular house in a regular neighborhood but his collections set his home apart also.  With many many groups of a brillant orange glass he collects all over the house, you can't help but get in a sunny mood upon entering.  His distinctive art style won him the prestigous Caldecott Medal for SMOKY NIGHT by Eve Bunting in 1995 & he continues to illustrate numerous books each year.   He has illustrated two other Eve Bunting books--a very prolific author--DECEMBER and GOING HOME, both with latino themes.  My favorite book of David Diaz's has been FELIZ NAVIDAD by Jose Feliciano but I love Christmas books & Christmas art from children's books.  I'm happy to say I will soon be the proud owner of a piece of original art from this book--as soon as David locates it & I send a check!  A new one he illustrated for author Sarah Weeks is COUNTING OVEJAS for the very young & just beautifully done--Spanish words sprinkled thoughout.

Another important book illustrated by David Diaz is THE POT THAT JUAN BUILT about the Mexican potter Juan Quesada of Mata Ortiz Mexico.  This tells the incredible story of how one man began a pottery making industry in this tiny town and turned over 300 persons there into artists.  David Diaz's illustrations show the beautiful colors of the area & the pottery.

Janell Cannon of STELLALUNA fame is the free spirit I wish I could be.  Just doing what she wants, when she wants & enjoying every minute of life.  She lives near Encinitas where she met me at her favorite Peruvian restaurant & soon introduced me to some delicious eats & drinks.  Her love of nature & animals began during her childhood in MN & continues to the deserts around the southwest.  Her book PINDULI was named last year's winner of the children's choice award in the AZ called The Grand Canyon Reader Award & she will be in AZ to accept that award in Nov. at the AZ Library Conference.  She delights in her work & spent time drawing little sketches in each book she autographed for me. She's a very unassuming super-star of children's literature & you might enjoy her other work including CRICKWING, VERDI, AND TRUPP.

AND, be sure to stop by & see children's book author Pam Munoz Ryan on Wed. 9-19 at Gardner's Book Service at 5PM.  Call Gardner's for directions at 863-6000.  It's south of Bell Rd. & east of the I-17 freeway.

So long for now--

Cathy