This week we celebrate the life-changing power of books and literacy with Children's Book Week. Since 1916, Children's Book Week has taken various forms, but its mission has stayed the same: to promote excellence in children's books.
Master paper artist Claudia Cohen has turned Seattle's Paper Hammer into a giant paper sample book. The informal exhibition Pleasure of Pattern draws from Cohen's extensive personal collection of paper from all over the world. If you'll be in the area, it's most certainly a must-see! For the rest of us, you can peruse some of the items via Paper Hammer's online gallery.
Today "The Great Gatsby" premiers in the United States. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, the movie has been long awaited in circles of moviegoers and readers alike. The film brings a classic novel to a new audience, giving us a fresh perspective on the book that's often considered Fitzgerald's magnum opus. Fitzgerald, a member of "the Lost Generation" and a contemporary of legendary authors, thinkers, and artists like Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and Pablo Picasso, held a peculiar place among his peers. He continues to captivate us--sometimes in surprising ways.
Mother's Day is just around the corner in the US, and it's time to pick out the perfect gift for moms and grandmothers. Consider these Mothers Day gift ideas if your mom loves special and rare books.
Today people in the United States and parts of Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo ("fifth of May"), which often seems synonymous with margaritas and other trappings of Mexican revelry. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo on May 5, 1862.
Born in Johannesburg in 1966 and raised in Vancouver, Charles van Sandwyk began selling his drawings and watercolors in the early 1980's. In 1986, he won the Alcan Award for his limited edition book A Selection of Neighbourly Birds. The book, illustrated with etchings printed on an antique intaglio press, was his first venture into the world of handmade books.
Last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner was truly a star studded affair. The event recognized recipients of the White House Correspondents' Association scholarships--and provided an opportunity for framing American politics in a more entertaining light. Since its inception, the correspondents' dinner has offered us a different look at the president and other key figures.
Today we celebrate the birthday of legendary author William Shakespeare, whose works have inspired countless generations of readers and writers. Shakespeare has been adapted innumerable times for various editions and performances, but a perennial favorite among rare book collectors is Tales from Shakespeare (originally published in 1807) by Charles and Mary Lamb. The pair sought to make Shakespeare truly accessible to children through this work.
Today we celebrate Preservation Week! Organized by the American Library Association (ALA), the event reminds us of the importance of preserving not only our personal past, but also the vast resources of our libraries. In 2005, a comprehensive national survey showed that US institutions hold over 4.8 billion items, 63% of which are in libraries. Uncounted items held by individuals also include books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, ephemera, audio recordings, and objects.
April is National Poetry Month, and beautiful verses are popping up everywhere. Many noted authors have also written poems, which are often much lesser known--and therefore more scarce. These volumes are lovely additions to an author-specific or poetry collection.
