The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach NY, USA, currently has an exhibition entitled “The Creative Worlds of Lynne Barasch” . Ongoing until May 2010 the exhibit features several of Lynne’s books with interactive stations relating to each title. Lynne will appear at the library this Saturday, January 16th, at 1 PM for lower school age children and at 2PM for teens. Click here to read PaperTigers review of Lynne’s most recent book First Come the Zebra and here to read our review of her book Hiromi’s Hands, published in 2007 by Lee and Low Books.

What do a little girl who dreams of becoming a sushi chef and a young boy whose ambition is to be the world’s best surfer have in common? Both are the subjects of two exceptional picture books, and both have been chosen by Kiriyama Prize judges to be on the list of Notable Books for 2008.

Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch and Surfer of the Century by Ellie Crowe have still more in common. They are both true stories, they have both been published by Lee & Low Books, and each one was reviewed in the past year by PaperTigers. In the tradition that Lee & Low Books have made their trademark, both books have the arresting illustrations and clarity of text that make them attractive read-alouds, yet are interesting and informative enough to appeal to older readers–including Kiriyama judges!

This year’s list of Notable Books features three memoirs that, while not specifically intended for young adults, may well appeal to adolescent readers. Stealing Buddha’s Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen, The Thorn of Lion City by Lucy Lum, and Hapa Girl by Maylee Chai, all in different ways and in different places, tell very personal, and at times emotionally wrenching, stories of growing up and finding a place in the world.

In the more than ten years that the Kiriyama Prize has been in existence, books for young readers have appeared on the Notable Lists, which can be found on the Kiriyama web site. For readers of all ages, this is a splendid place to look when hunting for reading recommendations.

As we come to the end of another year (already?!?), all children’s/ya book blogging eyes will be upon the Cybils 2007 finalists lists, which are due out on January 1st and 7th… what a great way to celebrate all that’s been happening in 2007 and bridge to all we have to look forward to in 2008.

To get ready for the moment we’re waiting for, Bookbuds has issued a challenge and the chance to win a copy of the pop-up Narnia…

There’s still time to catch Pam Coughlan‘s article in the latest The Edge of the Forest, which highlights nominations just asking to be read as bedtime stories …

…and nominations which have featured on PaperTigers this year include:

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport and illustrated by Marion Eldridge;

Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch;

Cracker: The Best Dog In Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata;

Kimchi & Calamari by Rose Kent;

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Jamie Hogan;

Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art;

The Arrival by Shaun Tan;

Twist: Yoga Poems by Janet S. Wong and illustrated by Julie Paschkis;

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – well, we’ll be featuring a review in our next update – I’ll put in the link when it’s available…

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…and not forgetting Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani.

So now we wait with baited breath… We were a bit slow on the uptake with our own nominations for the Cybils this year but next year we’ll definitely be jumping on the band-wagon too – though choosing which books to nominate will likely be a struggle!

Before I sign off for this year, I just want to point you in the direction of Jen Robinson’s latest Literacy Round-Up – she highlights some wonderful initiatives in promoting literacy and reading aloud to small children, as well as providing much pause for thought, including Daphne Lee’s article about plans to label books in the UK with recommended age ranges… being based in the UK myself, I can see myself entering the fray there!

So, to all those of you who have supported us since the start of our PaperTigers blog in May this year, and to all those of you who have dropped in since (and maybe this is your first time), we wish you a Very Happy and Book-filled 2008!

Here in California, where you could make a good case for food being the universal religion, parents begin early to introduce kids to world cuisines. While Aline’s been cooking up Stone Soup, we’ve been making a stew of cookbooks and food reference books for kids. Amy Wilson Sanger’s board books for Ten Speed Press run the gamut from Hola, Jalapeno! to First Book of Sushi. They’re for very young children so let’s say they’re pre-cookbooks: culinary orientation for still-diapered multicultis. Speaking of which, Sarah Gilbert’s blog of her 7-month-old’s first sushi offers further inspiration (and references the Asian celebration of baby’s first meal). If sushi is a winner with your pre-schooler, Tuttle’s Sushi for Kids by Kaoru Ono and Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch will appeal. Recipe books that kids can cook from: coming soon!