Last night’s Oscars didn’t have many great surprises or exciting moments, but I was glad to see that The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore won for best animated short. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here:
http://youtu.be/Adzywe9xeIU
I haven’t seen the other nominees, but this one is so beautifully done I’m really glad it won. Who were your Oscar favorites?
At educating alice, Monica Edinger has shared a wicked cool video about the German history of fairy tales:
Kind of want to take a trip down Fairy Tale Road now.
Monica also mentioned the Grimm Legacies conference, which I didn’t know about before. It sounds so awesome! Sad I missed it.
If you’re like me, you’re unreasonably excited about the upcoming Hunger Games movie. The soundtrack was recently revealed, and I’m happy to see some favorite artists on the list, including:
It looks like the overall vibe is folk with an edge, which I think is perfect. (Frankly, I wish Neko Case could write the whole album; her sound matches the books perfectly.) Even though I don’t listen to much Taylor Swift, I actually like her song for the movie. You can see the video here:
Not as bouncy as a lot of her hits, and it has a nice mountain feel. So I’m very hopeful going into the movie. Any artists you like/dislike on the soundtrack, or anyone you wish were on the list?
Really digging this video for Don’t Go by Pyyramids:
Lots of awesome work in the background, and I love how genuine this girl seems. I could easily picture her doing the same dance at home, in front of her bedroom mirror. I want to dance, too!
Even though there’s still a lot of debate over the ebook, technology can be a very useful tool for writers. One recent example: well-known author Avi is launching a video contest for his novel City of Orphans. Details via readergirlz:
“Any teacher or librarian is eligible to submit a City of Orphans video for a student or classroom in fourth through ninth grade. Options include formats such as live action, documentary-style, readers’ theater, costumed theater, and book trailers; the format is not as important as the entrants’ demonstration of creativity and their interpretation of City of Orphans. An online voting process will help determine the winners, who will receive prizes ranging from an in-person visit and lunch with Avi (one Grand Prize) to Skype visits by Avi (nine Finalists). Five contest voters are eligible to win autographed copies of City of Orphans.”
Sounds like a cool project for a classroom or library group! I like that the video style is open, too; I think that will inspire a lot of different interpretations and allow readers to really have fun and explore their thoughts on the book. I haven’t read City of Orphans yet but it sounds like something I would have loved when I was younger.
Check out readergirlz and Avi’s page for more details.
You know those nonsense words you have to type to prove you’re not a spambot? Gabrielle de Vietri made them into a story:
http://vimeo.com/18383130
It sounds so Lewis Carroll-esque. Is Desmodowe the next Alice?
Maurice Sendak and Stephen Colbert in the same room? It’s a grudge match of hilarity. I’m having issues with the embed codes, so check out part 1 and part 2 of the interview here.
Sneak preview: you get to hear Sendak sing. And swear (or at least the censor bleeps). It makes me love him that much more.
Confession: I like to imagine I could be in a band. When I’m alone in the apartment, I like to dance in front of the mirror and pretend I have actual musical talent. Until some fairy godmother grants that wish, I’ll stick to reading books about bands. Upcoming novel The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour sounds right up my alley. The trailer is really fun too!
Maybe I should start practicing my band hair now. (via Book Riot)
If you’re like me, you’re a little obsessed with TV show Downton Abbey, about a British family and their servants during WWI. (Season 2 currently airing on PBS!) It’s such an interesting time period, and the manor house life is so fascinating. PBS is also airing a real-life look at manor houses and the people in them. Check out this preview.
What an interesting environment! Inspiration for a YA novel, anyone?
Update: You can watch the whole thing online here.
Another cool book trailer, this one for The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente, illustrated by Ana Juan
The song in the trailer creates such a fantastic eerie vibe, and the illustrations look gorgeous. Very excited to pick this one up!