Stay Tuned...

As the school year approacheth I'm spending more and more time preparing for the opening of another year of inspiring young minds. More reviews are coming...thanks for your patience. The one I'm working on at present is over 700 pages. I think I foresee more children's books in my future. Again, thanks for following or stopping by. This site is a work in progress. - Tracy

The Library Dragon

By: Carmen Agra Deedy

Illustrated by Michael P. White

Let me begin by saying I am a newbie. Not a newbie to reading, publishing, writing, or reviewing, but a blogging virgin. Although I've written book reviews for newspapers and magazines and consider myself a tech geek, I have only recently found the joys of tweeting, posting, online communities, status updates, and finally, blogging. This is perfect. To do what I've always loved and see it in print...immediately.

It all began with an internship at Peachtree Publishers in 2000-2001. We'll just refer to this time period as pre-9/11. While interning for Peachtree I gained a whole new respect for the written word- and the process it takes to get there. I got to see everything from the slush pile (the stacks of unsolicited manuscripts) to publicity to the art, editorial, and sales departments. Additionally I got to experience the supply and demand first hand by helping ship the orders in a warehouse of titles to make any literati's mouth water.

So why do I begin with The Library Dragon as my first blog review? It was through Peachtree that I was introduced to the magnificent and talented author, Carmen Agra Deedy, and her equally creative illustrator, Michael P. White. There are perks to working in publicity- you sometimes are fortunate enough to work with the authors themselves. For me this was like being a music roadie and being given exclusive backstage passes- only better. Seeing the work that goes on behind the scenes only gave me more of an appreciation for the finished product. I was able to witness the process from initial manuscript acceptance or more often than not- the dreaded "form" rejection letter to the hand off to senior editors to art design to revisions to the final publication. What an amazing thing to witness a final review copy that includes some of your own critique. To witness a page that has been made better from your suggestions. Amazing. Simply amazing.

The Library Dragon appeals to me as a teacher, as a mother, as a former librarian, and mostly I adore this book because of its literary asides and puns. Carmen Deedy's humor pairs perfectly with Michael White's vivid illustrations. The book aptly addresses a stereotype of librarians that unfortunately is sometimes more truth than fiction. Miss Lotta Scales (even the name is tongue-in-cheek) is the quintessential guardian of the books with no tolerance for sticky-fingered children thumbing through her precious books. It is not until a humble Molly Brickmeyer stumbles into the library that Miss Lotta Scales is reminded of her true purpose and becomes Miss Lottie. For me this book holds important lessons for children, but the true lesson is for adults. I compare it to the adult innuendos found in modern day cartoons. Deedy's mastery of puns plays out with references all through the book to fire and dragons: scales, library lair, hot under the collar, inflammatory, "fired up," where there's smoke there's fire, singed, plan backfired, fan the flames, firing, "the teachers were incensed," the principal fumed, and "you slay me" to list a few. Marvelous craftsmanship. Just marvelous. This book gets me fired up...and wanting more.