Books of Wonder turns 33

 



A long, long time ago... well, back on September 2nd, 1980, the day after Labor Day, Books of Wonder opened its doors for the very first time. That's why for many years now, we have celebrated another year of bringing New York City and our friends around the world the best in children's literature with a Labor Day weekend anniversary sale!

 

This year, Books of Wonder turns 33 years old! That strikes us as a very special number. After all, the great E. Nesbit wrote that all magic comes in threes! And Tolkien wrote that when a hobbit turns 33, it is celebrated as his or her "coming of age." Well, we want to celebrate with you our "coming of age!" So this year, in addition to having every book in the store discounted at least 20% off its suggested retail price -- and that includes all of our old & rare books, as well -- we have also put together a small group of truly wonderful books and sets to offer you at 33% of their original retail price -- that's an amazing 67% off!

 

We also have a generous selection of books priced from $3 to $8, giving you a special anniversary sale savings of anywhere from 30-60% off. For those of you that can't make it to the store, Booksofwonder.com will also be celebrating the sale with 20% off site-wide, and the chance to save big by ordering our 33rd Anniversary Special Sale items.

 

The Complete Alice Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-glass are children's classics that have been loved by generations for nearly 150 year. This beautiful box set takes these two great books and presents them as 22 hand-sized little gems, all wonderfully illustrated with Helen Oxenbury's magical, whimsical pictures. From falling down the rabbit-hole to attending the Mad Hatter's tea party, meeting Humpty Dumpty and braving the Jabberwock, these stories have become a must for every child. Imported from the UK, this delightful boxed set is sure to be a treasured addition to your child's library.

 

The List goes on so just head to their Website

for more details

 

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Sunday and Books Of Wonder

I got an email from Books of Wonder telling me of a picture book signing

on

Sunday April 28th 12: PM-2: PM

David Ezra Stein also Paul Schmid would be there, both I have enjoyed for a few years now.

 

 

It was nice that David remembered me from SCBWI winter conference and Paul was generous with his time letting me know that Picture book work is not an easy road but very rewarding.

 

 

As my girlfriend and I wondered the store she picks up a book and says to me this is beautiful! I quickly glance at it and said I now that artwork and got very excited and said we need to buy this book it is a Russian Folktale called “Hedgehog in the Fog” I was introduce to this story by Michael Sporn’s splog (blog) as animation.

I never knew it was a book first, well I do now!

 The book is as wonderful as the animated version or vice a versa.

This was a great Sunday!  

 

  

 

                            

SCBWI 14th Winter Conference "the end"

“The end”

Well what I can say about the conference, on Saturday we started off listening to Meg Rosoff she was great what wit, fantastic! I am still wondering what happened to Peter Glassman he is the owner of Books of Wonder and was supposed to be part of panel talk but did not show up.
There were two breakout sessions I got to listen to Kate Fletcher editor of Candlewick and Nancy Siscone senior executive editor Knopf Books for Young Readers both I found to be very nice who cared about the quality of a good story the term “layers and voice” was used often. The speaking part of the conference closed with Shaun Tan interesting person he said a lot about his work in an odd about way that was inspirational and entertaining.

 

A couple of the treats for me that night after the speaking part was done was a portfolio viewing I had to step away from my portfolio it is hard to watch people viewing it, but a lot of postcards were taken not sure by whom . It was followed by a Gala event where I got a vodka and orange juice (I think say screwdriver is silly) at the event a charming women came up to me to tell me how much she loved my elephants that was a great moment it meant I touched someone with my artwork and that is all I ever want to do.
Then one last get to know your fellow attendees this was a little silly But!

 
I met Tomie dePaola I did not think I would like this man but it was not the case he was generous with his time and answered everyone’s questions and told us straight how it is out there also who I did not get to speak to was the Hilt brothers it was nice for them to take the time to share their experiences with the group.
 

On Sunday one of the speakers put me to sleep I felt she did not know her audience. 
This was followed by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, who talked about sequential books and what to look out for very helpful. 
And finally Mo Willems who does a good job entertaining the audience even though I recognized some of his talk from a past event the info is still valid.

This was followed by a book signing were I finally got to meet David Ezra Stein and had him as well as Tomie dePaola sign their books.


p.s. I had Aha moment I came up to an ending for Sidney and friends!

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Picture I took years ago of the "Books of Wonder" store front window
 

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A handful of thoughts

None of this is all that important on its own so I just put it all in one post.

The other day /post I wrote about buying “The Great Song Book” illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, well while talking to a friend of mine on the phone I looked at my book shelf and read a familiar name across one of my picture books I could not believe it I am already familiar with Mr. Ungerer artwork “The Hat” published in the 70’s this is one of those books I have had as a child, it is in great shape a little dented around the edges, what a treat!

  I was going to go to Books of Wonder on Sunday (9/11/2011) to support David Ezra Stein at his book signing "Love, Mouserella". I only meet him briefly once a couple of years ago at a local street fair in are neighborhood and been following his success as a writer/illustrator ever since. But let’s face it I was not eager to get on a Subway on that day for two reasons one (1) they never work well on the weekends because of track work and two (2) it was a high alert day and didn’t want to deal with it. Instead in my neighborhood was a group of performers from the “Mortal Folly Theartre” (“theater” it is not spelled wrong) doing scenes from Shakespeare it was enjoyable!!

Also in my own work I have a beginning, middle and an end to my little story that I am working on. It seems to be falling into place now but still no words are really attached to this picture book idea but that will come in time.