A very Happy Crockett Johnson’s Birthday to all who celebrate! The author of Harold and the Purple Crayon and the creator of Barnaby (and Mr. O’Malley) was born 120 years ago today in New York City. With thanks to Liam McCormack and the collection of the Albert Apartment Corporation, here’s something I’d never seen before
W. Kamau Bell is the rare non-children’s book person (creator, librarian, teacher, scholar) who takes children’s books seriously. He admires the craft. And his chat with Mo Willems — and then both Mo and Cher Willems — is a joy and a delight. And Mo is dropping so many pearls of creative wisdom that early in the
I was last at San Diego Comic-Con in 2017. For that and for previous visits, I covered the con like a journalist. I think I was trying to be of use to others, since relatively few people get to attend. In 2026, I don’t have the energy for that — indeed, I’m only getting this post
It is always a slightly strange feeling to be a nominee. Sitting in the hotel ballroom, as your category approaches and then arrives, there is a rise in nervous energy. If your book wins, you will need to take the stage, deep-breath your nerves down, remember to thank all the people you want to thank.
