Leonard S. Marcus

Children's Book Historian, Author, Critic

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New from Harry N. Abrams: Unseen Sendak! MAURICE SENDAK: A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTIST AND HIS WORK (Harry N. Abrams, Society of Illustrators) Published in conjunction with the Society of Illustrators exhibition “Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work,” this lavishly illustrated catalogue is edited by Leonard S. Marcus and features hundreds of previous unpublished artworks by the twentieth century's preeminent children's book artist. --A book of stirring, revelatory interviews about the beloved Newbery Medal—winning author LISTENING FOR MADELEINE: A PORTRAIT OF MADELEINE L'ENGLE IN MANY VOICES (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Madeleine L'Engle is best known to the world as the author of A Wrinkle in Time, the enduring milestone work of fantasy fiction that has enthralled millions of readers for the past fifty years. But to those who knew her well, L'Engle was much more: a larger-than-life persona, an inspiring mentor, a strongwilled matriarch, a spiritual guide, and a rare friend. The renowned literary historian and biographer Leonard S. Marcus reveals L'Engle in all her complexity through a series of incisive interviews with the people who knew her most intimately. Vivid reminiscences of family, colleagues,and friends create a kaleidoscope of keen insights and snapshot moments that help readers to understand the many sides of this singularly fascinating woman. Starred Review --Publishers Weekly “A multifaceted portrait of the complicated writer who won the 1963 Newbery Medal for A Wrinkle in Time. Timed as part of the publisher's 50th-anniversary celebration of the beloved classic . . . this collection brings more than 50 voices to bear on the life and career of Madeleine L'Engle (1918–2007). Children's-literature scholar Marcus approached the project with a curator's eye, seeking out interview subjects who knew L'Engle in an impressive range of roles. He has arranged their remarks thoughtfully, in sections that cover L'Engle as a child and youth, writer, matriarch, mentor, friend and icon . . . Marcus is an unobtrusive interrogator; in many cases, he elides his questions altogether, allowing his interlocutors to speak fluidly and directly . . . [Readers] come away with a greater appreciation for the way [L'Engle] grappled with her life and wrestled it into narrative.” --Kirkus Review “Mr. Marcus's immensely readable and fascinating book will probably stand as the definitive portrait of Madeleine L'Engle.” --James Kennedy, Wall Street Journal “The woman who emerges from these pages will remind readers that an actual human being can be just as fascinatingly contradictory as a fictional being.” --Cara Parks, The New Republic “The next best thing to having dinner with Madeleine L'Engle yourself.” --Anita Silvey, Book-A-Day Almanac “Best Holiday Gift Books 2012.” --Vogue Why Do Picture Books Matter? SHOW ME A STORY! WHY PICTURE BOOKS MATTER: CONVERSATIONS WITH 21 OF the WORLD‘S MOST CELEBRATED ILLUSTRATORS (Candlewick Press) It‘s here! Check out Leonard's latest collection of not-to-be missed conversations about children's books and the people who make them! Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar - these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Story! Renowned children's literature authority Leonard S. Marcus speaks with their creators and others - twenty-one of the world's mostcelebrated authors and illustrators - and asks about their childhood, their inspiration, their determination, their mentors, their creative choices, and more. And yes, Mo Willems did the cover! “This fine resource [will] inspire, inform, and delight those of any age who are engaged in—or by—the arts” --Joanna Rudge Long, The Horn Book “Compelling” --Booklist “Fascinating insights into the lives of picture-book creators and the format itself.” --Kirkus “Let us just say for the record that Leonard Marcus is a national treasure.” --Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Best Holiday Book, 2011! THE ANNOTATED PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer. Annotations by Leonard S. Marcus (Random House) “A timeless tribute to learning as play, much enriched with background on even the (seemingly) throwaway lines and puns.” --Kirkus (starred review) Best Book, Fall 2011 --The Village Voice “Brilliantly edited.” --Maria Tatar Best Holiday Gift Book, 2011 --Entertainment Weekly Best Holiday Gift Book, 2011 --Minneapolis Star-Tribune Best Holiday Gift Book, 2011 --Los Angeles Times Best Holiday Book, 2011 --The Boston Globe Best Holiday Book, 2011 --Babble.com An SLJ Best Book of 2009! FUNNY BUSINESS (Candlewick Press) 13 well-loved comic writers tell how they found their funny bones, their voices, and themselves. In this companion to The Wand in the Word, Leonard talks with Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Sharon Creech, Christopher Paul Curtis, Anne Fine, Daniel Handler, Carl Hiaasen, Norton Juster, Dick King-Smith, Hilary McKay, Louis Sachar, and Jon Scieszka, and Daniel Pinkwater makes a special cameo appearance. --“Illuminating [and] intriguing. . . This title should find its way onto shelves for readers of all ages.” --Maria B. Salvadore School Library Journal (starred review) --Booklist (starred review) and Booklist.com Review of the Day (October 23) --“A great way to see how authors do what they do.” --Indiana Post-Tribune --“Children . . . are certain to savor this collection.” --Jennifer M. Brown, Shelf Awareness.com Also New from Candlewick The paperback edition of THE WAND IN THE WORD: CONVERSATIONS WITH WRITERS OF FANTASY -- “An essential volume for fantasy fans of all ages.” — School Library Journal (starred review) -- "A rich resource." — Booklist (starred); -- “Wisdom, variety, and humor characterize these interviews full of incisive comments from thirteen fantasy writers. . . An unusual exposition of creativity and courage, this book offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways imagination and fantasy work.” — The Horn Book (Horn Book Fanfare; starred review) Winner of the 2010 Children's Literature Association Book Award MINDERS OF MAKE BELIEVE: IDEALISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND THE SHAPING OF AMERICAN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (Houghton Mifflin) Minders of Make-Believe is the first-ever history of American children's book publishing, from colonial times to Harry Potter. — New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice selection “Best Nonfiction Books of 2008” — Los Angeles Times Book Review “Best Summer Nonfiction Reading” — NPR's Fresh Air “A historian‘s wonderfully knowing account of the world of children's literat ure becomes something more: a brilliant rendering of a nation's values over the generations. Bravo!” — Robert Coles “In the busy barnyard of children's literature, Leonard Marcus is Charlotte—a calm, wise soul who weaves every strand into something meaningful and useful. (He does not, as far as I know, have eight legs.)” — Daniel Handler “A tour de force . . . Indispensible.” — Booklist (starred review) More The perfect gift for anyone who loves Golden Books—now in its 3rd printing! GOLDEN LEGACY: HOW GOLDEN BOOKS WON CHILDREN'S HEARTS, CHANGED PUBLISHING FOREVER, AND BECAME AN AMERICAN ICON ALONG THE WAY (Random House) This lavishly illustrated book tells the fascinating, never-before-told story of the creation, marketing, and world-wide impact of the most popular children's books of all time. [A] treasure of a history." — Kirkus (starred review) “What a grand story [this] is! A big book about the 'Little Books'!” — Eric Carle SEE THE LARGEST PUBLIC SHOWING EVER OF ORIGINAL ART FROM GOLDEN BOOKS, AS THE EXHIBITION “GOLDEN LEGACY” CONTINUES ON ITS NATIONAL TOUR: Arne Nixon Center California State University at Fresno (Fresno, CA): 18 March 2013 – 27 May 2013 Racine Public Library (Racine, WI): 9 June 2013 – 18 August 2013 More Presentations Leonard with Norton Juster (left) and Jules Feiffer (right) on the steps of 153 State Street--the Brooklyn Heights row house where The Phantom Tollbooth was created. Leonard (moderator) with artists Rick Meyerowitz, Edward Sorel, Roz Chast, and Roxie Munro, following their public conversation “The New Yorker's New York,” at the Katonah Museum of Art on November 3rd Books of Wonder window display, November 2011 Leonard on stage with Jules Feiffer at the Eric Carle Museum, November 5, 2011 Leonard Marcus is one of the children's-book world's most engaging and versatile speakers. Contact him about coming to your library, school, convention, or group meeting to give any the programs listed below. Programs can also be planned to meet your group's specific needs. More Highlights May/June 2013 Leonard in now represented for all speaking engagements by the Random House Speakers Bureau. To arrange for him to speak at your conference or to visit your library, corporate offices, or school, please contact Kathleen Dunn: KDunn@randomhouse.com 05/01 — FRESNO, CA: The exhibition “Golden Legacy: 65 Years of Original Art for Golden Books,” remains on view at the Arne Nixon Center, California State at Fresno, through May 27. More 05/04 — ROCKLAND, ME: Leonard speaks about the history of illustrated children's books at the Farnsworth Museum, at 10:30 a.m. More 05/09 — WASHINGTON, DC: Leonard speaks about Maurice Sendak at the Reading Is Fundamental fiftieth anniversary gala, Four Seasons Hotel. More 05/13 — NEW YORK, NY: Leonard moderates a discussion about children's picture books with Antoine Guilloppé and Istvan Banyai, at the School of Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23 Street), starting at 6:30 p.m. Co-sponored by the Cultural Services Office of the French Embassy. More 05/19 — WASHINGTON, DC: Leonard moderates a panel discussion about picture books at Politics & Prose, starting at 5 p.m. More 05/19 — WASHINGTON, DC: Leonard moderates a panel discussion about picture books at Politics & Prose, starting at 5 p.m.. More 06/09 — RACINE, WI: The exhibition “Golden Legacy: 65 Years of Original Art for Golden Books,” opens at the Racine Public Library, and remains on view through August 18. More 06/11 — NEW YORK, NY: Opening of the exhibition “Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work,” at the Society of Illustrators. More 06/12 — NEW YORK, NY: Leonard gives an evening preview/discussion of the New York Public Library exhibition “The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter”, at the Center for Book Arts (28 West 27 Street). More 06/19 — NEW YORK, NY: Leonard leads an evening panel discussion about the art of Maurice Sendak at the Society of Illustrators (128 East 63rd Street), with Steven Heller, Judith Rovenger, and Patrick Rodgers. More 06/21 — NEW YORK, NY: Pexhibition “The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter” opens in Gottesman Hall, the New York Public Library (42nd Street and Fifth Avenue). More 06/24 — WINCHESTER, VA: Leonard speaks at Shenandoah University's 2013 Children's Literature Conference. More 06/28 — CHICAGO, IL: Leonard speaks about Randolph Caldecott at the American Library Association preconference. More Media Mix Hear Leonard discuss his work and the latest trends in chidren's and teen literature on “Cynsations”. Hear Leonard talk with Inquiry host Mark Lynch about "Golden Legacy" an exhibition at the Eric Carle Museum now though February 28. HOPES AND DREAMS Click here to watch Leonard's Video interview at Adolescent Literacy's website. “Marcus believes that every generation makes the books that contain the hopes and dreams it wants to pass onto the next generation.” Click here for Leonard's recent talk about Funny Business at New York‘s Strand Bookstore. THE BAT OF MINERVA Click here to hear Leonard, during a recent visit to the University of Minnesota, discuss his career on Peter Shea‘s podcast “The Bat of Minerva”. Hear Leonard talk with founder Deborah Harper about Funny Business Listen to LSM's interview about Minders of Make-Believe with Inquiry host Mark Lynch. Hear Leonard talk about Funny Business on WICN Public Radio with Inquiry host Mark Lynch. Hear LSM discuss the history of Golden Books with Leonard Lopate on the WNYC-AM's Leonard Lopate Show on July 1. Read what Achuka.co.uk has to say about Minders of Make-Believe. Read about the recent Carle Honors dinner, where Leonard helped present this year's awards, on the First Book blog Click on the image to watch the VIDEO. Click on the image to hear Leonard talk with First Book's Jennifer Wrenn in their May 12th PODCAST about Minders of Make-Believe. Click on the image to watch the VIDEO of Leonard's May 20 conversation about Minders of Make-Believe with PW's Elizabeth Devereaux, at the Strand Bookstore, New York, NY. Leonard discussed Minders of Make-Believe in an interview with Psychjourney founder and president Deborah Harper, recorded on August 23, 2008. Click on the logo to listen to the PODCAST. Maclean's reporter Brian Bethune calls on Leonard to comment on the return to print of maverick picture-book great Tomi Ungerer. Click on the logo to read the ARTICLE. Quote of the Month “There must be more to life than having everything.” --Maurice Sendak, Higglety Pigglety Pop Unless otherwise indicated, all text copyright Leonard S. Marcus. LeonardSMa@aol.com This Webcounter was provided by DIGITS