"Miss Rumphius" Audio/Visual Book!

I apologize for the sudden influx of video-related media (the written word has been put on the back burner for now, because why have words when you can have PICTURES!)

A few weeks ago, I recorded an audio book with Roman Chimienti for his company, The End Audio Productions. The accompanying video has finally been completed thanks to the swift editing skills of Jessica Rondash from Verbatim Studios. 

The book, Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney, is a favorite of Roman's. If you're a frequent visitor, it's no mystery that books (especially those from my kinder days of yore) are my greatest obsession. I can still remember curling up to Cooney's Hattie and the Waves as a little girl. Obviously, I jumped at this opportunity, and I'm so glad I did.

But enough chatter - just sink into your best PJs and security blankie and cuddle your beloved stuffed counterpart as you have a look (or a listen, depending on your mood) to a childhood favorite.

And don't forget to visit The End Audio Productions for more audio books narrated by other great voice over artists. (Like how this sentence assumes I am one of them?)

A Valentine Memory

I know this is a day late, but holidays have a habit of hitting me after the fact.

I thought I'd share my first favorite library book with you all, in lieu of Valentine's Day. I mentioned it briefly in my Childhood Book lollapalooza - quite simply, I was obsessed with this book starting at 6 years old, and proceeded to check it out every time I went to the Middletown Public Library until my mom told me to cut it out and look for something more intellectual.

Well, she might not have said that, but it was the gist I got.

"Four Valentines in a Rainstorm," by Felicia Bond (or "The Day It Rained Valentines" as it has now been re-titled - not merely as poetic, but I suppose more obvious for the youngins) was a story about hearts falling from the sky during a rain shower. A little girl decides to pick them up and make valentines for all her animal friends, who for all intensive purposes are fully autonomous citizens of the neighborhood who can in fact receive mail and live in a house.

Why did I love this book so much? Perhaps its small size? (As you may know, I have a thing for miniatures) The phenomenon of teeny rain-hearts? Arts and crafts? Animals with opposable thumbs?

I don't think I'll ever know. But at least I've moved on to more mature reading as of late....

 

.......>ahem<

‽

The Zortians Are Coming....

Well this just makes my little heart go pitter-patter.

I got the urge today to once again Google the word "Zort" (surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, this is an ongoing hobby of mine), hoping in silent desperation that there was indeed another little nerd child out there who was as enthralled with the world of "Ed Emberley's Big Green Drawing" book as I, and was painstakingly uploading their myriad of childhood sketches of the little one-eyed darlings in hopes of reaching me on the other side of the interwebs - like a Google message in a bottle.

(For those of you not versed in the world of Zort, please refer to my previous zortian ramblings.)

The back cover of the best [drawing] book ever.

Usually, I have no such luck. I find only my own images, which tends to make me somewhat depressed about the state of my almost 25 year old life. However, today: breakthrough!

I am happy to say that after many years of looking, I have found another work of zortian perfection:

Courtesy of Joe Kuth @Red Panda Comics

This adorable piece of imagination is by fellow blogger, talented artist, and obviously awesome dude, Joe Kuth. I can't tell you how excited I was to find this. Actually, I'm telling you right now, though I shouldn't since it's slightly embarrassing: I may have peed a little.

The best part of this discovery is that I no longer have to hide my blushing face as I fawn over little green men with three legs - there are others out there who share in my appreciation of Ed Emberley and his wonderful world. (Read an interview with Kuth here; you'll see what I mean.)

BUT WAIT - (that's right, you know the rest....)

....MORE EXCITEMENT!
Joe, in part with his blog, has put together a tribute book to Mr. Ed Ember' himself, consisting of artwork drawn by other fans around the country!

Where the fuck was I when this was happening?!

Thankfully, my disappointment at not getting the chance to be included in this book was overshadowed by yet another amazing discovery (I'm running out of ways to emphasize my text):

Yes, it's true. There is a documentary. About Ed Emberley. Coming. Soon.

Does this mean that Zortians might make an appearance as well? Possibly even......animated?

Only time will tell......and I will await, ever anxiously....

‽

You + Me = $500 Worth of Free Books

This is a little bit different from my usual ranting, but when it comes to books, all time stops for the matters at hand.

Thanks to a tip from Indy Grrrl, I recently discovered that Chronicle Books is holding a contest exclusively for bloggers (yeah, I guess I would consider myself one; sure): Post a wish list of $500 worth of books and get entered into a drawing to win them all.

Needless to say, I'm all about this, and spent the latter part of yesterday drooling over the list you see below. But I'm a generous one, and like people to read what I'm reading, so if you comment on this posting and I happen to win, you could get all these specially, handpicked books too!

So if you share the same odd taste in books as yours truly, get on this shit.

	TARA'S UNKOSHER LIST OF BOOKS So Crazy Japanese Toys! By Jimbo Matison Foreword by Rodney Alan Greenblat When huge alien spiders or ocean-dwelling mutant dinosaurs hell-bent on destruction decide to pay a visit to humankind, they always seem to stop in Japan first. So Crazy Japanese Toys! showcases a cast of totally cool, totally sugoi ...    MORE
	ACME Catalog From Warner Bros. Text by Charles Carney Iron birdseed, anvils, fake holes, and more—for years The ACME Company has been the sole purveyor of the fine products used by Looney Tunes characters. Chronicle Books is proud to present an exclusive catalog featuring ACME's must-have, ...    MORE
	Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers By Robert Schnakenberg On the heels of Secret Lives of Great Authors, Great Artists, and Great Composers comes Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers—an uncensored look at screen legends ranging from D. W. Griffith and Frank ...    MORE
	The Doorbells of Florence By Andrew Losowsky These alluring photographs of doorbell panels in Florence, Italy, inspired stories that imagine the lives of the people who dwell at each address. Charming, whimsical, and elegant, each story is a perfect match for its photo, balancing the ...    MORE
	Olive, the Other Reindeer Written and illustrated by J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh Olive is merrily preparing for Christmas when suddenly she realizes "Olive... the other Reindeer... I thought I was a dog. Hmmm, I must be a Reindeer!" So she quickly hops aboard the polar express and heads to the North Pole. And while Santa and ...    MORE
	America's Doll House By William L. Bird, Jr. From the Star-Spangled Banner flag to Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History is home to some fascinating objects. In fact, one of the most fascinating of these, and one of the most ...    MORE
	Secret Lives of Great Artists By Elizabeth Lunday In the tradition of our best-selling Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents (120,000 copies in print), here are outrageous and uncensored profiles of the world's greatest artists, complete with hundreds of little-known, ...    MORE
	Secret Lives of Great Authors By Robert Schnakenberg In the tradition of Quirk's bestselling Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents (100,000+ copies in print), here are outrageous and uncensored profiles of the world's greatest writers, complete with hundreds of little-known, ...    MORE
	You Know You're a Writer When . . . By Adair Lara You know you're a writer when . . . You'll never forgive your parents for your happy childhood. . . . The doctor tells you that you have terminal cancer and you think, "I can use this." . . . You accidentally sign a check with ...    MORE
	Writer's Workshop in a Book Introduction by Richard Ford Edited by Alan Cheuse and Lisa Alvarez Since 1969, the prestigious Squaw Valley Community of Writers has helped develop the art and craft of many who are now household names. Instructors such as Michael Chabon, Mark Childress, Diane Johnson, Anne Lamott, Robert Stone, and Amy Tan ...    MORE
	The Writer's Toolbox By Jamie Cat Callan Designed by a longtime creative writing teacher, this innovative kit includes a 64-page booklet filled with exercises and instructions that focus on a "right-brain" approach to writing. Sixty exercise sticks—First Sentences, Non Sequiturs, ...    MORE
	TCM Classic Movie Crossword Puzzles By Turner Classic Movies Foreword by Robert Osborne Film-themed crossword puzzles from Turner Classic Movies are a wildly popular feature in its Now Playing viewer's guide, received by 160,000 subscribers each month. Collected here for the first time are 80 challenging and ...    MORE
	The Indiana Jones Handbook By Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese For every fan who's dreamed of cracking a bullwhip, rescuing lost treasures, and evading giant runaway boulders, The Indiana Jones Handbook offers all the tips and tricks of the adventurer's trade. Complete with step-by-step ...    MORE
	Hollywood Glamour Pack By Turner Classic Movies Foreword by Robert Osborne Introduction by Molly Haskell You save $11.95! Leading Men 7 x 9 in; 240 pp; 200 color and b/w photographs Paperback Leading Ladies 7 x 9 in; 240 pp; 200 b/w and color ...    MORE
	The Star Wars Poster Book By Stephen J. Sansweet and Peter Vilmur One of the very first Star Wars posters had no images at all—just enormous block letters that announced, "Coming to Your Galaxy This Summer: Star Wars." The rest is history. Now, 28 years later, the 350 most amazing Star ...    MORE
	Picture Show By Dianna Edwards Foreword by Robert Osborne Turner Classic Movies may be best known for running the timeless films we never tire of watching, but behind the scenes is another treasure few get to see: a vast archive of posters from more than seven decades of movie making, including the ...    MORE
	Wookiee Cookies By Robin Davis Boba Fett-Uccine and Princess Leia Danish Dos are just the beginning when the Force is with you in the kitchen. Wookiee Cookies is your invitation to fine culinary experiences in the Star Wars frame of mind. From C-3PO Pancakes ...    MORE
	What's Your Poo Telling You? Activity Book By Anish Sheth, M.D. and Josh Richman Illustrations by Peter Arkle and Matt Johnstone Celebrate the wonderful diversity of poo, pee, and farts with this one-of-a-kind, action-packed activity book from the authors of the best-selling book What's Your Poo Telling You? Featuring humorous illustrations and an ...    MORE
	Urawaza By Lisa Katayama Illustrations by Joel Holland Japan has a way of thinking that is just . . . different. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Tokyo-born journalist Lisa Katayama's collection of urawaza (a Japanese word for secret lifestyle tricks and techniques). Want to ...    MORE
	Bedside Dream Journal With this handsome journal, recording one's dreams (and the inspiration, introspection, and wonder that grows from them) has never been easier. Complete with a dream glossary and helpful instructional text to guide the user toward more ...    MORE
	Curious Lists Charming, comical, and unquestionably curious, this encyclopedic journal of unusual list topics is the perfect kick-start for creative minds of any age. Featuring whimsical illustrations and room for creating over 300 personalized lists on ...    MORE
	Gratitude Keep a daily record of life's little blessings with this keepsake gratitude journal filled with a year’s worth of insightful prompts, inspiring quotes, and ample room for reflecting on all the things that make life great. ...    MORE
	The Egyptian Book of the Dead Translation by Dr. Raymond Faulkner Introduction and commentary by Dr. Ogden Goelet Preface by Carol Andrews Foreword by James Wasserman For millennia, the culture and philosophy of the ancient Egyptians have fascinated artists, historians, and spiritual seekers throughout the world. Now, this reissue of a Chronicle Books classic brings to light once more the legendary ...    MORE
	52 Ways to Nurture Your Creativity By Lynn Gordon Illustrations by Karen Johnson Feed your creative muse with these 52 little bites of inspiration. These portable cards are perfect for artists of all kinds, especially those who like to color outside of the lines. ...    MORE
	Drop Dead Cute By Ivan Vartanian Drop Dead Cute showcases the work of 10 cutting-edge female Japanese artists whose art combines the pop charge of Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara with a thrilling personal mixture of sweetness and power. This next wave of painters ...    MORE
	The 1000 Journals Project By Someguy Foreword by Kevin Kelly Voyeuristic. Inspirational. Entertaining. One thousand blank journals are currently circulating throughout the world, beckoning contributors who find the journals by chance on trains, in cafés, and anonymously left on doorsteps. Artist ...    MORE