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Mondays with Mira - Who says concept books don't sell? Kathryn Otoshi's Brilliant Two!!

10/27/2014

39 Comments

 
Ever write a blog post that you are really proud of but you are in a place with lousy wifi and it just disappears into the ether along with a million other lost blog posts that were never published? That's where I am right now. In an airbnb in beautiful Marin sitting in an over upholstered chair that I keep slipping down from. So I'm going to try and rewrite that post as best I can, pausing every now and then to save and hoping that I don't get kicked off the Internet with an “Unable to Reach Server” notice. Imagine hearing a deep but silent Sigh.

I had written about looking in my overabundant (read children’s book buying addict) library and discovering that most of my favorite books were concept books, i.e. books about concepts or ideas, and that I was especially fond of books that combined both concept and plot like Yuyi Morales’s Just a Minute, a counting book that features Grandma Beetle as a character who outsmarts death. I also looked at another favorite former student, Deborah Underwood’s, The Quiet Book, which doesn’t have a plot but is brilliant in so many other ways.
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Next I came upon Kathryn’s books Zero, One, and Two, which to an unsuspecting viewer might come across as simple numbers books until they open them up and start reading. These books are full of deep concepts. For example, Two is about friendship, betrayal, ostracism, alienation, bigotry, war, reconciliation and so much more, all told in brilliant rhythmic language with musical undertones and fabulous calligraphic illustrations that show numbers with individual personalities in non-anthropomorphic ways. Wild hey.
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I was lucky enough to be Kathryn’s teacher way back when and I knew she had great things ahead of her. I was lucky enough to become her friend and keep that friendship over the years. And then I was lucky enough to watch her realize the fabulous potential that I'd seen. 

I came to Marin to attend her book launch for Two and it was so wonderful; a total love fest of kindred spirits. I saw four of my former students there, three of them now published. I saw the extraordinary Uyen Pham who, if all goes well, will be contributing to our upcoming Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Books course starting next week. I met this extraordinary woman who is an emotions consultant (not that she calls herself that) and Lissa Rovetch, who I’m hoping to convince to co-teach a humor course with us sometime. I also saw tons of beauty and creativity and hope and caring and humor from members of our community including SCBWI RAs, agents, editors, book distributors, emotion consultants, and kid’s book creatives. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

As I was leaving, I realized Kathryn hadn’t even brought her new book out. She wanted this party, which wasn’t really a launch at all, or maybe it was on some other level, to be a coming together of community, of people who had been a part of her journey in some way and perhaps this explains a lot about who Kathryn is and how she could write a book like this with so much beauty and creativity and hope and caring and humor and in the end, community. I hope you love this book as much as I do. It has major read aloud re-readabily and works on different levels for all sorts of ages.

If you can, do let us know in the comments what you think, and buy her book so that she can make more. Also, find out more about Kathryn and her books at http://www.kokidsbooks.com/ (though I hope that she updates the site soon to include Two and have purchase links). I also came across this interview where Kathryn shares more about herself and her journey http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/magazine/issue-20-insideout/one-kids-0

PS For some weird reason, I’m really looking forward to Four. I’m hoping he’s too square and needs to loosen up and get out of his box, though who knows where Kathryn will take it in this brilliant series. Any other number ideas?
39 Comments
Dianne Burch link
10/27/2014 01:17:34 am

Hands down, Kathryn Otoshi is my new found hero. Thank you, Mira!
I am in absolute awe at her ability to convey such complex concepts with simplicity, beauty, joy, creativity. I am starting my instant collection of her series and look forward to the journey she takes us all on as she continues.

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Mira
10/27/2014 05:51:38 am

I feel the same way. Thank you for your lovely comment.

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Kirsti Call link
10/27/2014 01:23:18 am

I can't wait to read TWO! We love ZERO and ONE at our house! Thanks for the fantastic post, Mira!

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Mira
10/27/2014 05:53:23 am

I think Two might be my favorite. It is so unique and creative. Not that the others aren't but this one really resonated for me. Glad that you are a fan too.

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M.J. Marston
10/27/2014 01:43:41 am

Bought Two for our school library last week. As expected it's just as clever and unique as Zero and One ~ highly recommend all three.

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Mira
10/27/2014 05:55:47 am

Thank you M.J. Your kids are lucky to have you. I love how soulful this book is besides being clever and unique. Thank you for commenting :) If you can spring for it, you should have Kathryn come visit your school. Her presentations are outrageously fabulous!!

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Maria Oka
10/27/2014 03:37:45 am

Wow, looks fabulous! Adding to my "to buy" list.

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Mira
10/27/2014 05:57:15 am

Yay Maria!! Who knew numbers could have personalities? Numerologists maybe. :) Fun thing to explore with your kids.

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Stella Jane Stauffer
10/27/2014 04:06:51 am

I love this post. I can hardly wait to get my hands on Kathryns books. So glad you brought her to our attention, Mira.

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Mira
10/27/2014 05:58:36 am

Love you too Stella. Thank you for taking the time to comment xoxo

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Kim Chaffee
10/27/2014 05:07:01 am

Mira, the same thing was happening to me when I was trying to comment on this post and another! So frustrating! Anyway, I'm back and have to say that One is a favorite in my house. It was a gift for my daughter, when she turned 3 from my sister, and we read it all the time. Can't wait to buy and read Two to them! Thanks for always highlighting such amazing books!

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Mira
10/27/2014 06:00:40 am

It sounds weird but much as I loved One, I like Two better. See yes it is weird. Kim thank you for hanging in and commenting. It means a lot and helps me want to keep making more videos of awesome books. You are greatly appreciated.

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Johnell DeWitt link
10/27/2014 05:11:27 am

Well, I don't know what your first post looked like, but this was lovely. I can hear your voice as I read it. Kathryn has got to be one of my favorite PB writers of this generation. She writes books I wish I could have written. And she and a great teacher. :)

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Mira
10/27/2014 06:34:49 am

Johnell thank you for the kind words. Kathryn is pretty darn cool. She was brilliant long before she met me.

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Nancy Piper Davis
10/27/2014 05:19:00 am

Thank you, Mira, for continuing to inspire us. I'm gathering quite the list of books I need to purchase for my private library!

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Mira
10/27/2014 06:38:36 am

So glad that you liked this Nancy. If you can hold off for a week, we are opening our own little bookstore at the Academy to help pay for scholarships. Wahoo!!

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Barbara Baker
10/27/2014 05:54:40 am

Mira, I think it's interesting how you commented on the blue tear and how many attempts that might've taken. I love that you thought of that. Yeah, the images are very nice and draw the reader in by using that wonderful white space.

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Mira
10/27/2014 03:45:30 pm

Barbara, thank you for your comments. It took a lot of skill and imagination to illustrate this book and the use of white space is just about always a winner in contemporary illustration. Thanks for highlighting this.

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Aimee Norris-Haburjak
10/27/2014 06:40:54 am

Beautiful post Mira:) I appreciated you introducing us to Kathryn in one of your courses. Her soulfulness, creativity and simplicity sure do make her books a hit over and over again at our house! Can't wait to buy Two. Hugs!

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:21:11 am

Lovely to hear Aimee, Kathryn is truly wonderful! It seems like you are in love with her as much as I am. And check out her other books, they're all just as beautiful and heartfelt.

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Manju link
10/27/2014 10:07:07 am

Hi Mira! Thank you for sharing Kathryn's books with us. I plan to buy the set for my nephew & niece. Zero is my favorite. Love the big ideas Kathryn explores in all three books.

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:23:50 am

Kathryn is great a converting big concepts into easy to understand packages for kids. Even adults can learn from her books! So glad you're supporting Kathryn too.

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Virginia Lea Rinkel link
10/27/2014 10:54:47 am

This is a special book. Lots of depth and so much emotion in the way the numbers are drawn. I like the 'heart' that 1 and 2 make at the beginning pages. And all the concepts of emotion that are dealt with - pretty amazing. Thank you for sharing this book.

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:25:48 am

It's pretty amazing how cute and soulful she can make numbers feel. Thank for commenting Virginia!

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Debbie Best
10/27/2014 11:03:06 am

Mira, thank you for showing the beauty and creativity that can be written with numbers. Amazing, isn't it? Kathyrn truly placed a twist on many universal themes to definitely capture a child's interest.Great idea! Great concept!

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:26:54 am

Kathryn is amazing isn't she?? Can't wait for more books from her.

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Romelle Broas link
10/27/2014 01:26:22 pm

Thanks for sharing, Mira! I've been a fan of Kathryn since I heard her speak at our SCBWI local conference in Oakland. She is mesmerizing and yes, charming like her books! I own Zero and One so now I will have to get my hands on Four! I love the way you read your books, Mira. You make every book sound delicious!

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Romelle Broas link
10/27/2014 01:29:27 pm

Oops, I am jumping ahead of myself. I meant to say, I can't wait to get my hands on TWO! Four will come later... :)

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:31:26 am

Haha, Romelle, I cant wait for Four either! If Kathryn keeps going I'm sure it will be a beautiful book as well. I'm so glad you got to see Kathryn in person, she's such a charmer.

And in the near future, we'll have our very own bookstore at the Children's Book Academy that helps support our scholarships! And all of Kathryn's books will be up too.

joanne link
10/27/2014 07:31:48 pm

Have only read One so far (by your recomendation, Mira), but will DEFINITELY check out the others. Thanks much!

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:32:30 am

So glad you loved it Joanne, the Children's Book Academy will soon have our own bookshop open that will help support out scholarships! Keep and eye out to support both Kathryn and CBA!

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Virginia Rinkel link
11/1/2014 05:32:21 am

Mira, I'm so glad to have read the intentions of Children's Book Academy to have it's own bookstore. I just supported Brett Curzon with Bill the Fish on his kickstarter campaign and he is hoping to begin his own publishing company in Australia. For all its 'fumbles' sometimes, this is what I love about the internet, even though mine in snails paced slow - to be able to read about all of these wonderful happenings and people in one or related sites. Thank you so much for organizing this new upcoming bookstore and knowing it's proceeds will go for scholarships is truly a leadership avenue.

Pat
10/28/2014 02:07:39 am

Who would have thought to personify numbers and use them to illustrate human relationships? Such a unique and creative book. Thank you for sharing, Mira!

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Mira
10/29/2014 04:33:06 am

She really does have a way with words...and numbers! So glad you enjoyed the video Pat.

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Marsha Diane Arnold link
10/28/2014 06:02:13 am

Kathryn is amazing, isn't she? So talented. I met Kathryn years (decades? :) ) ago when I spoke at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. Kathryn approached me after my talk and invited me to come look at a story she was working on, The Sock Monster. After seeing her MANY talents, I felt honored. We too have stayed friends over the years and Kathryn was one of the last people who visited my McGregor home before I sadly had to leave it. She again had a manuscript to ask my opinion about. Again, I was honored. Congratulations and applause for Kathryn and her books.

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Mira
10/29/2014 05:40:02 am

I'm with you about Kathryn. I'm so grateful to know you as well.

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Kathryn link
10/29/2014 02:27:08 am

Thank you, Mira and everyone, for your wonderful words of support. It is an honor to be here and am grateful to the Children’s Book Academy for providing such a wonderful forum for us all to share our enthusiasm for PBs together! Hip hip – HOORAY!

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Mira
10/29/2014 05:41:29 am

I'm grateful to know you Kathryn and to watch you dazzle us with your art, heart, and smarts. I'm also grateful to be part of this wonderful community xox

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Angela Padron link
11/2/2014 09:54:51 am

I recently read "Two" at B&N last week while in NJ with my son. He loved it (well, he's a math nerd so it was great for him) but yes it did have lots of concepts in it - I haven't seen "Zero" or "One" but I bet my son would love those too.

Reply



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    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome new bloggers!!

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