>The New Laureate

by Roger Sutton
Jun 13, 2007 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
>Sometime Horn Book contributor Madelyn Travis interviews Britain's new children's laureate Michael Rosen, he of the funny verse and the very sad book. We love Madelyn here because it was her since-third-grade friendship with our Jennifer Brabander that brought Bridget Jones's Diary to the Horn Book long before the rest of you had heard of it.

And if the CBC, LC and Mrs. Cheney et al are listening, I'd love that new "national ambassador for children's literature" gig. Sure, I'm not a famous writer, but I'd know what I was talking about, and I'm a good talker. Plus you wouldn't have that little Jack Prelutsky problem, whose assumption of the Poetry Foundation's "Children's Poet Laureate" position seems to have more effect on his jacket designs than on anything else. Besides, who died and left them God? Oh, that's right.
Roger Sutton
Roger Sutton

Editor Emeritus Roger Sutton was editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc., from 1996-2021. He was previously editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and a children's and young adult librarian. He received his MA in library science from the University of Chicago in 1982 and a BA from Pitzer College in 1978.

4 COMMENTS
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.
Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:
(All fields required)

Rinda M. Byers

>Roger, I dub Thee the official Blogging Ambassador of Children's Literature with plenipotentiary powers from this day forth to blog, speak, and act as Thou dost please wherever Thou canst about any and all aspects of books for children and YA.

P.S. I don't officially belong to anything national--only the local quilting guild...

Posted : Jun 16, 2007 11:18

Roger Sutton

>David, I have to give you credit for pointing out the nekkidness. I read your post at http://excelsiorfile.blogspot.com/search/label/pinsky and filed it away in my brain.

I don't blame Prelutsky so much for taking the cash, nor his publisher for piggybacking; what bugs me is really the National Poetry Foundation's arrogance in naming a "laureate" as if there has been some kind of recognition beyond their own offices. David, I name you Blogger Laureate. See, it's easy!

Mother always warned me about groups who stick "national" in their name.

Posted : Jun 14, 2007 11:29

david elzey

>Thank you, Roger, for noticing the naked emperor in the poetry room.

Posted : Jun 13, 2007 06:37

Anonymous

>First the monkey jokes. Now a throwdown with Prelutsky. This blog is starting to work it!

Posted : Jun 13, 2007 05:10

RELATED 

READ ROGER

Fanfare 2021 Booklist
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

January/February 2022 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Happy Birthday to Me (and Maybe You?): A Note from Me (Oct 26, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

A Note from Me (Oct 8, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

November/December 2021 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
More
RECOMMENDED
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?