Hands Around the Library

Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books

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Dial Books for Young Readers

(pub. 8.30.2012) 32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya

     and Collages:  Susan L. Roth

C haracters: A librarian and the people of Alexandria, Egypt 

O verview from the jacket flap: 

      "It was a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world: Thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, standing strong. They were forming a human chain to protect the glass building from harm in the midst of widespread protests and chaos. In that moment, the people of Egypt revealed how the love of books and libraries can unite a country, even one in turmoil.
        Now, through lyrical words and gorgeous collage illustrations, this amazing historical moment is brought back to life..."

        

T antalizing taste: 

"That day the whole world heard
his words
and watched
our Alexandria Library,
our Bibliotheca Alexandrina,
with all our people
holding hands
in the perfect circle
surrounding it.

And because together
we all protected
our Bibliotheca Alexandrina,
once upon a time
not long ago,
the library still stands today
holding all of our stories."

                       

and something more: As always, I love the story behind the story, and the author/illustrator connections to Hands Around the Library. "A Note from Susan L. Roth" explains: "If my friend Karen Leggett Abouraya [co-author] hadn't married her Egyptian husband, Tharwat, perhaps she wouldn't know and love Alexandria so much. And certainly if it weren't for Karen's tales of this gorgeous city, I might never have visited Alexandria... 
              When my family and I finally arrived at the library, we stood still, dazzled by the extraordinary space. Outside, the sun sparkled on the Mediterranean Sea and Egyptians bought fresh fish to grill for dinner in the same places where they would soon be marching and protecting their library. When Dr. Serageldin wrote with such pride that the library was safe, thanks to Egypt's youth, I knew right then that Karen and I had to tell their story."
               And I'm so glad they did!  And to learn more about this story and other libraries throughout the world, visit the Hands Around the Library website. 

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Dream Something Big

The Story of the Watts Towers

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Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin)

(pub. 8.18.2011)  40 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top 

A uthor: Diana Hutts Aston
and collages:  Susan L. Roth

C haracters: Simon Rodia and the Watts Towers

 

O verview from the publisher: 

        "Uncle Sam's dream began with something tiny - just one single chip of broken tile that he found on the street. But that little chip became the first building block to a U.S. National Landmark. Day after day, year after year, a young girl named Marguerite watches Uncle Sam turn thousands of seashells, tiles, mirrors, and rocks into a group of glorious, nearly 100-foot-tall towers - which later become known as the Watts Towers..."

 

T antalizing taste: 

       "Uncle Sam was like a spider weaving his web of steel and cement and lacy shadows.'"

and something more:  I learned that the illustrator of this picture book biography, Susan Roth, who now lives in NYC studied art at Mills College.  My connections to Mills College are that my mother-in-law studied there, and in October I'll be on a panel at the norcal SCBWI conference there.  It's such a lovely campus and always a treat to be there.
     I was intrigued to read about Susan Roth's collage illustrations, as described on her website: "All but the first two of her 40 books are illustrated with cut and torn papers from all over the world, and bits of many other things, too: threads, fabrics, wood shavings, photographs, doilies, insides of envelopes, dried flowers. She is always looking for things to glue onto her pictures that she hopes are full of surprises."
     And it's always so interesting to hear about someone's passion, collage in Susan Roth's case:  "I don't paint. Over the years I have developed my collage technique into one which is exclusively faithful to cutting and tearing. From the most complete background papers to the tiniest dots of eyes and I's, I only cut or rip. This has become a real issue for me. I wear my 'no pencils, pens nor paints' sign like a badge of honor." The descriptions of her workspace reminded me of photos of Romare Bearden's studio -- paper and materials everywhere.  The makings of creativity!

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