Janet Wong can’t be contained by labels like “author” or “poet.”

I’d add to that “Oral Illustrator.”

Two of my favorites are Buzz and Apple Pie Fourth of July. She paints pictures with words.

Read her poetry out loud for a special treat. When I read Janet’s poetry, my imagination makes its own pictures.

Her views on children’s literature today are just as captivating.

Janet, what’s right about children’s literature?

eBooks! A friend recently told me about his 11-year-old son who never really liked to read—until he got an iPad last month. My friend suggested that his son buy an eBook. The boy reluctantly downloaded a free sample chapter. Then the boy started tinkering. First he changed the font size to HUGE. Then he changed the white background to black, and the type to white. The white words popped off the page. Ten minutes later, the boy had devoured the sample chapter, bought the whole book (a regular-length teen novel), and turned it (with the huge font) into a 4000-page book event. He customized the book so it works for him. Pretty neat, I think!

From your perspective, what can make that “good” better?

I have three wishes:

#1: I wish people would stop thinking of eBooks as a threat to print books. Print books are like ice cream; eBooks are Pinkberry frozen yogurt. It’s not a case of “either/or”; let’s indulge in both.

#2: I want more people to realize that you don’t need a Kindle, iPad, or Nook to read an eBook. Teachers can download eBooks onto their regular computers and project them onto a screen so the whole class can read a poem at the same time. Parents can download eBooks onto their cell phones for their kids to read when they’re waiting in line at the post office. I’d love to see poetry squeezed into our busy daily lives a minute at a time!

#3: I wish more eBooks were priced under $5. I deliberately set the prices of my eBooks at 99 cents and $3.99 because I feel that we need more high-quality yet affordable books.

(Okay, #4: Wouldn’t it be great if there were cheap little LCD projectors that could let you read on the wall while you’re soaking in a lavender bubble bath?)
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Janet S. Wong is the author of 23 books for children and teens, including Me And Rolly Maloo, a Horace Mann Upstanders Award Honor Book (given to a book with a character who stands up for what is right). Janet has been honored with the Claremont Stone Center Recognition of Merit, the IRA Celebrate Literacy Award, and her appointment to two terms on the NCTE Commission on Literature and also two terms on the Excellence in Children’s Poetry Award Committee. A frequent speaker at schools and conferences all over the world, she has performed at the White House and her work has been featured on CNN, Fine Living’s “Radical Sabbatical,” and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Janet’s most recent two books are eBooks: PoetryTagTime and Once Upon A Tiger.

Every time a rabbit appears in a new Nancy Carlson picture book, I think of the magic in her writing and illustrating.

That’s right. Pulling rabbits out of hats. It happens whenever I read one of her titles to children. Like those young listeners, I don’t know how she does it every time. Magicians shouldn’t reveal their secrets. But I’m glad she keeps that magic touch.

Nancy, what’s good right now about children’s literature?

Well, in picture books it is exciting! I love the new clean look in a lot of the art. There is a wonderful simplicity in lots of the books which I really like. There is also a trend for art to look a bit older…maybe from my era the 50s and 60s, Marla Frazee comes to mind. I love her art SO MUCH. Her style reminds me of Make Way For Ducklings. She is such an awesome draft person. Some of the new picture books are also nicely designed…young artists are learning from the master Lane Smith!( His wife Molly Leach designs his books.)

I am excited about picture books! They are getting better and better. There aren’t as many being published…but the new ones that I saw coming out new this year are gems! I just hope parents take the time to look beyond the what they see on TV and take a chance with  picture book, with a character not all involved in the license business! MY favorite picture book this year is Boss Baby by Marla Frazee.

I am also very excited to see all the wonderful poetry books being published. Thank you Joyce Sidman and many others! My son learned to read from poetry books because he could not sit still for a longer story. The artwork in poetry books is stunning! My students love Susan Marie Swanson‘s book The House in the Night for the art and her gentle words. There is so much to be excited about… I just hope libraries can continue to have youth librarians on staff so they can share all the wonderful new books and old classics with the public!

From your perspective, what can make that “good” better?

Promote picture books for children do not push them into chapter books before they are ready! Keep the gimmicky stuff out…if we can or keep it a a minimum!  Respect children as a sophisticated audience. TV show books not be promoted as much as the classics or other fine picture books! Keep your eye on good tales with good characters that teach and help children through the ups and downs in life.

There will be digital out there but lets try to keep a balance between both mediums.

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Nancy Carlson‘s newest book is Henry and the Bully. Her current project is illustrating Zip It for Carolrhoda. A new member of the Kerlan Board, she teaches all over the Twin Cities at The Loft. Split Rock, College of Visual Arts, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where she graduated in printmaking. She adds, “Please check out my daily doodle on my blog where I just have fun using my imagination!”

Being bilingual is admirable. Speaking nine languages? Wow!

Author Margo Sorenson has that “wow” factor. On her website, the former educator’s 27 books divide into nine distinct categories, far beyond mere fiction or nonfiction.

Margo, what’s the good news about children’s literature right now?

Children’s literature today continues to stretch boundaries of young readers’ imaginations, not only allowing children to experience unique and incredible adventures, but also promoting development of empathy and compassion.  The opportunity for children to transform written words into a vivid inner reality that broadens horizons and enriches their young lives is the true gift of children’s literature—a gift that strictly visual media will never be able to match.

From your perspective, what can make that “good” better?

As recent brain research has pointed out, like it or not, our brains are being rewired because of the digital age (“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic, July/August 2008).  The possibilities for children’s literature to accommodate and utilize this rewiring through inventive plots and characterizations and themes, as well as through book apps and add-ons are going to be vital in ensuring that children’s literature remains at the forefront of stretching children’s imaginations.  Does this mean, “Away with print books!”?  Most certainly not!  But, to keep pace with the digital revolution, children’s writers and publishers should continue to think outside the box and assess how what they’re writing and publishing will fit into this new paradigm.  Children’s literature will always stretch imaginations and it will stretch them in ways we cannot even envision now.  But, because the world of children’s literature is all about imagination, we are all up to the task!

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A National Milken Educator and author of 27 books for young readers, Margo Sorenson scrambles to keep up with her grandchildren’s expanding universes in this new digital age. Her most recent picture book, Aloha for Carol Ann, (Marimba Books/Just Us Books), illustrated by Priscilla Garcia Burris, was published in March 2011. You can read more about Margo’s books and view her other links on her website.

You think debating politics or religion can be tricky? Try to make a case for your one favorite Avi book.

The award-winning author remains versatile, fresh and unpredictable.

Avi, what’s the good news about children’s literature right now?

My reading is not so wide or in such depth that I can react to the field in general.  But from what I have read and experienced, there is much first rate writing.  Current editors are often telling me that the quality of submissions has never been better.  At the same time, our young readers, with their wonderful capacity to absorb good literature as experience, continue to ignore the test-driven culture and read on.

From your perspective, what can be done to make that “good” even better?

The children’s literature community needs to be as supportive as possible to teachers and librarians, who are under constant attack these days.  It is not a coincidence that these professionals are mostly women, and their role in society is the care and education of young people.  The Establishment has no qualms about attacking the most vulnerable in our society.

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Beloved author of the Poppy books, Newbery Award winner Crispin: the Cross of Lead, Newbery Honor books The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing but the Truth, and many other award-winning titles, Avi delights audiences with readings from his books and insights into the writing of children’s books. He writes in a variety of genres, including historical fiction, fantasy, comedy, young adult, and animal tales. Avi lives and writes in Denver, Colorado.