Web Newberys (August 20)

More noteworthy posts on kids’ books and culture:

1.  Soccer Star Signs Middle-Grade Contract: If you’re daughter loves soccer, especially Olympic soccer star Alex Morgan, keep an eye out for her upcoming soccer series, the Kicks.

2.  Libraries Doubling as Post Offices?  Strength in numbers?  Or piling cultural artifacts on the same sinking ship?

3.  Mo Willems’ Pigeon News:  On October 2, Mo Willems releases a new book called Don’t Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book!.  Very excited about that, considering his Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! is now my younger, non-book-loving daughter’s favorite new library gem.  And mine too.  Yes, it contains a naughty protagonist, like many other kids’ books.  But in this case, instead of celebrating his naughtiness and being invited to join in, your child has to play the part of parents and tell that pigeon to GO TO SLEEP.  Perfect combination of fun and moral high ground.

4.  Batman and Jesus:  There’s been quite a lot of brain-wrinkling over whether Batman is Jesus, knows Jesus, or met him at a college party.  I love the discussion, and I’m so glad folks are thinking about it.  Want my two cents?  The solution is a lot simpler than Glenn or Carter (see Carter’s Gospel Coalition article here) think.  Batman, like everyone, is 1) made it God’s image and as such points to Christ in some way, but 2) he’s also very much not Jesus.  That’s why you can always find similarities and differences to Christ in our fictional heroes–but you’ll need the Bible to find the real thing.  (And if you’re really interested in more of my thoughts, see my web review at WORLD.)

5.  Free Books: Lots of free books at When You Rise’s anniversary party.  Ya’ll tell them I said hello!

Anybody else have fun or interesting book-related posts to share?  Please feel free to post below!