Two links..and a short note

So it's possible the newest Disney princess movie could have racist elements? I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked. (Or maybe, as the article suggests, classist? Which seems even more likely...)

I love The Guardian's coverage of literature. This little piece on a new contract that requires children's book writers not to misbehave is a classic. Read the comments, too.

Today is Nick's birthday, and he is currently happily engrossed in a volume of Asterix stories that his sister gave him. He acquired one in French, while we were in France, and the volume she bought includes that one in English. Go, Mariah! He has also--so far--received copies of The Little Prince, The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (he finished The Alchemyst yesterday), and The Discworld Graphic Novels. And all this is before today's mail has arrived...

Nick reviews Rapunzel's Revenge

I got an ARC of Rapunzel's Revenge along with HTDYF, and I think that's a pretty good pairing. Both are irreverent takes on fantasy; both are smart and funny; both feature kick-ass heroines. Because Nick is a graphic novel fan, I handed Rapunzel's Revenge over to him as soon as I finished it, and he sat almost motionless on the couch until he was done with it. (He did take a break for lunch and for his afternoon day camp, but I had to nudge him a bit.)

When I asked him what he liked about it, here's what he said.

Well, it helps that I like graphic novels. And I like when they take something everyone knows, and it's all boring, and they say, no, that's wrong, it really happened in this awesome way.

He also suggests a sequel in which Rapunzel and Jack team up again and she dispatches the giant for him. What do you think, Hales? Are you up for it?

Details: Rapunzel's Revenge is by Shannon Hale (author of The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, Princess Academy, Austenland, etc.), Dean Hale (her husband), and Nathan Hale, the illustrator, who is no relation to either other Hale. I received an ARC from the publisher; the book is due out in August.

Also: now available--The Explosionist, by Jenny Davidson. Get it while it's hot!

Shhh...

I'm thinking.

And reading, and writing--but not so much here. I did, however, just read The Arrival (I know, I know, everyone already did). I wish I could find some appropriately wordless way to express how wonderful the book is, but for better or worse, I only do words. Trust me, though: it's marvelous, in every sense.