Kidlitionary

Blog & website of children's book author Tara Lazar Kidlitionary We who work in children’s literature speak a language all our own. No, I’m not talking about “simultaneous submissions” or “stet”. You’ll see what I mean when you read the Kidlitionary! Blubbergasted When you cannot believe someone has never read a Judy Blume book. Barnett Storming Publishing a dozen best-selling, critically-acclaimed books within a ridiculously short time frame. Caldecutt (or Caldenott) Being snubbed for a Caldecott honor. Carpe Read’em Seize the books. Dahlings Fans of Roald Dahl, particularly those of the female persuasion. Karma When good things come to you after reading a Karma Wilson book. Kate Plus Eight When Kate DiCamillo appears on Betsy Bird’s blog. Lichtenhold The hug a child gives to a picture book they love. Most commonly witnessed with books by Tom Lichtenheld. Meter Maids Rhyming geniuses who fix meter problems, most notably Corey Rosen Schwartz and Tiffany Strelitz Haber. Motown Northampton, Massachusetts, home to Mo Willems. Raiders of the Last ARC Book bloggers and eBay sellers who grab the last BEA or ALA ARCs before librarians can. Revisionist History   The multiple Word docs that exist for one picture book manuscript. Rexipe When you have all the ingredients to create a stellar picture book. “Way to be like Adam! You’ve got the Rexipe.” Santatigans 1. Jocularity and mayhem caused by reading a Dan Santat book. 2. Fans of Dan Santat. 3. Jocularity and mayhem perpetrated by Dan Santat. Selznicked When someone is not acknowledged for his or her contribution. “They didn’t thank you. Man, you were Selznicked!” (Origin: 2012 Oscars.) Shel Shocked The despair and horror you feel after taking a terrible author head shot. Swagger The feeling of superiority while scoring awesome SWAG from your favorite author. Wiesner The wisdom that accompanies creating a wordless picture book spread. “You’d be Wiesner to leave the text out.” Zka Syndrome Confusing Jon Scieszka with Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Relax; this is a curable condition. Related affliction: confusing Peter Brown with Peter Reynolds (but it doesn’t have as cool a name). . Got an entry for the Kidlitionary? Please leave it in the comments!