You’ve written more than 50 books for adults over many years. What triggered thoughts of writing for young readers?

I believe the thought first came from my publisher, but more importantly, it was encouraged by my wife Joan and my agent, Helen Brann—the two women who own me. Joan and Helen though it might be interesting for me to write a novel for young adults, kind of using the “get them while they’re young” hypothesis. So I wrote Edenville Owls and then The Boxer and the Spy, and this is my third YA novel.

©Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. 2009.

In fall 2010, PBS Kids will debut The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, the first animated TV series based on a Dr. Seuss character. Inspired by the nonfiction Beginner Books series The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, the show will focus on natural science and will complement PBS’s other science-themed preschool programming, including Curious George, Sid the Science Kid and the upcoming Dinosaur Train.

The spark for the show came from Linda Simensky, PBS’s v-p of children’s programming, whose son was a big fan of The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series. She made a connection with Learning Library author Trish Rabe and the idea grew from there.

Lane Smith. Photo: Molly Leach.

Simon Boughton at Roaring Brook Press has bought three new picture books by author/illustrator Lane Smith. The first title, called It’s a Book, is scheduled for publication in fall 2010; the second, Grandpa Green, is scheduled for 2011, with a third to follow in 2012. Boughton called It’s a Book "a subversive manifesto for reading and print in the digital age," and described Grandpa Green as " contemplative and moving, and every bit as distinctive." Steven Malk of Writers House was the agent.

Eden Ross Lipson. Photo: Robbin Gourley.

Eden Ross Lipson, former children’s books editor of the New York Times, and a tireless champion of children's books and literacy, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, at the age of 66. She had been an editor at the New York Times Book Review for 31 years, and had served as its children’s editor from 1984 until her retirement in 2005. She was the author of The New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children (Three Rivers), which is in its third edition. This fall Roaring Brook will publish a picture book written by Lipson, Applesauce Season, about a family tradition, which was illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. See a longer obituary here and read a tribute to Lipson here.

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Arthur the aardvark creator Marc Brown came to town last week to meet the 11-year-old winner of a contest to find a new Arthur character with a disability.

From People: On Tuesday actress Jennifer Garner read Is Your Mama a Llama? aloud to kids in Washington, in her first official act as a Save the Children ambassador.

1. The Awakening. Kelley Armstrong.
   HarperCollins, $19.99
   ISBN 978-0-06-166276-8
2. Evermore. Alyson Noel.
   St. Martin’s Griffin, paper $9.99
   ISBN 978-0-312-53275-8
3. The Graveyard Book. Neil Gaiman.
   HarperCollins, $17.99
   ISBN 978-0-06-053092-1
4. Thirteen Reasons Why. Jay Asher.
   Razorbill, $16.99
   ISBN 978-1-595-14171-2
5. Fragile Eternity. Melissa Marr.
   HarperCollins, $16.99
   ISBN 978-0-06-121471-4

This week Alison gives three doses of artistic inspiration, Elizabeth looks at a crop of new picture books showing gay and lesbian parents, and Josie describes a store event honoring budding writers (and readers). Check out all their latest posts here.