Pablo Neruda’s Question Poems, Now Translated and Illustrated for Children
A new bilingual, illustrated selection of Neruda’s question poems from Libro de las Preguntas (Book of Questions) has been published by Enchanted Lion Books for children. Compiled throughout the poet’s life and published a year after his death in 1973, Neruda’s question poems ask things like, “Who shouted for joy at the birth of the color blue? When I look once more at the sea, does the sea see me or not see me? Why do the waves ask me the same questions I ask them?” Now children will have the opportunity to explore these questions along with the Chilean poet. “Children are constantly asking things because in their eyes, everything is new. So they ask questions to structure the world they’re coming into,” said Paloma Valdivia, the book’s illustrator. This selection of the poet’s work is a curated collection of 70 questions of the 300+ ones Neruda asked. Valdivia’s illustrations accompany the poems in large fold-out pages.
Blake Lively to Direct Adaptation of Graphic Novel Seconds
Blake Lively will make her feature directorial debut with an upcoming film adaptation of the graphic novel Seconds, created by Bryan Lee O’Mally. The script for Seconds was written by Edgar Wright, who previously helmed the first adaptation of an O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Wright will also produce the film, alongside Marc Platt.
Oprah Defends Keeping American Dirt in Book Club After Controversy
Oprah Winfrey says she has no regrets about choosing the controversial novel American Dirt as an official Oprah’s Book Club pick. In the inaugural episode of ABC News’ literary podcast The Book Case, which released today, Winfrey explained why she chose to stick with the title despite criticisms and calls to reconsider. “I had chosen that book and stood by that book because the truth of the matter is, I really loved the book,” Winfrey said. “And that was the only reason I was choosing the book, because I really loved the book. And even though lots of people were asking me now to disown that, I’d already owned it, so I wasn’t going to go back on my word and now say, ‘Well, because you think she shouldn’t have written the book, I no longer liked the book.'” The novel in question received criticism from the Latine community, who argued that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes and read as “trauma porn.” 82 diverse writers wrote a letter to Winfrey asking her to reconsider her pick. Those writers, which included Carmen Maria Machado, Daniel José Older, and R.O. Kwon, called the book “exploitative, oversimplified, and ill-informed” and cited accusations that the story stole from other Latine writers’ works.
Comic Book Legend Neal Adams Has Died at 80
From creating iconic superheroes and groundbreaking storylines to fighting for creator rights, Neal Adams was a legendary comic book artist.