Comments for Nine Kinds of Pie http://www.philnel.com Philip Nel's Blog Thu, 17 May 2012 20:29:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Can Censoring a Children’s Book Remove Its Prejudices? by BCruz http://www.philnel.com/2010/09/19/censoring-ideology/#comment-6489 BCruz Thu, 17 May 2012 20:29:58 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=248#comment-6489 I have the original Doctor Doolittle and read it to my 5 and 7 year old. As adults we read into these books more than we should. To my kids, monkeys are monkeys and my kids are happy that they become well. I bird playing a "ruse" with the king was just a "ruse" and not because the King was any color. They see the animals as they are and the Dr as someone that is helping. At no time have my kids asked to see where this is all happening on a globe and think it is all pretend. I have the original Doctor Doolittle and read it to my 5 and 7 year old. As adults we read into these books more than we should. To my kids, monkeys are monkeys and my kids are happy that they become well. I bird playing a “ruse” with the king was just a “ruse” and not because the King was any color. They see the animals as they are and the Dr as someone that is helping. At no time have my kids asked to see where this is all happening on a globe and think it is all pretend.

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Tuesday by Gwen http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/16/summer4/#comment-6408 Gwen Thu, 17 May 2012 12:51:19 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1872#comment-6408 Yes, I know - works better in theory than in practice. I wonder if we couldn't set up a comics sub-group that met at every ChLA for a yearly round-up of comics theory as it relates to our field? That might be both profitable & low-stress in terms of time. Something to think about. Yes, I know – works better in theory than in practice. I wonder if we couldn’t set up a comics sub-group that met at every ChLA for a yearly round-up of comics theory as it relates to our field? That might be both profitable & low-stress in terms of time. Something to think about.

]]> Comment on Humanities Majors Learn More by Dan http://www.philnel.com/2011/01/18/nodrift/#comment-6360 Dan Thu, 17 May 2012 00:02:57 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=779#comment-6360 Just a small note: we also have to be careful about labeling humanities 'slackers,' at least post-college. Artists, writers, etc, face a long road, and success is not measured in year-end bonuses. Or even salaries. But in tiny victories. Chapters. Short stories. Workshops. Jonathan Larson wrote "Rent" over seven years or so while he waited tables. In fact, he waited tables up until the off-broadway opening, I think. When I was teaching, and had to work Orientation days, I had an essay that for the life of me I can't find anymore, titled, "Do you want fries with that?" In it, the author pulled the data from LSATs, and other aptitude tests, and showed how humanities majors blow the doors off other majors in scoring. Just a small note: we also have to be careful about labeling humanities ‘slackers,’ at least post-college. Artists, writers, etc, face a long road, and success is not measured in year-end bonuses. Or even salaries. But in tiny victories. Chapters. Short stories. Workshops. Jonathan Larson wrote “Rent” over seven years or so while he waited tables. In fact, he waited tables up until the off-broadway opening, I think.

When I was teaching, and had to work Orientation days, I had an essay that for the life of me I can’t find anymore, titled, “Do you want fries with that?” In it, the author pulled the data from LSATs, and other aptitude tests, and showed how humanities majors blow the doors off other majors in scoring.

]]> Comment on In or Out?: Crockett Johnson, Ruth Krauss, Sexuality, Biography by Philip Nel http://www.philnel.com/2011/02/17/in-or-out/#comment-6356 Philip Nel Wed, 16 May 2012 22:13:35 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=835#comment-6356 Jackie: I ended up including a brief mention of Maurice's sexuality and Remy's. My reasoning is reflected in the conversation above -- I didn't want to keep queerness silent. If we are ever to teach the people of North Carolina (and Kansas and etc. etc.) that gay people are human (and thus deserving of human rights), then we need to do a better job making queer lives visible. Having said that, I also note that -- in this time period -- sexuality was not a subject of discussion (as you note, above). Jackie: I ended up including a brief mention of Maurice’s sexuality and Remy’s. My reasoning is reflected in the conversation above — I didn’t want to keep queerness silent. If we are ever to teach the people of North Carolina (and Kansas and etc. etc.) that gay people are human (and thus deserving of human rights), then we need to do a better job making queer lives visible. Having said that, I also note that — in this time period — sexuality was not a subject of discussion (as you note, above).

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Tuesday by Philip Nel http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/16/summer4/#comment-6355 Philip Nel Wed, 16 May 2012 22:09:51 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1872#comment-6355 Gwen: sounds cool, in theory. In practice, well, how often are we talking about? That is to say: I think I could (and would!) learn a lot from such a conversation. However, I'm also a bit leery of open-ended academic commitments. Do we meet, say, once a term? Set up a forum a conference? I dig it and love the idea, but am kinda swamped, ya know? So, this is <em>not</em> me attempting to evade, but rather seeking clarification prior to committing. Teya (or may I call you frank?): Thanks! 1. You're right. In fact, in an attempt to be scrupulous, I have in fact been under-reporting the time spent working. Dan and I <em>did</em> talk about academic stuff -- the work he's doing, the work I'm doing, and his offer to connect me with a Wichita bookstore so that I can give a talk there (to promote this fall's books). And though I <em>could</em> have counted <em>The Avengers</em> film this weekend, I didn't. 2. Charles Hatfield is editing a section of <em>The Children's Literature Association Quarterly</em> (or perhaps a whole issue?) which will feature work from the four of us on the MLA panel "Why Comics Are and Are Not Picture Books" (Seattle, Jan. 2012) and a contribution from Nathalie op de Beeck. My general sense is that the issue may be out later this year. 3. More mundanity coming your way in about 7 hours (when I post today's narrative [or non-narrative?] of ordinariness). Gwen: sounds cool, in theory. In practice, well, how often are we talking about? That is to say: I think I could (and would!) learn a lot from such a conversation. However, I’m also a bit leery of open-ended academic commitments. Do we meet, say, once a term? Set up a forum a conference? I dig it and love the idea, but am kinda swamped, ya know? So, this is not me attempting to evade, but rather seeking clarification prior to committing.

Teya (or may I call you frank?): Thanks!
1. You’re right. In fact, in an attempt to be scrupulous, I have in fact been under-reporting the time spent working. Dan and I did talk about academic stuff — the work he’s doing, the work I’m doing, and his offer to connect me with a Wichita bookstore so that I can give a talk there (to promote this fall’s books). And though I could have counted The Avengers film this weekend, I didn’t.
2. Charles Hatfield is editing a section of The Children’s Literature Association Quarterly (or perhaps a whole issue?) which will feature work from the four of us on the MLA panel “Why Comics Are and Are Not Picture Books” (Seattle, Jan. 2012) and a contribution from Nathalie op de Beeck. My general sense is that the issue may be out later this year.
3. More mundanity coming your way in about 7 hours (when I post today’s narrative [or non-narrative?] of ordinariness).

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Sunday by Philip Nel http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/14/summer2/#comment-6340 Philip Nel Wed, 16 May 2012 19:24:41 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1861#comment-6340 Yes, visiting Sister Linda, Niece Emily, & Brother-in-Law Michel! Thought that was clear, above, but have added parenthetical just to clarify! Yes, visiting Sister Linda, Niece Emily, & Brother-in-Law Michel! Thought that was clear, above, but have added parenthetical just to clarify!

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Sunday by Sister Linda http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/14/summer2/#comment-6336 Sister Linda Wed, 16 May 2012 19:17:32 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1861#comment-6336 Just one small correction or footnote ... you are coming to visit Sister Linda, and Your Niece and her expansive and ever-expanding library of Children's Literature that is largely your creation! Just one small correction or footnote … you are coming to visit Sister Linda, and Your Niece and her expansive and ever-expanding library of Children’s Literature that is largely your creation!

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Tuesday by Teya Rosenberg http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/16/summer4/#comment-6282 Teya Rosenberg Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:44 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1872#comment-6282 Hi Phil, I've a couple, maybe three, comments: 1. Lunch with colleague-friend: I did that yesterday too, and I think at least 40% of that lunch and almost any meal I have with colleague-friends counts as professional time. Ranting about things that went wrong in the last semester's classes, and possible solutions, latest writing project and research finds/woes, and university business in general: inevitably these topics are part of sitting down and having time to talk. 2. Do let us know where and when the article on comics and picture books will make a public appearance; that topic came up in my grad class this past semester and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. 3. The blog may seem boring to you, but the mundane quality is exactly what is useful, and to be frank (not Teya?), reassuring. Thanks for the record. Cheers, Teya Hi Phil,
I’ve a couple, maybe three, comments:
1. Lunch with colleague-friend: I did that yesterday too, and I think at least 40% of that lunch and almost any meal I have with colleague-friends counts as professional time. Ranting about things that went wrong in the last semester’s classes, and possible solutions, latest writing project and research finds/woes, and university business in general: inevitably these topics are part of sitting down and having time to talk.
2. Do let us know where and when the article on comics and picture books will make a public appearance; that topic came up in my grad class this past semester and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
3. The blog may seem boring to you, but the mundane quality is exactly what is useful, and to be frank (not Teya?), reassuring. Thanks for the record.
Cheers,
Teya

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Tuesday by Gwen http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/16/summer4/#comment-6274 Gwen Wed, 16 May 2012 11:51:31 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1872#comment-6274 Hey, Phil, what if a bunch of us set up a master class in comics narrative reading group from the scholarly perspective? I know that an online discussion of children's lit has gone on from time to time, and I'm not sure how successfully, but gosh, I'd like to talk comics theory with other people who are as invested in the subject and who would keep up the conversation. Maybe this is something we could take up at ChLA in June. Last year, I ran a comics theory discussion group with my grad students, but I think I would get something different from such a discussion with peers. Let me know what you think. PS: Love this series. Hey, Phil, what if a bunch of us set up a master class in comics narrative reading group from the scholarly perspective? I know that an online discussion of children’s lit has gone on from time to time, and I’m not sure how successfully, but gosh, I’d like to talk comics theory with other people who are as invested in the subject and who would keep up the conversation. Maybe this is something we could take up at ChLA in June. Last year, I ran a comics theory discussion group with my grad students, but I think I would get something different from such a discussion with peers. Let me know what you think. PS: Love this series.

]]> Comment on What Do Professors Do All Summer? Monday by Shannon http://www.philnel.com/2012/05/15/summer3/#comment-6172 Shannon Tue, 15 May 2012 06:42:24 +0000 http://www.philnel.com/?p=1867#comment-6172 As a weak, lazy asthmatic training for my first half marathon in October, I am mostly impressed that you ran 4 miles in 44 minutes! I also love these posts - good, realistic perspective as I start to feel the PhD urge every now and then. As a weak, lazy asthmatic training for my first half marathon in October, I am mostly impressed that you ran 4 miles in 44 minutes! I also love these posts – good, realistic perspective as I start to feel the PhD urge every now and then.

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