IttoUsagi was...is...here.

The Writer's Guild of America has voted to strike, and I want to get out ahead of something Tumblr is bad about doing and encourage y'all to PLEASE get your information about the strike from the guild itself, not from random people on Tumblr telling you it's "actually" about this or that.

The WGA wants the public to understand why they are striking. They have plenty of info available that is written with a general audience in mind.

WGA.org is the official website of the Writer's Guild of America West.

WGAwest is on Twitter and posting extensively about the negotiations and strike. This account is linked from the WGA website.

WGA also has a Linktree (linked from their Twitter bio) with more information about the strike, including their own Twitter threads about various strike issues, as well as articles in the media.

WGA Contract 2023 is a website full of information about the strike. It is one of the first links in the Linktree above. It's a great resource if you want to get deeper into the subject. There is a FAQ.

Alcatoe (a witch) is the most reclusive inhabitant of Plum Woods, which is also home to ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and more. Stovetop, her kettle dog, keeps her company, and even makes tea when asked. One night during a full moon Alcatoe takes fresh jam buns to the Witches Social Club, where she and others will discuss the Annual Feast. The event is meant to smooth things over between the witches and non-witches after Alcatoe helped three kids beat an unpleasant local gardener, Mr. Pokeweed, in a vegetable pageant. Most of the book is the story of what happened after the kids sought Alcatoe's help, of them finding the necessary ingredients for and dealing with the consequences of Alcatoe's enchanted vegetable spell.

This lovely book is a Halloween-ish tale without much of a sense of danger. I love Lenkiewicz's illustrations, and the colors are a real standout, too. I think most kids who are starting to make their way through chapter books would enjoy it, as would older kids and parents.

Pebble and Wren by Chris Hallbeck. Clarion Books, 2023. 9780358541288. 240pp. http://www.powells.com/book/-9780358541288?partnerid=34778&p_bt

This graphic novel is an expanded, full-color version of Library Comic co-creator Chris Hallbeck's all-ages webcomic, Pebble and Wren!

I cannot recommend this webcomic enough -- it has amazing characters, wonderful art, and a kindness that is pure Chris. It belongs in all libraries that have books for kids and families.

It's time for Pebble to leave his parents and go into the human world, and he's a little freaked out. But he has to go in order to unlock his true monster skills. After wandering around for a bit he knocks on a door and meets Wren and her papa and her dad. They invite him to stay a while. Wren loves scary things, and lucky for Pebble she's willing to coach him on what he should do. And lucky for Wren they have lots of food Pebble likes, otherwise he'd likely start eating the furniture. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and of Pebble trying to figure out what his special skills might be.

My favorite part is the end (which I won't give away), but this book has so many moments I love including: Pebble learning about the bones in the human body, Pebble and Wren's Halloween costumes, and of course all of the bits about books and reading.

You can still read the original Pebble and Wren webcomics starting at https://pebbleandwren.thebookofbiff.com/comic/1/

“A public elementary or secondary school shall display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments,” reads SB 1515.

The bill is extremely specific, mandating the size of the poster (at least 16 x 20), and that it be readable from anywhere in the classroom: “in a size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom in which the poster or framed copy is displayed.”

The bill also includes the complete text of the Ten Commandments, in the version ordained by its author, state Senator Phil King, a Republican.

Surplus labor value is stolen by capitalists, given back to themselves as stock buybacks and stagnant worker wages.