Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

MYSTERIES OF CHILDHOOD

Program 10-10-03-B

Listen (RealAudio) OR Download mp3

Alex Rider, Nancy Drew, The Cat in the Hat, and Harold and the Purple Crayon – for millions of children of all ages, they're some of the most imaginative and mysterious stories around. But as it turns out, the authors sometimes have their own, personal mysteries to share. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll talk with Anthony Horowitz, the creator of the Alex Rider series, about his complicated past. Michael Chabon talks about some of the stories that shaped his childhood. And we'll hear about the radical political origins of some of best known children's books.

SEGMENT 1:

Anthony Horowitz has written dozens of books for children, including the teen superspy series featuring Alex Rider. He's also written for adults, including the critically acclaimed British TV show "Foyle's War". Horowitz tells Anne Strainchamps his special interest in children's fiction has its roots in his own troubled past.

SEGMENT 2:

Ellen Handler Spitz is the author of many books on psychology and aesthetics. She talks with Jim Fleming about her latest - "The Brightening Glance: Imagination and Childhood." Also, Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Michael Chabon has written both for adults and young readers. In a recent book of essays, "Manhood for Amateurs," Chabon tackles his own childhood. Here he tells Steve Paulson how his past still experiences his writing.

SEGMENT 3:

We hear a montage of clips from classic kid books, then Steve Paulson talks with Julia Mickenberg, co-author with Philip Nel of "Tales for Little Rebels." Mickenberg tells Steve that some of the best known children's book writers were longtime political radicals.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 10-10-03-B.

................................................................

Books & CDs:

Michael Chabon, Manhood for Amateurs (Harper)
Anthony Horowitz, Alex Rider: Crocodile Tears (Puffin)
Anthony Horowitz, Alex Rider Stormbreaker
Julia Mickenberg & Philip Nel, Tales for Little Rebels (NYU Press)

Websites:

• Anthony Horowitz
  http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/
• Ellen Handler Spitz
  http://www.ellenhandlerspitz.net/
• Michael Chabon
  http://www.michaelchabon.com/Michael_Chabon/Home.html
• Julia Mickenberg
  http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/ams/faculty/jlm05150

Music:

• After Horowitz
  "Get Me Out of Here" from Alex Rider Operation Stormbreaker soundtrack
• After Spitz
  Carl Orff: Shulwerk Volume One, Musica Poetica, Stucke Fur Xylophon - track 3
• After Chabon
  "With A Little Help from My Friends, Nonato Luiz, from the album Nonato Toca Beatles
• After Mickenberg
  Two things - Couch Jumping - Leaky Crate, from the soundtrack The Cat in the Hat

Distribution dates: week of 10/03/2010 - hour 2 click HERE for timings and cues

Listen (RealAudio) OR Download mp3

................................................................

Questions and comments can be addressed to: ttbook@wpr.org

Wisconsin Public Radio is a service of the
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board
and University of Wisconsin - Extension.

Page design and management by Jim Fleming and Sarah Fleming.

© 2010 WHA Radio and the Board of Regents of the
University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved.