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• I mention to folks that in my new job I actually don’t work day-to-day with children’s books all that often anymore and they wonder how I’m coping.  As it happens, I’m just ducky.  Since my spare hours are just as chock full of kidlit as before, I honestly don’t feel like I’m missing too much.  I still read my reviews and get my galleys.  But occasionally something will be published and I’ll be hit by an overpowering wave of self-pity.  This week’s, “Why Didn’t I See That?!” kvetch-fest?  Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz by Charles M. Schulz, illustrated by Matt Groening, Raina Telgemeier, and Jeffrey Brown amongst MANY others. And it’s a 2015 title at that.  Waaaaaaaant.

• Meanwhile, another very cool looking book was recently released.  Jules at the Kirkus version of 7-Imp has the skinny on The Complete Alice a.k.a. what you can get me for Christmas.

• I think I could be happy if I just spent the rest of my life reading snarky reviews of that darn rabbit book. First there was Travis.  Then Roger.  And yes, I know that the more we talk about the bunny monstrosity the more time it will take before it goes away.  But we have such a lovely literary community there of mutual appreciation that when we are actually allowed to dislike something, it has a tendency to go to our heads.  Wascally wabbit.

• Sure, they’re a mammoth publishing entity of massive production and countless staff but . . . awww. Look what Harper Collins did for Harold’s birthday.  Ain’t it sweet?

Hmm. Sounds good at first. The headline reads, “Tired of stereotypical characters in books for girls, this dad wrote his own.”  Then it shows a book of various professions helmed by women in an abecedarian fashion.  It’s no Rad American Women A to Z but it’ll do.  Except . . . when you get to “L”.  I don’t generally get all hot under the collar when folks stereotype my profession, but COME ON, MAN.  Shoot, it’s images like that that kept me out of the profession in the first place.

• File this one away in the It Isn’t Just Me drawer.  Some of you may be aware that before I post an episode of Fuse #8 TV, a series where I interview authors and illustrators in a free and easy manner, I always begin with a bit of “Reading (Too Much Into) Picture Books”.  This is a series where I acknowledge (without actually saying outright) that when a parent reads a picture book too many times to a small child, they start to conjure up some pretty crazy theories about the text.  Well, thanks in large part to a recent New Yorker profile of Sandra Boynton by Ian Bogost, I see that I am not alone.  I’m actually in awe of his take on But Not the Hippopotamus.  The North America vs. Africa vs. Central America theory?  Brilliant!  By the way, my most ambitious re-interpretation will preface my Fuse #8 TV episode this coming Thursday.  Be prepared for a truly wacky one.

• Okay. That’s it. No one’s allowed to quit their blogs anymore.  I like the blogs that I like.  I may not check them every day but I like the reliability of visiting them and seeing something new.  And I get very sad indeed when the best ones fall by the wayside.  I mean, let’s say someone walked up to you and asked, “What’s the best children’s literature blog where real kids review real books . . . and it’s fun to read?”  You would answer without hesitation (if you were me, that is), “Aaron Zenz’s Bookie Woogie blog, of course!”  Well, here’s the thing.  The blog?  It’s had a nice run.  Seven years worth, in fact.  And now it’s done.  Over.  Kaputski.  And we’re all just a little bit sadder today. *sigh*

• Me Stuff: First off, I want to bow down low and thank profusely all the folks who came out for my joint SCBWI-IL/Center for Teaching through Children’s Books welcoming party last week.  It was, without a doubt, the BEST welcome party I have ever had, bar none.  I even signed someone’s cookie (that’s a first!).  If you live in the Chicago area and missed it, never fear.  You could come on out to EPL and see me present on the topic of picture books rather soon.  Yes, the very kind and talented Brian Wilson has allowed me to join him on his annual Best Picture Books Presentation.  I’ll get to talk about some of my too little lauded favorites of 2015, which is just a joy.  Finally, Chicago Magazine interviewed me recently.  They’re using the same photo from my Chicago Tribune interview, which is confusing, but the talk is entirely different.  It was awfully fun to do too.

• In my interview I actually mention The Guinness Book of World Records a fair amount.  Rather appropriate since I recently learned that the book Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table has been selected by the Points of Light Foundation as the book to break Guinness World Record for the number of children being read to in a 24-hour period. Part of the Foundation’s “Read Across the Globe” initiative to raise awareness on the global literacy crisis, volunteers all over the world will read the book next Monday, October 19. Here’s a news article and a tv news report that say more about it.  Thanks to Philip Lee for the links.

• Did you see?  They’re releasing Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman.  Wouldn’t be particularly notable aside from the fact that it’s always nice to see diverse books back in print . . . except something’s a bit different from the last time it was printed.  Did you notice what it was?  Debbie Reese most certainly did.

• In case you missed it (like me) there was a new brouhaha last week.  This time it involved author Meg Rosoff.  There’s a recap over at Reading While White which breaks it down.  Aren’t recaps great?  There should be more of them out there these days.

• Each year I try to write a review of at least one self-published book.  It can be a tricky affair since so many of them make common missteps.  That’s why I really appreciated the ShelfTalker piece When a Self-Published Book Is Done Right.  There really are some great ones out there.  Finding them is often the struggle, but when they work, they work.

• By the way, I just want to give a shout out to The Curious Reader Store over in Glen Rock, NJ.  My buddy Tucker Stone was recently there and he mentioned that they had a particular love for Wild Things there.  Thanks, guys (but particularly Sally)! We do appreciate it.

• Daily Image:

The title of this piece is 15+ Book-Inspired Pieces Of Jewelry For Bookworms, which you’ll see is a bit of a stretch. Still and all, I do like these Labyrinth earrings:

by Rebecca Grose
SoCal Public Relations
www.SoCalPR.net
[email protected]

Recently, I had an opportunity to ask a few questions of Ann Diener, co-owner of The Yellow Book Road, a children’s-only bookstore near San Diego, to give us a little insight into their world. Here is part 2 of that interview (scroll down this page to read Part 1 of this interview).

What have you found to be the best way(s) to promote an event? And how can authors/publicists help make an event more successful?

The best way we have to promote the events is through our email list which has about 2000 members. We also occasionally get placed in the calendar of events on the Book Page of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The San Diego Family Magazine is widely read and is another place we submit events. We will be getting a new web page soon which will greatly improve our advertising, and we now have a Yellow Book Road Facebook page. We encourage the author/publicist to help get the word out by alerting their fanbase and posting the event on their website or blog, sending out email announcements, or getting in touch personally with any media or educational contacts they may have in our area.

In your experience, how have book sales been for author events?

When school groups come to the store, I would estimate that only about 20% of the kids buy the books. The school library tech usually makes of point of purchasing a copy for the school library. An in store event like Fancy Nancy brought in higher sales as each girl had to have a copy! The Patricia Polacco event was spread over four days, combining the store appearance for the public with local school visits, and it was a great success. I think the authors that most appeal to the teachers brings the store the greatest exposure and profit.

What about the author bringing treats, tchotchkes or other giveaways – does that make an event more successful or have an impact on sales?

It is nice when the authors give out little mementos to the kids because then the children can show something when they go home and it keeps the memories fresh. However, most of the sales are determined ahead with school visits and so there is no monetary difference.

In general, will you accept promotional materials (posters, bookmarks, etc) from local authors/illustrators for your store, and how are they used?

Again, if the author is traditionally published, not self-published, we welcome bookmarks and posters which we display. We always create a display for a future visiting author and welcome anything to add to the books.

What are your thoughts on self-published books and authors? What’s your policy for POD books and those without returns? Do you consider them? If not, why?

When I first began the store, I thought I should help the self-published, but I soon realized what a difference there is in the quality of a published book versus a self-published book. Also a self-published book costs so much more because the person has paid for the publishing. I have grown more careful in what is put on our shelves and who we have for events. I now try to focus on works from an established publisher that have had editing, and thus, are quality items.

Do you handle selling books at events outside your bookstore, and if so, how does this work?

We sell as much as we can outside of the store because we want to survive. We do school carnivals, educational conferences, vendor events, public library ev

Yesterday I returned from Minneapolis and already I can’t wait to get back!  Those of you who will be attending the 2010 Kidlitosphere Conference probably feel the same way.  Unfortunately, it looks as if this year’s conference will be running at the same time as my 10 year college reunion.  D’oh!

In lieu of my return then, I offer you some advice for once you are there.  Ms. Caryl Mousseaux of Leaning Tower of Books was kind enough to send me recommendations on where to visit when one is bookish and in Minneapolis.  Here I shall recount her fantastic advice.  It may prove useful to some of you folks:

… if you’ve lived here, you probably know the bookstores to visit. One you might not know is my favorite used bookstore. It has a great children’s section:

Sixth Chamber Books
http://www.sixthchamber.com/
Owners are husband-wife team, Heather & James, and they are wonderful.

Here is a list of the other independent bookstores:

Red Balloon (If you’re here this weekend, you can meet Chris Monroe of Monkey with a Toolbelt fame.)
http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/
On Grand Ave. near Victoria Crossing

Wild Rumpus
http://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/
In Minneapolis, Linden Hills

Common Good Books (Garrison Keillor, proprietor)
http://www.commongoodbooks.com/
On Selby & Western

Birchbark Books (Louise Erdrich’s bookstore, with a great children’s nook & loft, and a confessional!)
http://birchbarkbooks.com/
In Minneapolis

Micawber’s
http://www.micawbers.com/

On Carter Ave., across the street from the gorgeous little St. Anthony Park branch library. They remodeled just over ten years ago, and their children’s area is really neat — it’s a round room (a rotunda?) at the back of the library that was an addition to the original building. They’ve had an active library association since the 1930s, and we are following in their footsteps. Our library was created during the depression — started out as a little neighborhood-created place in a storefront, then they built the current building in the 30s. Cool history!

Here’s the St. Anthony Park library website:
http://www.sppl.org/locations/stanthony.html

And if you need a non-bookish place to visit, try the Japenese garden at the Como Conservatory. The whole Conservatory is lovely:
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/cons/index.shtml

The Turkish restaurant on Snelling by Hamline U is yummy, tiny and sweet:
http://www.blacksearestaurant.com/

I didn't intend to do a little roundup; it just sort of evolved on its own. It all began with a visit to the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester VT. One of several timely displays in the children's book area caught my eye -- weddings. There among Miss Spider's Wedding, Frog Bride, and Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl was a copy of Uncle Bobbie's Wedding by Sarah Brannen. Yea!!! I love Vermont! This is just what I like to see -- being a part of and not singled out as different or an issue. (An aside -- wearing her Two Lives Publishing hat, Bobbie recently presented at SCBWI New England where Sarah was also a faculty presenter and at the New Jersey Library Association Conference they both presented on a panel about LGBT publishing for children. They were quite a team.)

Elizabeth Bluemle did a fine post about new titles for young children with LGBT parents on Shelftalker. (Another aside -- during our recent stay in Vermont, we planned to visit the Flying Pig Bookstore on our drive to Burlington but it was closed for Mother's Day.)


Elizabeth reviewed Mommy, Mama and Me and Daddy, Papa and Me, two delightful board books with two moms and two dads families written by Leslea Newman. Those titles are also the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Book of the Week.

I received an update about HRC Family Project’s Welcoming Schools program. You can download An Introduction to Welcoming Schools,a primer version of the Welcoming Schools Guide, a guide designed for use in elementary schools with tools, resources and lessons on family diversity, name-calling and gender stereotyping. Included is a list of LGBT-inclusive children’s books.

Last week I worked on some reviews for the Philadelphia Family Pride Newsletter. One of the titles I reviewed was 10,000 Dresses, a title I learned about from in-the-know Fuse #8. Thanks Betsy! Sorry I couldn't find the post to make a direct link
Here's my review:

10, 000 Dresses
Written by Marcus Ewert and Illustrated by Rex Ray
Seven Stories Press, 2008
Hardcover, $14.95
Ages 4-7
.

This is the first picture book we know of with a transgender child as the main character. While some reactions might be “Whoa! Why a trans book for so young?” we’ve heard that there is a need – kids can and do identify with gender at young ages.

Bailey happily dreams of dresses every night – gorgeous, original dresses made of “crystals that flashed rainbows in the sun,” “lilies and roses with honeysuckle sleeves,” and “windows which showed the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids.” But when she tries to tell her parents about the dreams and her desire to own dresses like the ones she dreams about, their negative reaction fills her with despair. “You’re a boy. Boys don’t wear dresses! . . . don’t mention dresses again!” Luckily Bailey meets Laurel who thinks Bailey’s designs are “awesome” and together they make beautiful dresses for themselves. Laurel’s understanding and acceptance of Bailey are a huge gift to her, as this empowering book will be for many children. Artist and graphic designer Rex Ray’s paper collages provide a colorful, retro-futuristic backdrop for Bailey’s story.

The analogy of a window and mirror is often used when talking about diversity in children’s books – the books provide both a mirror for self- recognition and a window to viewing the world outside. The author’s use of dresses made of mirrors and windows may be coincidence but It’s a nice touch.

Do you have a favorite independent bookstore? If you do, you can leave a post about it at Shrinking Violet Promotions blog, and show your support. This may also give the bookstore some promotion. I think it’s a great idea.

I just left a comment about my two favorite independent children’s bookstores in Toronto, ON: Mable’s Fables and The Flying Dragon Bookshop. Both have friendly, knowledgeable staff who really know about and love children’s and teen books. And both have great atmospheres and kid-friendly decor. Mable’s Fables also now has an online store (yay!) so if you don’t want to trek out there, you can order right from your computer–and know that you’re ordering from a store that loves children’s books and will special order anything you want.

Cyndia Zwahlen has written an interesting article about a small renaissance in the children's bookshop industry for the Los Angeles Times. (The bookstores mentioned are all in Orange County.)

Here are some things that keep a children's bookstore in business according the the owners interviewed:

• Toys, toys, toys. Placing dragon toys with dragon books, etc. I agree that this makes sense as a business plan, but as a parent I don't like it.
• For one bookstore owner, removing the YA section worked. I have to agree that this makes sense to me. Teens like to go to the mall and to the big box bookstores. And, they don't want to be in place with "children's books." I've noticed, over the years, that the big box stores have also moved the teen section outside the children's section. Teens don't want to shop with the dragons and Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Welcoming environment and well-educated booksellers. Yes, yes, yes!

Do you have a favorite children's bookstore? When I lived in Los Angeles, I had two favorites: The Borders on Westwood Blvd. had a wonderful children's section--large, with benches and playtables, and, even, a large open section where there were readings and performances. They got rid of all the extras about seven years ago and we no longer go there. I also love the Duttons on San Vicente (best books, best booksellers), but the children's section is so crowded, it's better to shop without the children there.