The ABC Children’s Group at ABA is dedicated to growing and expanding the reach of children’s books. The Group resulted from the 2010 merger of the former Association of Booksellers for Children into ABA. ABA member bookstores may become a “Member” of the ABC Group; authors, illustrators, publishers and other supporters of children’s bookselling may join the group as a “Subscriber.” Annual dues are $50 and are in addition to ABA dues.

The entire ABA community benefits from the work and mission of the ABC Group at ABA. Any ABA bookstore, regardless of ABC membership, may attend children's bookselling-focused education at ABA events; promote the annual E.B. White Read Aloud Awards; and receive 20 free ABC Children's Best Books catalogs with the option to purchase additional quantities.

Benefits for Members (ABA Member Bookstores):

• A dedicated listserv
• The ABC Toolbox newsletter of bookseller resources and promotions
• 250 free ABC Best Books for Children catalogs, a consumer circular featuring front and backlist titles, with the ability to order custom imprinted catalogs in larger quantities

  Show More About the ABC Best Books for Children Catalog

  The ABC Best Books for Children catalog, full-color and imprintable, contains recommendations from ABC Group children's booksellers nationwide.  The catalog may be used to help build your children’s section, elevate holiday sales, educate staff, and as a foundation for local book fairs and teacher nights.  The catalog is distributed in the fall of every year and contains primarily front list titles with descriptions and full bibliographic details.

  IndieCommerce members who wish to add the catalog to their sites may use the address yoursitesname.com/holiday/ABC/index.html

  Members can contact ABC Group Manager Shannon O'Connor with any questions or to order copies.
  To view PDF files of recent catalogs, please click the links below. These files are large and may take a few minutes to load completely:
  2012 ABC Best Books for Children catalog (full)
  2011 ABC Best Books for Children catalog (full)
  2010 ABC Best Books for Children catalog (full)

• Free New Voices program marketing materials highlighting debut middle-grade and YA authors

  Show More About the New Voices Program

  The New Voices program exists to highlight and honor the best debut middle grade and young adult titles of the year. A committee of 12 independent booksellers from across the nation convenes each spring to read ABC Publisher Subscribers’ submitted titles; the committee then chooses its Summer Picks—the five best middle grade and five best young adult debuts published between January 1 and June 30.  The Summer Picks program also showcases 10 New Voices Picks from previous years that are newly in paperback.  Marketing materials such as bookmarks, shelf talkers, and posters are created for distribution to ABC Group member stores in time for summer reading.  In August, the New Voices committee selects its Fall Picks—the five best middle grade and five best young adult debuts published between July 1 and December 31.  Fall Picks are featured in a two-page spread in the ABC Best Books for Children catalog and other consumer-facing print collateral.

• The exclusive right to purchase tickets to the ABC Group's annual Book ExpoAmerica events, which focus on children’s authors and illustrators
• Complimentary admission to the Annual Children's Book Art Silent Auction to Benefit ABFFE and Free Speech in Children's Books 
• E.B. White Read Aloud Awards voting privileges

  Show More About the E.B. White Read Aloud Awards

  The E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, established in 2004, honor books that reflect the universal read aloud standards that were created by the work of the author E.B. White in his classic books for children: Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. In the first two years of the award, a single book was selected. In 2006, in recognition of the fact that reading aloud is a pleasure at any age, the award was expanded into two categories: Picture Books, and Older Readers. The winners are announced during the Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Lunch at BookExpo America, and the shortlist books that remain receive E. B. White Read Aloud Honors.

  For a list of past winners and honor books, click here.

  Criteria and Selection Process

  Each year in January, a committee of independent booksellers nominates a list of new books (published the previous year) that they believe most embody the ideal of a good “Read Aloud.” Stores are allowed to put in more than one nomination, and are encouraged to get their employees involved in the nomination process. This list is narrowed down by the committee over a series of conversations, until they arrive at a short list of favorites.

  The shortlist is announced annually in April, and then independent booksellers from across the nation vote online to pick a single winner for each category. The winners are announced at ABA’s ABC Children’s Institute, and the shortlist books that remain receive E.B. White Read Aloud Honors.

  For more detailed information and a FAQ about the E.B. White Awards click here.

• Exclusive option to attend the Children’s’ Institute educational conference
• Free "Snack Nap Read" poster (upon joining)

Benefits for Subscribers (Authors, Illustrators, Publishers, Vendors and Supporters of Children's Bookselling):

• A dedicated listserv
• The ABC Toolbox newsletter
• Mailing list upon request

Publisher Subscribers may submit titles to be considered for inclusion in:

• The ABC Toolbox newsletter
• The ABC Best Books for Children Catalog
• The ABC New Voices program

To Join

The ABC Group membership is not automatically included with ABA membership or renewal; members must opt-in annually.

Bookstores:
If you are currently a member of ABA and would like to join the ABC Group please contact the Member Relationship Manager for your region. You may also opt-in to the ABC Group with your renewal submission. If you are not currently an ABA member, join ABA and select the opt-in to ABC Children's Group membership on your application.

Publishers, Authors, Illustrators and Industry Friends:*
Apply to become an ABC Subscriber.

*Publishers must be ABA members to subscribe to the ABC Children's Group. Authors and illustrators do not need to be ABA members in order to subscribe to the ABC Children's Group.