Children’s Bookselling

The ABC Children’s Group at ABA is inviting all member booksellers to submit title recommendations by June 30 for its newly renamed catalog, “ABC Best Books for Young Readers.”

Sabaa Tahir is the author of An Ember in the Ashes, a Spring 2015 Indies Introduce title for young adults. “The world-making here is astounding and will consume your every thought until the very last page — and even then you won’t want to let go,” said Sarah Chen of Mysterious Galaxy.

At last month’s Children’s Institute, three booksellers with extensive in-store birthday party programs led a discussion on how to get started and what book themes, activities, and packages to offer.

Robin Stevens is the author of the Spring 2015 Indies Introduce debut novel for middle grade readers Murder Is Bad Manners. “I loved this book for its utterly relatable characters, its enticing narrative voice, and pitch-perfect representation of an all-girls school social dynamic,” said Maggie Tokuda-Hall, formerly of Books Inc.

The 96th annual celebration of Children’s Book Week began on Monday, May 4, and was highlighted by the presentation of the Children’s Choice Book Awards at an evening gala in New York City hosted by Jon Scieszka.

Programming for children’s booksellers at BEA includes the ABFE Art Auction, the Children’s Book & Author Breakfast, YA and Middle Grade Editors’ Buzz panels, Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Book Authors, Tea With Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators, and more.

Children’s book sales hit a record high last year, and independent booksellers continue to serve an important role in that market, said Kristen McLean, the founder and CEO of Bookigee, during the ABC Children’s Institute featured talk “The U.S. Children’s Book Market — Where We Are and Where We’re Going.”

To date, 112 artists and illustrators have donated artwork for the 21st Annual Children’s Book Art Auction and Reception, to be held in conjunction with BEA 2015. Tickets for the May 26 event are on sale now.

Author Jewell Parker Rhodes delivered a stirring closing keynote speech at the ABC Children’s Institute last week, earning a standing ovation for her talk on the importance of diversity in children’s literature. “I do believe that in not seeing myself in books, I almost missed my calling as a writer,” Rhodes shared.

This week, approximately 190 booksellers converged in Pasadena for the 2015 ABC Children’s Institute. The packed schedule included education sessions on topics from birthday parties to story times, and presentations from authors such as Jeff Kinney, Marla Frazee, and Jewell Parker Rhodes.

The success of Young Adult books has a lot of people celebrating, but it has outraged others. To draw attention to the growing number of challenges to YA titles, the sponsors of Banned Books Week have chosen to make YA books the focus of this year’s celebration.

CBC and WNDB partner on internship program; GLIBA, MIBA bestseller lists debut; Shortlists announced for 2015 PEN Literary Awards; SIBA Book Award finalists announced; ALA releases list of most frequently challenged books of 2014; S&S’s Wendy Sheanin promoted; New Zealand booksellers and retailers launch eFairness campaign

The winners of the 2015 Women’s National Book Association’s Pannell Awards, presented to a general bookstore and a children’s specialty store, were announced on Thursday, April 16.

Today, the American Booksellers Association announces the winners of the 2015 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards, as voted by independent booksellers nationwide.

On Monday, April 20, Vroman’s Bookstore will host an afternoon education session and tours of the store for ABC Children’s Institute attendees.