ABA Asks First Lady to Promote Diversity in Book Buying

Booksellers had mixed reactions to First Lady Laura Bush's appearance on the CBS Early Show on June 25 to inaugurate an Early Readers Club to promote children's literacy. The endorsement by the First Lady of a regular feature about quality children's books on national television is considered a tremendous boost for children's literature. However, booksellers and others in the field were disappointed to hear that as part of the segment viewers were encouraged to purchase books for the literary organization First Book via Amazon.com only. During the Early Readers Club segment, Mrs. Bush read aloud one highlighted book, among other books featured, and the Early Show Web site contained links for book lists at various age levels; when those links were clicked, browsers were taken to Amazon.com, where a First Book "wish list" appeared for visitors to order and have shipped to the organization.

On Monday, June 30, ABA President Ann Christophersen sent a letter to Mrs. Bush on behalf of the association and its members, applauding the First Lady's willingness to lead a national literacy effort, but which said, in part, "We are puzzled as to why the materials for participating in the club would be limited to one retailer. Wouldn't it be better for every library and every outlet that sells books to have the same opportunity to disseminate the information and make the books available to the public?"

Christophersen's letter continued, "The goal is so very important, and the number of those who would want to help is so large. Why not include all bookstores and libraries as places where children could participate in all facets of the Early Readers Club? I know that independent booksellers are ready and waiting to help." (To read the entire letter, click here.)

An independent bookseller, A Likely Story in Alexandria, Virginia, supplied the actual copy of the book promoted on the show, Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke (Scholastic/Levine), according to store owner Marilyn Dugan. However, Dugan reported that the book was subsequently returned for credit after the show by a White House staffer.

Other organizations, including the Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC), have responded to the new Book Club's exclusive arrangement with Amazon.com. On Thursday, June 26, ABC President Monica Holmes sent a letter to the producers of The Early Show expressing dismay at the selection of Amazon.com as "the bookseller of your choice," as reported by PW Daily. --Nomi Schwartz

June 30, 2003

Mrs. Laura Bush
The First Lady of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mrs. Bush:

On behalf of thousands of independent booksellers nationwide, congratulations on the launch of your Early Readers Club, which debuted this past Wednesday, June 25, on the CBS Early Show.

We are delighted to see a person of your stature -- who has shown such a long-standing commitment to authors, reading, and books -- leading a national literacy effort of this kind. However, we are puzzled as to why the materials for participating in the club would be limited to one retailer. Wouldn't it be better for every library and every outlet that sells books to have the same opportunity to disseminate the information and make the books available to the public?

In communities across the country, librarians and booksellers are often the prime movers in key literacy efforts, and, as you know so well, bookstores and libraries are often the places where parents and caregivers go to provide children with the important experience of having a book read to them. As you may recall from our meeting with you at the White House last year, the American Booksellers Association and its active network of 1,250 independent bookstores with Book Sense have long been involved with literacy efforts.

But, the announcement about the Early Readers Club was somewhat bittersweet for libraries and booksellers, for the structure of the club excludes all retailers save one, Amazon.com. The goal is so very important, and the number of those who would want to help is so large. Why not include all bookstores and libraries as places where children could participate in all facets of the Early Readers Club? I know that independent booksellers are ready and waiting to help.

I sincerely hope that you will reconsider the participation arrangements for the Early Readers Club.

Sincerely,
Ann Christophersen
President, American Booksellers Association