Children’s Institute Updates: Backlist Book Swap, Author Reception, and Scholarship Application Deadline

The fourth annual Children’s Institute will take place June 21–23 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International in Orlando, Florida, and will feature six keynote and plenary talks, 10 brand-new education sessions, 40-plus authors, and more.

Ci4 to Kick Off with Backlist Book Swap

Children’s Institute attendees will be invited to participate in a children’s book-themed Backlist Book Swap at Tuesday night’s Opening Reception, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Orlando.

Booksellers are asked to bring a young adult, middle grade, or picture book to share with colleagues at the event; books should be at least five years old and still in print. ABA asks that booksellers share their Book Swap pick now, as the information submitted will be helpful in preparing for the festive reception.

Booksellers should also plan to snap a photo with their books in the Book Swap Photo Booth, which was a huge hit when it debuted at Winter Institute 11 in Denver. (See pictures from the Wi11 Photo Booth here, and a short video of the Swap, produced by Off the Shelf, here.)

Author Reception Grows With Addition of 16 Authors

Sixteen authors have joined the roster for the Author Reception, which brings the count to more than 40 authors signing copies of new and upcoming books on Tuesday, June 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The newly added authors are:

• Steve Bloom (The Stand-In, Lerner)
• Sharon Creech (Moo, HarperCollins)
• Melissa de la Cruz (Something in Between, Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin Teen)
• Paula Garner (Phantom Limbs, Candlewick)
• Nadia Hashimi (One Half From the East, HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Jory John (Penguin Problems, Random House Books for Young Readers)
• Ethan Long (Lion & Tiger & Bear: Tag! You’re it!, Harry N. Abrams)
• Amy Lukavics (The Women in the Walls, Harlequin)
• Kevin McCloskey (The Real Poop on Pigeons, TOON Books)
• Sonia Patel (Rani Patel in Full Effect, Cinco Puntos Press/Consortium)
• James Ponti (Framed! A Florian Mystery, Simon & Schuster)
• Lane Smith (Penguin Problems, Random House Books for Young Readers)
• Trenton Lee Stewart (The Secret Keepers, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
• Booki Vivat (Frazzled, HarperCollins)
• Wade Albert White (The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
• Kari-Lynn Winters (Good Pirate, Ingram Publisher Services)

To learn more about these authors and to check for additions to the list, visit Ci4’s Speakers & Authors page.

March 31 Deadline Approaches for Scholarship Applications

Booksellers from ABA member stores that did not have a Children’s Institute scholarship winner in 2014 or 2015 can apply by March 31 for a publisher-sponsored scholarship to this year’s event. Scholarships will cover the $89 conference fee, the cost of airfare or ground transportation up to $400, and two hotel nights plus tax.

The host hotel, the Wyndham Orlando Resort International, offers a special rate of $129 plus tax (single or double occupancy, inclusive of resort fee), which is available until Thursday, May 26, or until the block is sold out. There is a $20 per night extra person charge. The rate is valid for bookings from June 18 through June 26, 2016, subject to availability. (More on the hotel and a link to reservations is available here.)

Register Now and Be Entered to Win Prizes

Through March 31, every bookseller registration received from an ABC Children’s Group member store in good standing will be entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes from this year’s keynote speakers:

• A Raymie Nightingale (Candlewick) c-print and a carton of mixed titles, all signed by Kate DiCamillo
• A trip to Coral Gables, Florida, for lunch with Dave Barry (The Worst Night Ever, Disney)
• A trip to Middlebury, Vermont, for lunch with Julia Alvarez and illustrator Sabra Field (Where Do They Go?, Triangle Square), followed by their book launch party and art opening

Stores not current on their ABA and/or ABC memberships can renew their dues here or contact ABA’s Member Relationship Managers. Three lucky bookstore winners will be announced at the Children’s Institute.

Children’s Institute is open to booksellers at all member stores and is capped at five registrants per member business. Booksellers interested in serving on a Ci4 session panel, as well as anyone with questions about the institute, should contact ABC Group Manager Matthew Zoni.

Ci4 is made possible by the support of lead sponsor Baker & Taylor with additional support from publisher sponsors large and small.

Register now.