Children’s Bookselling

During a joint education session with the American Library Association, bookseller and library panelists at the ABC Children’s Institute discussed how to create and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships.

Senate confirms Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress; NEA Big Read announces new focus; Christopher Myers to launch imprint with Random House Children’s Books; Carl Lennertz named Children’s Book Council executive director; Inaugural edition of Buzz Books: Romance released; AAP survey reveals book industry net revenue of $28 billion in 2015; Malaprop’s owner discusses post-H.B. 2 decline in business; Longlist for the 2016 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize announced; PEN America introduces PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers

At the ABC Children’s Institute, Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez inspired booksellers with the story of her transformation from a poor student and reluctant reader to a prolific novelist and humanitarian.

Sara Ornelas, a substitute teacher and mother of two, will open Blue Baboon Books, a new mobile children’s bookstore in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, July 16.

The deadline for booksellers to submit title recommendations for the 2016 ABC Best Books for Young Readers Catalog has been extended to this Friday, July 15.

Award-winning journalist and bestselling humor author Dave Barry kept booksellers laughing at last month’s ABC Children’s Institute with his keynote speech about the fun of writing for children.

Bookstores around the country are hosting release parties on July 30 and 31 to celebrate the publication of the official script book of the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II.

During a featured talk at last month’s ABC Children’s Institute, Dr. Dana Suskind discussed the critical importance of early language exposure to the developing child.

ABA members left last week’s ABC Children’s Institute inspired by a range of keynote presentations, education sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

Kristen McLean, resident children’s specialist at Nielsen Book, shared key content trends in children’s books, as well as potential opportunities for capturing new readers, during a featured talk at the 2016 Children’s Institute.

Two-time Newbery Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo moved booksellers to tears at the Children’s Institute with her opening keynote “Owning the Power of Stories, Harnessing the Power of Connection.”

Booksellers at all ABA member stores have until July 5 to submit their title recommendations for the 2016 ABC Best Books for Young Readers Catalog.

ABA is asking all booksellers who attended last week’s ABC Children’s Institute to complete a post-event survey, which will help guide plans for future programming.

Suzanne Harouff, who owns Books Unlimited, a new and used general interest bookstore in Franklin, North Carolina, will open her second store, Unlimited Books for Kids, on July 1.

ABA has released a statement about the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub, as well as information about resources aimed at both helping the Orlando community and addressing the needs of customers looking for a greater understanding of LGBTQ issues, grief, and tolerance.