A man who understood children

Some books for children capture the spirit of childhood so memorably that they linger in the mind for years. How many adults are there who can still repeat lines from the Curious George books, or those of Dr. Seuss? This week the world lost another artist who captured children's hearts and minds in his series of Frances books--Russell Hoban. Starting with "Bedtime for Frances" in the late 1950s, Russell Hoban showed a child's life in the furry face of a badger. Frances went through many of the perils of young childhood. The story of "Bread and Jam for Frances", which describes how Frances clung to the security of bread and jam for a meal echoed a situation found in many households. The security of eating what you know you like and refusing to be tempted into trying something new like a squishy fried egg, is a sentiment that most of us can identify with. As Russell Hoban grew older, he turned to writing novels for adults. These were inventive and well-received and no doubt linger in many people's minds, but the books that will finally bring him immortality are probably the Frances books. Even after seventy years, the stories are as fresh and new as ever and as parents age into grandparents and great-grandparents they will no doubt continue to read them to eager children.

Will your patrons write their own books?

Even though children's book publishing appears to be flourishing and attendees at the Book Expo this year had plenty of new titles, librarians may be finding even newer titles from the kids who come to the library. A website called www.figment allows teenagers (minimum age 13) to post stories they have written and to share them with others. According to a report in Publisher's Weekly posting a story does not involve a payment, but gives young people a chance to try out their writing.The site was launched in December and has 35,000 registered users. Stories are divided into categories, so readers can seek out fantasy or animal stories, just as they do in the library. Not only can the kids read the story, they can also comment on it and make suggestions for changes. Authors frequently accept suggestions and edit their works as the comments come in. Sounds like a great way for young people to try out their talents and hone them, so that by the time they reach college age, they'll be ready to try for the best-seller lists. Librarians as well as creative writing teachers can give young authors a chance to find an audience beyond the local school or library. Sounds like a win for everyone.

Authors need libraries too

Stories about the importance writers place on publicity are everywhere these days. Thousands of author blogs, writing self-help groups, and print sources discuss the great lengths writers must go to in the search for readers and buyers. It's easy to forget that this search for publicity is not new. According to this story in the NY Times, even the Greek historian Herodotus declaimed his work in public trying to alert listeners to the importance of his ideas. Ernest Hemingway posed for beer ads to show off his brand of fiction; and Georges Simeon offered to write a novel while suspended in a glass cage. What does this have to do with children's librarians? Well, we are at a time when our best authors understand they must help to build an audience for their books. What better allies than librarians? People who write for children and young adults know that the schools and libraries are where they can find their potential readers. Of course, we librarians owe it to our readers to invite authors who are producing works of genuine interest and strength, but we are now seen as part of the process of publishing. If a library's blog features new books and authors' talks at the library, the blog will get more views and the author will find more readers. Don't be shy about inviting local authors to visit the library and read from their works. Let them give out bookmarks and publicity toys. Try to find ways for more distant writers to interact with young people in your library--through video talks or blog posts, or Facebook comments. For years librarians have been salespeople for books now, more than ever, authors are joining in the work. It is a win/win situation for all adults who care about children's reading.

Some days bring despair

For many of us who have spent years trying to bring books and reading to children our calling has become almost a religion. We encourage each other with stories about how children's lives are enriched by the books we introduce them to and the stories they enjoy in our libraries. Now along comes the scandal of Three Cups of Tea the "true story" of a man who devoted years of his life to raising money for schools in Afghanistan. A "60 Minutes" broadcase recently revealed this as not quite the story we thought it was. The schools were not enriched by all the money spent on the book--the author was. A dedicated blogger in Publishers Weekly has expressed the feeling that many of us had when hearing this story. As Barbaara Vey points out, not only were adults fooled by this book, but they bought numerous copies of it for children's collections and school libraries. Many teachers assigned it to their classes (many of whom, according to Vey, found it boring) and now all this pushing of the book only reveals the naivete of adults. Children forced to read it are learning not compassion for third world peoples, but scorn for the adults who can't distinguish between truth and fiction. That's a sure way to turn young readers away from books. We stand revealed as false guides in the world of truth and education. It's enough to make us weep. Let's hope it is also enough to make publishing companies push a little harder to determine the accuracy of what they are publishing, and reviewers to be a little more sceptical of do-gooders who write "memorirs" of their good deeds. We owe it to our children and to the future.

Good news from Bologna

The annual Bologna Book Fair draws a host of publishers of childen's books from around the world and a fair number of librarians. American librarians, however, pay less attention to the international children's book market than do their counterparts in other countries. Every year Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal cover events at Bologna, so their is no excuse for American librarians to continue ignoring the international publishing outlook. The report in PW about the fair this year contains mostly good news.People are upbeat; sales are rising; and their is hope that the worldwide depression is gradually lifting. Now is a good time for American libraries to take seriously the global links that will enable our children to share the varied outlooks of artists and authors from all over the world. The publishing industry in Eastern Europe is vigorous and growing. Russian publishing is booming. Although few African countries were represented at the fair and most of the Arab countries were missing, reprentatives from Europe, Australia, and Korea were much in evidence. Many librarians have a difficult time keeping up with American publications and are reluctant to pay attention to other countries, but authors and illustrators from other lands have much to offer to American children. Our patrons of today will be living in an ever more global world as they grow up, so we ought to make a point of looking for the best materials from around the world and offering them on our shelves. Who knows how many kids imaginations and dreams will be stirred by reading about the lives and dreams of children far from them? We owe it to our children to help them look outward and scan distant horizons.

What are the big books?

Although librarians and teachers often have a good sense of what children are reading, it takes Publisher's Weekly to give us the nuts and bolts of how many books in various categories are actually selling. The lead for their story of sales during 2010 is the news that series books rule as far as sales of children's books go, in hardcover, paperback and electronic format. Everyone who works with young people know the phenomenal success of the Twilight series, but as that set of books fades slowly (very slowly) away, they are being replaced by other series. It seems that knowing the characters and having a strong connection with them is what many children look for in choosing a book. Librarians may fret over the number of series going out, and worry about the outstanding non-series books that are passed up, but it's hard to fight against the trend. Of course, it's also true that bookstores--especially the big box bookstores and the big-box general stores--carry lots of series books and very few singletons. Libraries are pretty much the only place where children will find the type of book that wins Newbery or Caldecott awards, not to mention the more unusual books translated from other languages which introduce a new world to children. Surely we still have an obligation to offer children more than just the top sellers in the field. The early library leaders like Anne Carroll Moore and Lillian Smith were dedicated to the proposition that "only the best is good enough for children". Perhaps we ought to keep some of that spirit today and at least give children the chance to sample books that might really change their lives in a way vampires never will.

What about the universal library?

Big news in the literary world this week is the rejection of the settlement between Google and the Authors Guild over the development of the universal library. Even though he rejected the arrangement, the judge emphasized the value of having someone develop a facility where most of the world's English language literature could be found online. The New York Times today published an op ed piece by Robert Darnton advocating a public institution to collect and make available access to these books. Children's librarians may feel far removed from this argument, because most of the books being scanned are meant for adults. It won't be long though until someone realizes that we have a wealth of important classic children's books that should be preserved in digital format and made available to adults and children alike. With more and more children finding their favorite reading on their iphones or iPads, digital books for children and young adult are a growing format. Librarians should keep a careful watch on what is happening to the Google settlement and what arrangements are being made to protect the heritage that belongs to all of us.

Order more copies

The Wimpy Kid series of books has proved to be a durable favorite with tweens. Last year's movie based on the first book was a quiet success--no Oscars, but good solid returns--now the second film Diary of a Wimpy Kid--Roderick Rules will be released as a film on March 25. According to a Publishers Weekly report, the books themselves will be available in tie-in versions soon. Libraries that keep tabs on what the local movie houses are showing may be able to offer events based on the Wimpy Kids titles. At the very least they can put a link to the movie on their website and be sure some of the new titles are posed in high visibility spots in the library. With very few objections from parents or other adults, this series is a winner for libraries, so let people know they don't have to spend money on the books--they can find them at their local library.

Reading and/or writing

Kids often don't know where books come from They appear on library shelves or in their parents' hands complete with text and illustrations in place. It's not easy for a child to connect the beautiful book on the shelf with the smudged, sheet of paper on her desk. Now a teacher in Oaklnad CA has invided his third grade class to share to labor and rewards of writing a children's book. Hearing a story chapter by chapter as the writer puts it down in a first draft is a surprising and empowering event for a child. Joe Imwalla not only reads his story aloud to his class, he also invites comments and criticism. Of course, the best criticism comes from the children's behavior--do they giggle or do they yawn; do they gasp with surprise or do they poke their neighbor? These unguarded actions tell Mr. Imwalla whether he's reaching his listeners or whether he should go back for another rewrite. The exercise, of course, is not just about improving Mr Imwalla's writing, it's also about letting children know more about the process of writing. They become inspired to write their own stories, perhaps with the help of a friend, and suddenly the class is not a task, but an exciting challenge. Maybe public libraries could try this kind of program with writers in their communities. You can contact a local writers' group and ask whether any members would like to preview their work for children (after the librarian has a chance to see it). Learning that a book does not spring from a writer's or illustrator's brain in its glorious final format but is a document forged with thought and effort can give children a new respect for books as well as a new ambition to try writing their own. And doing this in a public library where there are no grades and no tests can be especially helpful to children whose self-confidence is not high. It's certainly something to keep in mind.

Death of a legend

We are getting close to the 100th anniversary of the great explosion of growth in children's publishing and children's libraries that started in the 1920s and hit its stride in the 1950s. Every year we lose another of the pioneers from the early pre-WWII days who left their stamp on both professions. Margaret K. McElderry, who started her career as a children's librarian, became one of the best known and most honored editors in the field. Both the N.Y. Times and SLJ paid tribute to her this week for her work in developing children's authors and illustrators throughout her career. She had a strong conviction of the importance of children's books, knowing that unless individuals become readers early in life, they are unlikely to ever follow that path. She chose carefully and published only books that she found worthwhile, but she allowed authors and illustrators to try out new formats and new content. For more than fifty years she was a leader in producing remarkable books for generations of children. She trained many younger editors, let's hope they will be able to continue the tradition despite the pressures of these difficult times.

Politics for preschoolers

Children seldom see political messages in picture books. Even the strong pro-peace and cooperation messages of Dr. Seuss often pass them by although adults are strongly conscious of them. And the emphasis on equality and ecological issues in many modern picture books don't add much to their appeal. But the liberal emphasis in many children's books have not escaped the notice of conservative writers who want to shift the point of view to extol more traditional conservative values. Writing in the Boston Globe, Tom Scocca discusses several of the latest offerings by conservative writers. A number of writers immersed in Washington politics have turned their attention to writing for children, among them Lyn Cheney and William Bennett, both of whom try to counter what they see as a liberal bias in most books for children. Librarians, parents and teachers should be aware of the politics of the books they offer as well as of the stories. There is nothing wrong with extolling the political views of various groups of Americans, but the story and presentation will always be most important to children and should take precedence for book selectors too. A well-balanced collection is the goal of any public or school library and neither the political attitudes of authors nor those of the librarian should dictate which books will be chosen. We can take comfort in knowing that children presented with a wide range of materials have the best chance of developing reasoned preferences both in books and in politics as they grow up.

Scattering libraries around

Airport bookstores are the despair of many frequent flyers because the book stock is often limited to bestsellers and business books aimed at travelers with their minds on work. Now, according to a N.Y. Times report a new library has opened at the busy international airport in Amsterdam aimed at a different audience. The library books are chosen to show Dutch culture and thought to the world through a variety of books--short stories, essays, poetry--with the idea that travelers who often spend four or more hours between flights will be able to dip into the life of the Netherlands even if they aren't able to travel into the city and see the sights. It seems to work. The library has attracted a number of users, some of whom like the books so much that they take them with them and then return them on their next stopover at the airport. The Times article doesn's say whether any children's books are included in the library's collection, but it surely would be a good idea to have some. Many families heading for overseas vacations spend dreary hours in airports. How refreshing it would be to have a handy source of reading materials for impromptu storyhours, or just browsing. Perhaps American libraries could consider offering similar outposts in busy stopover airports. Surely with all our technology today, a library could even loan the books on someone's local library card and allow the patron to return the book at home. There might have to be a small postage charge added for the service, but what a wonderful way to introduce good books to children and their families.

Book trailers to the rescue

As so often happens, the bloggers at School Library Journal have led librarians and others to a treasure of ways to entice children to books. This time it is Elizabeth Bird who posts video trailers from YouTube which are designed to introduce new books in an irresistible way. There can't be many children (or parents) who aren't tempted to pick up the graphic novel series about Joey Fly; Private Eye after viewing the video. If there are still librarians and teachers out there who haven't discovered the magic of video trailers for children's books, this is the time to start. Not only can professional trailers be enjoyed, of course, but with a little help from local artists and art teachers, children can be encouraged to make their own. These are sure winners!

Celebrating girls and women

The Amelia Bloomer Project is not nearly as well known as some other ALA awards for children's book, but it's a good source for learning about books with a feminist view. Sponsored by the Feminist Task Force of ALA, the 2009 list has just been released. Books that celebrate the achievements of girls and women are not seen today as quite so important as they were twenty years ago, but as the introduction to this list points out, there have been many backward steps for women in recent years. Americans may believe feminist principles no longer need to be defended because everyone accepts them, but as many female veterans of the Armed Forces will tell you, the struggle for equal treatment is ongoing even in this country. In Iraq and Afghanistan, women have lost rights they enjoyed earlier, and these changes ripple around the world. Many new immigrants in the United States come from groups which do not consider women equal to men and librarians owe it to these girls as well as to all others to continue offering strong stories and histories of girls and women. Why not take this list and check your local library to see how many are available? The results will tell you a lot about your community and the future of women.

Echoes of 19th century frights

When Neil Gaiman won the Newbery Award last year for The Graveyard Book, many librarians hailed or deplored it as a new direction in children's literary awards. Even though his earlier book Coraline had been a success with both children and adults. Now a profile in the New Yorker tells the story of how Gaiman developed his style and his following. Beginning with comics he has moved on to use his blogs and his publications to build a huge audience, yet he has not yet been recognized as an important writer. Perhaps this New Yorker piece will do the trick. Rather than bringing children's literature something entirely new, Gaiman has drawn on themes from earlier writers, like the long-forgotten Lucy Clifford mentioned in the article and the more famous Rudyard Kipling, to write intriguing stories that capture modern sensibilities. It's another reminder that literature seldom creates something entirely new but builds on lasting interests and fears that never go out of date. Librarians should recognize that Gaiman is a fresh new voice building a bridge between the past and present for today's children.

Still going strong

The appointment of Katherine Patterson as the ambassador for Children's Literature in the United States is a recognition of the continuing importance of the literary tradition of children's books. In a time when publishers are scrambling to find the next trendy series to catch children's attention, it's nice to know that an author who writes serious books for thoughtful children is being honored. Librarians used to believe that "only the best is good enough for children" but a more common sentiment these days is that anything that gets a child to pick up a book is worth publishing and choosing for a library. Certainly light-hearted books have their place in a child's reading diet, but while generations of babysitters' pranks and vampire scares may fade from mind, many adults will remember the plot and characters of Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins for years. These books are truly an introduction not just to the skill of reading but to the rich rewards that come to some of us from a true literary experience of immersion and growth.