 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 PW's Top Publishing News Stories of 2017 A canceled book deal, Amazon buy buttons, and sexual harassment were among the big news stories this past year. more »   Grisham, Vance, Manson Top iBook Bestseller Lists in 2017
John Grisham's 'Camino Island' topped the iBooks bestsellers fiction list in 2017, J.D. Vance took the top honor in nonfiction for 'Hillbilly Elegy', and Mark Manson had the top-selling audiobook, 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.' more »  Christmas Week Sales Jump 7% Over 2016 Led by solid gains through the retail and club channel, unit sales of print books rose 7% this Christmas week over last year. 'The Getaway' remained the season's most popular book, while Rupi Kaur sold a combined 136,000 copies of her two books in the week. more » 
Have you changed jobs, retired, or
been promoted? Click here to
enter your job move information. It will appear on our site
and in PW Daily.
IN THIS WEEK'S MAGAZINE
   Select Book Conferences, Festivals, and Fairs in 2018 Another year, another slew of publishing and literary events. Here’s our roundup of some of the big ones. more » »  Obituary: Brooke Goffstein Marilyn Brooke Goffstein, award-winning author-illustrator and fine artist, whose work was published under the name M.B. Goffstein and Brooke Goffstein, died on December 20, 2017—her 77th birthday—following a long illness. more » »  Book Deals: Week of January 1, 2018 Dexter creator Jeff Lindsay sells two titles in a new series to Dutton, Harlequin buys a debut YA fantasy, Library of America picks up an anthology of essays about Peanuts, and more in this week's notable book deals. more » »  This Week's Bestsellers: January 1, 2018 Santa was good to booksellers this year. The week before Christmas, overall print unit sales were 7% higher than in the comparable week last year, and a lot of books saw substantial sales jumps. Here are the adult hardcover titles that saw the largest week-over-week increases in unit sales. more » »  PW's Latest Starred Reviews Check out the starred reviews of titles including 'The Cruel Prince,' 'Streetcar to Justice,' 'Green,' and more and more. more » »
AAUP Rebrands As the Association of University Presses The Association of American University Presses will henceforth be known as the Association of University Presses (AUPresses), effective immediately. more » »
SF Children's
Store Windows Tell a Story: Charlie’s Corner, a children's
bookstore in San Francisco, has developed a reputation for thoughtful window
displays that send a message.
Oklahoma Indie
Looks Back on 40 Years: The owner of Full Circle Bookstore in
Oklahoma City reflects on how the industry has changed over four decades.
Brilliant Moon
Makes a Holiday Move: Brilliant Moon, a mind-body-spirit
bookstore in Shelton, Wash., moved to a new location in early December.
What Happens
When Bookstores are Lost: A new book, Jorge Carrion's
'Bookshops: A Reader's History,' tours the world's bookstores and considers
what is lost when bookstores close.
Raleigh
Brewery Sells Books by Rumi Too: Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh,
N.C. combines several retail concepts, including a brewpub, dim sum
restaurant, flower shop and bookstore.
Specialist
Churchill Bookstore Persists: Manhattan's Chartwell
Booksellers, which sells works by and about Winston Churchill, has seen a
revival of interest of late.
Reviving a
Historic Black Bookstore: Hakim’s Bookstore in West
Philadelphia, founded in 1960, has launched an online shop and is looking to
raise money for a renovation.
Sue Grafton
Dies at 77: The crime novelist, whose popular “alphabet”
mysteries sold millions of copies worldwide, died in Santa Barbara on
December 28.
States Pay the
Price When You Buy Online: An op-ed in the 'New York Times'
argues for legally requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes on
transactions.
Bowie's Son
Launches a Book Club: Bowie's son, the director and
screenwriter Duncan Jones, has launched a book club in tribute to his late
father.
The Book That
Tried to Predict 2018: For every wrong prediction in the 1968
book “Toward the Year 2018,” there’s one unnervingly close to the mark.
Can Amazon
Change Books?: The Kindle changed the book business—and the
next decade of Kindle is likely to be even more disruptive than the last.
 Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List 'The Rooster Bar' by John Grisham is the #1 bestseller on PW's adult hardcover fiction bestseller list. See the full list » »
  'This Will Be My
Undoing' by Morgan Jerkins "Jerkins’s debut collection of essays forces readers to reckon with the humanity black women have consistently been denied." more » »
And So We Stand Resolute Cynthia Compton
Avoiding New Year’s resolutions in favor of celebrating the
everyday successes of our bookselling efforts.
 Carol of the BooksA local group of carolers serenaded customers last week at Women and Children First Books in Chicago. Photo: Sarah Hollenbeck |
     |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
To Our Readers
 Today, in our final newsletter of 2017, we bring you the season's most clicked-on stories, including John Green’s new YA novel; the discovery of a previously unpublished book by Maurice Sendak; and many more. Catch up on the stories you missed! We'll see you again on January 4 – best wishes from all of us at PW for a very happy new year.
In the Spotlight
 PW's Most-Read Children's and YA Stories of 2017 A new imprint from author Rick Riordan, the takedown of a dubious bestseller, and a newly discovered picture book by Maurice Sendak were among PW’s most-clicked stories about children’s and YA books this year. Click through for our top 10 most popular articles. more   A Roundup of 2017's Best Book Lists for Kids and Teens As the year draws to a close, critics, reviewers, websites, and awards committees have been presenting their rundowns of the year’s favorites. We’ve gathered a list of the more prominent best-of-the-year lists for children’s and YA books published in 2017. more 
On
the Scene
 On Tour with Neil Patrick Harris This month, actor, comedian, and magic aficionado Neil Patrick Harris set out on a four-city tour in celebration of his debut children’s book, The Magic Misfits. Click through for a selection of highlights from the events, which featured readings, signings, and a few magic tricks. more
Book News
 Digital Tools Help Teen Anthologies Flourish Video conferencing, digital publishing, and print-on-demand services have enabled a new generation of young writers to become published authors. We spoke with a number of writing workshop organizers and participating teens about their experiences collaborating on new student-written anthologies. more
Licensing News
 Licensing Hotline: December 2017 Nickelodeon has been successfully expanding its preschool programming over the past few years with a raft of new shows, and the network’s master publisher, Random House, is along for the ride. Read on for news about Macmillan’s Imprint division and its first licensed preschool titles, Andrews McMeel’s new middle-grade series based on the Smiley brand, and more. more
Q & A
 James L. Swanson Due out at the dawn of the year that marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., James L. Swanson’s Chasing King’s Killer recounts the lead-up to, aftershock, and repercussions of this climactic milestone in U.S. history. PW spoke with Swanson about his passion for chronicling the stories of heroic Americans, and his interest in inspiring kids’ love of history. Q: What initially ignited your interest in history and the iconic leaders whose stories you’ve told? A: I’ve been interested in history for as long as I remember. I was born on Lincoln’s birthday, in Chicago, Illinois—his home state. When I was eight or nine, my grandmother gave me an unusual gift. It wasn’t a baseball glove or bat, but a framed engraving of the Derringer pistol James Wilkes Booth used to shoot Lincoln. more
In Brief
 In Brief: December 21, 2017 This week, picture book authors fight for the title of ugliest Christmas sweater; a bookstore gives back for the holidays; a nonprofit supplies kids with cozy bedtime stories; and communities nationwide celebrate reading and inclusivity. more
Rights Report
 Tiffany Shelton at Wednesday Books has
acquired world rights to bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz's Jane
Anonymous, a novel recounting a 17-year-old girl's seven months in
captivity and her struggle to fit back into her life. Publication is planned
for winter 2020; Kathryn Green at Kathryn Green Literary Agency negotiated
the two-book deal.  Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought two
picture books by SCBWI Portfolio Prize winner Alison Farrell. The
Hike is about three girls and their outdoor adventures; the second book
is an as-yet-untitled followup to Farrell's forthcoming debut, Cycle City.
The Hike is slated for fall 2019; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin
Properties brokered the deal for world rights.  Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has acquired the
picture book Four Ways to Trap a Leprechaun by 7 Ate 9 and The
Monstore author Tara Lazar (l.), illustrated by Vivienne To.
The book follows a curious girl's quest to prove that leprechauns are real.
The book will release in winter 2020; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy
Literary represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates
represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.  Christy Cox at Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot has
bought world rights to Cryptid Creatures Field Guide by Kelly
Milner Halls, illustrated by Rick Spears, which details various
Cryptids such as Bigfoot. Publication is scheduled for September 2019; both
the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Kenny Brechner A Mighty Wrapper Is Summoned
Retired gift wrapping titan and Eight Cousins founder Carol
Chittenden is called forth by the dark arts to rural Maine.
more »
Cynthia Compton Dear Santa
A children’s bookseller’s letter to Santa Claus, containing her
wish list for 2018.
more »
Josie Leavitt Best Greeting Card, Ever
Cards and swearing make for holiday fun!
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel All Things Small and Wonderful
Trimming the tree with 30 teeny tiny literary treasures (plus 2
stocking stuffers for good measure).
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 On the Other Side of
the Garden Jairo Buitrago, trans. from the Spanish by Elisa Amado, illus. by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood (PGW, dist.), $19.95 (56p) ISBN 978-1-55498-983-6 Late at night, Isabel’s father drives her to her grandmother’s house and leaves her there with a big duffel bag. Her grandmother shows Isabel to her room, where three creatures—an owl, a frog, and a mouse—peer in the window at her. Together they take a moonlit walk. more  All the Animals Where I
Live Philip C. Stead. Roaring Brook/Porter, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-62672-656-7 In the meditative manner of his Ideas Are All Around, Caldecott-winner Stead looks at the animals in his neighborhood, and at his own life. It’s a journey with an artist who sees the eternal in the everyday. more  Who Says Women Can’t Be
Computer Programmers? The Story of Ada Lovelace Tanya Lee Stone, illus. by Marjorie Priceman. Holt/Ottaviano, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62779-299-8 In a vibrant follow-up to Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?, Stone explores the life of Ada Lovelace, whose imagination rivaled that of her poet father, Lord Byron, to the chagrin of her mother. Lovelace emerges as an independent innovator whose enthusiasms are contagious. more  The Tale of Angelino
Brown David Almond, illus. by Alex T. Smith. Candlewick, $16.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9563-7 Bus driver Bert Brown feels like he’s having a heart attack at work, but the fluttering in his chest turns out to be a tiny angel lodged in his pocket. When Bert brings the creature home to his wife, it doesn’t take long for the angel, whom they name Angelino, to become a beloved member of the couple’s family. But two villains are watching the angel’s every move. more  The Beauty That Remains Ashley Woodfolk. Delacorte, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-5247-1587-8 In a strong debut, set on a realistically diverse Long Island, Woodfolk surveys the devastation of those left behind after the deaths of three teenagers, and their tentative efforts to move forward. Each of the book’s narrators is struggling with grief. The three are also linked by their connections to Unraveling Lovely, a local indie band. more
TALES FROM THE
SLUSH PILE
 |
December 21, 2017
 
People
Mary McCue has
been promoted to publicity director at Random House Children's Books; she was
previously associate director.
Holiday House has two promotions and one new hire. Emily
Mannon has been promoted to marketing coordinator, from marketing
assistant. Emily Campisano has been promoted to associate publicist,
from publicity assistant. Louisa Brady has joined as editorial
assistant; she was previously a bookseller at the Strand Bookstore and an
intern at Folio Literary Management.
Jalissa Corrie has been promoted to marketing associate at Lee & Low
Books, from marketing assistant.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
 Have you checked out our Spring 2018 Sneak Previews? Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for young readers due out next season, in our exclusive roundup.
In Case You
Missed It
Follow Us
 Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here for
our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note.  |
||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Unit Sales Have First Weekly Holiday Increase in 2017 Unit sales of print books rose 3% in the week ended December 17, 2017, over the comparable period in 2016, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Last week was the first week that print unit sales were up over the comparable week in 2016 since the holiday selling season began during Thanksgiving week. more »  FSG Calls on Cameroon to Release Author Patrice Nganang Farrar, Straus & Giroux is the latest party to call for the immediate release of Patrice Nganang, a Cameroonian-American writer and academic, who has been imprisoned in a maximum security prison in Cameroon following the publication of an article critical of government repression in the country. more »  Brallier Leaving Abrams A little more than one year after he joined Abrams in the newly-created post of publisher of Abrams Plus, Jess Brallier will leave the company at the end of 2017. more »  Obsession Spirals in This Dark Short Story Amazon Original Stories brings you a chilling new read by 'New York Times' bestselling author Joyce Carol Oates. In 'The Sign of the Beast,' a dark force is set loose when a Sunday school teacher mocks a boy’s birthmark and the child turns the tables on his abuser. Psychological suspense builds as the victim narrates a cycle of abuse spiraling out of control. (Sponsored) Read It Today »
Happy Holidays
We wish all our readers a happy holiday season. We thank you for your support in 2017 and wish you a prosperous New Year. This is the last regularly-scheduled issue of PW Daily until January 2. We will of course do a special alert if major news occurs during the break and will be posting articles to the 'PW' website. 
John Martz is joining PRH Canada
Young Readers in the newly-created role of art director.
 'My Favorite Thing Is Monsters' Tops Annual 'PW' Graphic Novel Critics
Poll Emil Ferris's surprise literary hit and bestselling debut graphic novel, 'My Favorite Thing is Monsters,' was the top vote-getter in PW's annual Graphic Novel Critics Poll. more » »  In Conversation: Tim Federle and Marla Frazee The Golden Globe Awards are right around the corner, and this year two animated features based on picture books have been nominated: 'Ferdinand,' which is inspired by the 1936 classic, features a screenplay co-written by author Tim Federle; and 'The Boss Baby,' is based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book. We asked Federle and Frazee to interview each other about the adaptation process. more » »  WNDB Announces 2018 Walter Award Ceremony, Expands Program
We Need Diverse Books, the nonprofit diversity organization, will hold its third annual Walter Dean Myers Award ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2018. The event will be immediately preceded by a symposium, “Seen and Heard: The Power of Books,” which will be open to the public. more » »  Now an Amazon Studios Major Motion Picture An exciting launch from Amazon Original Stories, 'Crown Heights' is the incredible true story about the flaws in our justice system and the enduring power of friendship. With no evidence against him, Colin was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than two decades. But on the other side of the bars, his best friend fights for his freedom. (Sponsored) Read It Today » »
Murray Up at Sourcebooks Sourcebooks has promoted Sean Murray to executive director of sales. more » »
Bookselling is
New Challenge for Author: Emma Straub, owner of Books are
Magic in Brooklyn, reflects on her bookstore's first few months in business.
N.C. Airport
Used Bookstore to Close : 2nd Edition Book Sellers, open 34
years at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, will close at the end of
the month.
Mississippi
Bookstore Assists Addicts: New Directions Bookstore and Coffee
Shop in Tupelo, open since 1984, focuses on helping readers in recovery.
Can Amazon
Change Books?: The Kindle changed the book business—and the
next decade of Kindle is likely to be even more disruptive than the last.
The Top 10
Copyright Rulings Of 2017: Law 360 selects Penguin Random
House et al vs. Colting, among others, as one of its top 10 copyright law
cases of the year.
Clifford
Irving Dies at 87: The prankster who wrote a phony
autobiography of billionaire Howard Hughes and fooled a major publisher in
1971 has died.
Richard Avedon
Biography Disputed: According to the photographer’s
foundation, a newly released biography “is filled with countless
inaccuracies” and should be pulled.
The Scrooges
of the Trump Era: Could the three ghosts of Christmas even
save them? Why ‘A Christmas Carol’ is especially poignant in 2017.
 Trade Paperback Bestseller List 'The Sun and Her Flowers' by Rupi Kaur is the #1 title on PW's trade paperback bestseller list. See the full list » »
 'The Parking Lot Attendan'
by Nafkote Tamirat "Tamirat’s wonderful debut novel weaves growing pains, immigrant troubles, and moments of biting humor." Read more » »
A Mighty Wrapper Is Summoned Kenny Brechner
Retired gift wrapping titan and Eight Cousins founder Carol
Chittenden is called forth by the dark arts to rural Maine.
 Tor Book Takes Launch at KGB BarEllen Datlow, the editor of 'Mad Hatters and March Hares' (Tor), poses with a handful of contributors after a reading at KGB Bar on December 18. Pictured here (from l. to r.): in the back row, Matthew Kressel, Genevieve Valentine, Ellen Datlow, Richard Bowest, Katherine Vaz, and Kris Dikeman; and, in the front row, Ysabeau Wilce. Courtesy Tor/Forge |
   |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
Fall Flying
Starts
We spoke with the authors of six of the season's most promising
debuts about their path to publication.
 Jessica Townsend Jessica Townsend wrote her first story as a seven-year-old living on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. The process made her realize, “This is what I’m going to do, the rest of my life.” That wish came true: Townsend's first novel, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, is now an international bestseller that is being published in 27 countries, with a film in the works. more  Tochi Onyebuchi Tochi Onyebuchi wasn’t new to writing when the idea for his debut book came about. He had already written 15 unpublished novels and wanted to write about the issues he had seen in his work with the Office of the New York Attorney General. He also wanted to bring his Nigerian heritage to the page. The result is the first of a series set in a fantastical world full of dark magic. more  Celia C. Pérez It’s tempting to focus on the similarities between author Celia C. Pérez and the 12-year-old heroine of her debut novel. Both are bicultural and both are fans of punk music and making zines. But Pérez is just as aware of their differences: “One of the reasons I wrote the book is because I wanted to explore how being Latino is such a different experience for different people." more  Andrea Tsurumi Though author-illustrator Andrea Tsurumi views the creation of her first picture book, Accident!, as somewhat, well, accidental, the book is the product of years of picture book appreciation. The story crystallized in 2015, when Tsurumi and a group of fellow artists gathered at Books of Wonder in Manhattan for an “illustration jam.” more  David Barclay Moore Not only does David Barclay Moore remember his dreams and get story ideas from them, but occasionally he can even guide his dreams. That ability gave him a key piece of what would become his debut novel. “I had a dream that someone was building a whole city out of Legos, and I was able to envision what the city looked like,” he said. “When I woke up, I ran to jot the whole thing down.” more  Molly Ostertag Author-illustrator Molly Ostertag was drawn to fantasy stories at a young age; she recalls hearing The Lord of the Rings read to her before she could read herself, came of age alongside Harry Potter, and loves the work of Tamora Pierce and Diana Wynne Jones. Her debut graphic novel originated with the “idea of a boy who wants to do girly things, because you don’t see that very often." more
Social
Media Spotlight
 Twitter Events Connect Agents and Writers While authors have been making initial connections online with agents for several years, Twitter events such as #PitMad and #DVPit have exploded in popularity—providing a new outlet for emerging talent. “It’s half pitching, half celebration," said author Kat Cho. more
In the News
 Abrams Partners with the Met For Line of Kids' Books Abrams Children’s Books has announced an exclusive partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store on a new publishing program, launching in March 2018. The books will pull from the Met’s collection, covering art concepts, history and biography, and content tied to the museum’s exhibitions. more  WNDB Announces 2018 Walter Award Ceremony, Expands Program
We Need Diverse Books, the nonprofit diversity organization, will hold its third annual Walter Dean Myers Award ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2018. The event will be immediately preceded by a symposium, “Seen and Heard: The Power of Books,” which will be open to the public. more  BolognaFiere Inks Deal to Co-Organize Shanghai Children’s Book Fair
In addition to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, BolognaFiere will now oversee a global network of book publishing events that includes the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair and the debut of the New York Rights Fair in 2018. more
Happy
Anniversary
 Forty Years at the Forefront for the Children's Book Shop
Over the course of the Children’s Book Shop’s four decades in business, the tiny Boston-area specialty bookstore has weathered monumental changes in publishing. We spoke with founder Rusty Browder and current owner Terri Schmitz about the store's evolution and how it remains a a beloved part of the community. more
In Conversation
 Tim Federle and Marla Frazee The Golden Globe Awards are right around the corner, and this year two animated features based on picture books have been nominated: Ferdinand, which is inspired by the 1936 classic, features a screenplay co-written by author Tim Federle; and The Boss Baby, is based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book. We asked Federle and Frazee to interview each other about the adaptation process. more
On the Scene
 A 'Radiant' Exhibition: Celebrating the Legacy of McLoughlin Brothers
The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Mass., and the Grolier Club in New York City present a new children’s exhibition this fall, "McLoughlin Brothers and the Business of Picture Books." The exhibit focuses on the prolific New York publisher, which was active between 1858 and 1920. more
Rights Report
 Ruta Rimas at S&S/McElderry has acquired,
in an exclusive submission, North American rights to Sanctuary Highway,
a YA novel by Ellen Hopkins. Pitched as The Underground Railroad
with a contemporary YA spin, the book takes place in a near future in which
things continue to go along the current trajectory politically, and the
America of the story is an even darker version of the one we know now. The
book is slated for fall 2019; Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary
Agency brokered the deal.  Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz &
Wade has bought Candace Fleming's untitled YA biography of Charles
Lindbergh. The book aims to provide a closer, more critical look at the
American hero based on current scholarship and new revelations. Publication
is planned for fall 2019; Ethan Ellenberg at Ethan Ellenberg Literary handled
the deal for world rights.  Rhea Lyons at Rodale Kids has acquired North
American rights to Savannah Maddison's nonfiction middle grade book, The
Bridge Between Here and There, a memoir and guide to writing letters as a
means of drawing people around the world closer together. The book is based
on Maddison's experience building her nonprofit Savannah's Soldiers, which
helps kids connect to deployed troops through letter-writing campaigns.
Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; Kirsten Neuhaus at Foundry Literary +
Media represented the project.  Georgia McBride at Month9Books has bought Tales
of the Egyptified Jonseses: Ankh by Malayna Evans. Pitched as The
Red Pyramid meets Back to the Future, the book is about an
11-year-old biracial kid from Chicago's South Side who is transported 3,000
years back in time to the ancient Egyptian court with his nine-year-old
sister, and given one week to save the royal family. Publication is set for
May 2019; Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency negotiated the three-book
deal for world English rights.  Erica Finkel at Abrams has acquired world
rights to Emma Wunsch's (l.) first two books in the Miranda and Maude
series, illustrated by Jessika von Innerebner. The chapter book series
is about the unexpected friendship between a princess and a social justice
advocate. It will launch in fall 2018; Rachel Orr at the Prospect Agency
represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
represented the illustrator.  Katherine Jacobs at Roaring Brook has bought,
at auction, two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt's (l.)
picture book, So Tall Within, a look at the indomitable spirit of
Sojourner Truth, who escaped slavery and fought for freedom, women's rights,
and the dignity of all people. Coretta Scott King Honor winner Daniel
Minter will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2018. Rick Margolis
at Rising Bear Literary represented the author, and the illustrator
represented himself in the deal for world rights.  Susan Kochan at Putnam has acquired, in a
four-house auction, author-illustrator Deb Pilutti's Old Rock,
a story about a rock that has been sitting in the same spot for as long as
anyone can remember. But Old Rock's life story reveals daring adventures and
exciting journeys. Publication is planned for 2020; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea
Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought 2017
Emily Dickinson First Book Award-winning YA and middle grade author Kristen
Tracy's (l.) debut picture books, A Cub Story and A Kit Story,
about a bear and a fox encountering the world on their own terms. Alison
Farrell, recipient of SCBWI's Portfolio Prize, will illustrate both
books, which will be published in spring and fall 2020, respectively. Sara
Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at
Pippin Properties represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.  Chris Paul and Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick
Press have acquired world rights to The Flying Paintings of Wuming: The
True Story of Two Chinese Brothers by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by
the Zhou Brothers, who are the subjects of the book. The tale of a
besieged family, a wise old grandmother, and a country in the midst of
revolution centers on these two brothers who, inspired by an ancient legend,
confront conflict and free their imaginations by painting together on the
same canvas. The book is scheduled for fall 2020; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola
Literary Studio represented the author and the illustrators.  While at Roaring Brook, Claire Dorsett bought,
at auction, sibling co-writing team Tara Luebbe (l.) and Becky
Cattie's Conan the Librarian, a look at what happens when a mighty
raider is initiated into the world of reading. Mekisha Telfer will edit.
Publication is set for 2019, with a second book to follow in 2020; Tracy
Marchini at BookEnds Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.  Christy Cox at Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot has
acquired world rights to Grizzly Boy by Barbara Davis-Pyles
(l.), illustrated by Tracy Subisak, the story of a boy who wakes up
one day determined he's a grizzly bear. Publication is slated for September
2018; the author represented herself, and Emily Mitchell of the Wernick &
Pratt Agency represented the illustrator.  Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has bought
world rights to Charlotte Agell's (l.) picture book Maybe Tomorrow,
about two friends who navigate friendship, loss, and healing. Pixar artist Ana
Ramirez will illustrate; publication is planned for 2019. Edite Kroll at
Edite Kroll Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator
represented herself.  Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired world
rights to Randi Sonenshine's (l.) This Is the Nest That Wren Built,
a nonfiction picture book that follows a pair of avian engineers as they
design and build a nest for their future hatchlings. Anne Hunter will
illustrate; publication is set for 2020. Kendra Marcus at Book Stop Literary
represented the author, and Rosemary Stimola of Simola Literary Studio
represented the illustrator.  Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has bought, in a
preempt, world rights to I Will Be Fierce by Cailín McCarthy Garfunkel
writing as Bea Birdsong (l.), illustrated by Pashmina creator Nidhi
Chanani. The book features a girl who tackles every element in her day with
courage and fortitude, much like the heroine in a fairy tale. Publication is
scheduled for spring 2019; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the
author, and Judith Hansen at Hansen Literary Management represented the
illustrator.  Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired
world rights to The Itty Bitty Witch by Punk Skunks author Trisha
Speed Shaskan (l.), illustrated by Xindi Yan. Betty Ann Batsworth
is the littlest witch around. After being called “Itty Bitty” one too many
times, she thinks up her biggest idea yet—winning the Halloween Broom Dash.
Publication is slated for fall 2019; Sara Crowe of Pippin Properties
represented the author, and Christy Tugeau Ewers of the CAT Agency
represented the illustrator.  Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world
rights to debut author Gloria Respress-Churchwell's (l.) picture book,
Follow Chester! A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History,
about the first black college football player (Chester Pierce of Harvard) to
play a football game at a southern school (UVA) in 1947. The book will be
illustrated by Laura Freeman, illustrator of Hidden Figures: A True
Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race. Publication is planned for
summer 2019; the author represented herself, and Janet DeCarlo of StoryBook
Arts represented the illustrator.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Josie Leavitt Best Greeting Card, Ever
Cards and swearing make for holiday fun!
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel All Things Small and Wonderful
Trimming the tree with 30 teeny tiny literary treasures (plus 2
stocking stuffers for good measure).
more »
Kenny Brechner The Summoning of a Mighty Wrapper
Would the use of dark magic work to summon a retired gift
wrapper from a faraway bookstore to appear in central Maine?
more »
Cynthia Compton Two Parts Coffee, One Part Christmas Cookies
An amusing sample of Post-it notes by and to staff members, left
behind the register at Cynthia’s bookstore.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 Bus! Stop!
James Yang. Viking, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-425-28877-1 Yang dedicates his graphically inventive book to “all the nice bus drivers who waited as I ran toward the bus.” Alas, such is not the good fortune of his young hero, who has just missed his bus to school. Oh well, there’s always another bus, right? But the vehicles that subsequently show up don’t seem to be headed to school. more  Islandborn
Junot Díaz, illus. by Leo Espinosa. Dial, $17.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-7352-2986-0 From its very first sentence, this first picture book from Díaz is both beautifully nuanced and instantly comprehensible: “Every kid in Lola’s school was from somewhere else.” Lola is from a place that she calls the Island (the author’s native Dominican Republic), but she left as a baby. When her teacher asks everyone to draw a picture of “the country you were originally from,” Lola, who doesn’t remember the Island herself, embarks on a quest through her tight-knit city neighborhood to collect memories. more  Hi, Jack!
Mac Barnett, illus. by Greg Pizzoli. Viking, $9.99 (80p) ISBN 978-0-425-28907-5 In this promising series opener, Barnett and Pizzoli introduce a mischievous monkey named Jack, a dog named Rex, and a lady named the Lady. Barnett works wonders with a limited vocabulary, packing the stories with humor, tension—and admonishments of Jack. Pizzoli’s scruffy-edged, emotive cartoons are just as funny. more  Aru Shah and the End of
Time Roshani Chokshi. Disney-Hyperion, $16.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-368-01235-5 This series kickoff, which is also the first book from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, expertly channels the humor and action that have made Riordan’s own work so successful. Twelve-year-old Aru Shah lives with her mother in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in Atlanta. Aru’s tendency to bend the truth gets her into trouble when three of her classmates dare her to light a supposedly cursed lamp called a diya, which awakens the demonic Sleeper. more  Just Like Jackie
Lindsey Stoddard. Harper, $16.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-06-265291-1 In Stoddard’s gently powerful debut, 11-year-old Robinson “Robbie” Hart tries to emulate her cheek-turning namesake, Jackie Robinson, but her anger often explodes at school, threatening to expose her guardian grandfather’s failing memory. A family tree project brings Robbie’s anxiety to the forefront—she doesn’t even know her deceased mother’s name. more  Mapping the Bones Jane Yolen. Philomel, $17.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-399-25778-0 Yolen returns to the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust in this expansive, eloquent novel about 14-year-old twins Chaim and Gittel Abromowitz. Their Jewish family has been relocated to the Lódz ghetto in Poland, stuffed into a small apartment with another family. As the situation in the ghetto worsens, Chaim pawns his mother’s engagement ring so both families can make a dangerous escape into the forest and, eventually, across the border into the Soviet Union. more |
December 19, 2017
 
People
Random House Children's Books has two promotions. Kristin
Schulz has been promoted to manager of school and library marketing, from
associate manager. Emily Petrick has been promoted to associate
manager of school and library marketing, from assistant manager.
Bestsellers
 Children's
Frontlist Fiction #1 The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12) by Jeff Kinney. Click here  Picture Books
#1 Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae, illus. by Guy Parker-Rees. Click here
Follow Us
 Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here to
see our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note. |
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Patterson Offers 'Happy Holidays' for 320 Indie Booksellers
For the third year in a row, the bestselling author is giving holiday bonuses to indie booksellers. This year he sent checks ranging from $750 to $1,250 to booksellers and bookstore owners around the country. more »  Deal Making Slowed a Bit in 2017 While there were no blockbuster acquisitions in the year, there were certainly plenty of niche purchases. more »  Letter from the Editors: Covering Sexual Abuse in the Book Business
As a trade publication for the book business, we are committed to helping make publishing a profession where all members are given the respect they deserve. That means covering sexual abuse in publishing—with rigor. more »  Now an Amazon Studios Major Motion Picture An exciting launch from Amazon Original Stories, 'Crown Heights' is the incredible true story about the flaws in our justice system and the enduring power of friendship. With no evidence against him, Colin was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than two decades. But on the other side of the bars, his best friend fights for his freedom. (Sponsored) Read It Today » 
Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, formerly
acquisitions editor at Our Sunday Visitor, is joining Ave Maria Press as
senior editor for trade books.
Jeremy Stern has joined New Leaf
Literary & Media as story editor.
Veronica Grijalva has
joined New Leaf Literary & Media as foreign rights associate.
Mia Roman has been promoted to
foreign rights associate at New Leaf Literary & Media.
IN THIS WEEK'S MAGAZINE
 Book Deals: Week of December 18, 2017 Putnam preempts a J.P. Pomare novel, McElderry Books buys a YA novel, cookbook author Shauna James Ahern sells an essay collection to Sasquatch, and more. more » »  This Week's Bestsellers: December 18, 2017 What’s America reading? An array of nonfiction titles, for starters. more » »  PW's Latest Starred Reviews Check out the starred reviews of titles including 'Hasidism: A New History,' 'Eating Ethically: Religion and Science for a Better Diet,' and more and more. more » »  Survey Results: Publishing Modernization Hear directly from publishing professionals about what’s happening inside their own operations and discover solutions available now to solve some of publishers’ greatest workflow and automation challenges. Learn more about how our industry is adapting to change–and how your progress compares–in Apex CoVantage’s latest white paper. (Sponsored) Learn More » »
Authors on the Air December 18, 2017: Gregory Maguire Gregory Maguire, author of 'Wicked' and 'Hiddensee' (William Morrow, 978-0062684387), will appear on 'The NOT Boring Book Show' on Monday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. CST. more » »
Reidy Looks Back on 'Gratifying' Year S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy called 2017 a "gratifying" year for the publisher, citing, among other things, a slew of big hits, growth in digital audio sales, and gains in publishing diverse titles. more » »
Surveying
Montreal's Used Book Scene: The McGill University magazine
spoke to various used booksellers around Montreal about how they have
survived over the years.
Book Lover
Takes Over Vallejo Bookstore: The Vallejo Bookstore in
Vallejo, Calif. has a new owner who is eager to put her mark on the local
book loving community.
Taiwan's
Eslite Plans Four New Stores: Eslite, which operates 44
bookstores in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China’s Suzhou, will add four more stores
next year.
Chinese
Bookstore Showcases High Design: New high-concept Metal
Rainbow Zhongshu Bookstore in China features transparent acrylic shelving and
a "Xanadu" of colors.
Iconic
Arkansas Bookstore Renamed: That Bookstore in Blytheville has
been renamed Blytheville Book Company by the owners who bought the store in
2012.
Philly
Bookseller Inspired by Comic Shop: Amalgam Comics and
Coffeehouse is cited as the inspiration behind a new independent bookstore in
Philadelphia.
Booksellers
Curate Condo Lit Library: The owners of Toronto's Type Books
will curate a library of Canadian literature for condos being built on the
site of a former bookstore.
Amazon Wants
Stores in Germany: The e-tailer has expressed interest in
opening physical stores in Germany similar to those it operates in the United
States.
Brexit Will
Batter British Authors: Bloomsbury warns that the U.K.’s
exclusive English rights across the E.U. will end post-Brexit, forcing firms
to compete with U.S. companies.
Bette Howland
Dies at 80: The Saul Bellow acolyte wrote three well-regarded
books in the 1970s and early ’80s then faded from the literary scene, only to
be rediscovered recently.
Erasure in the
Lit Mag Business: After taking over from George Plimpton,
Brigid Hughes was pushed out as the editor of 'The Paris Review' and omitted
from its history.
'Goldfinch'
Flick Casts Its Kitsey: Willa Fitzgerald is in negotiations to
play Kitsey Barbour in Warner Bros. and Amazon Studios’ adaptation of Donna
Tartt's novel.
 Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List 'Origin' by Dan Brown is the #1 bestseller on PW's adult hardcover fiction bestseller list. See the full list » »
 'Eating Ethically:
Religion and Science for a Better Diet' by Jonathan K. Crane "Fusing philosophical ethics, religious wisdom, and science, Crane has designed a regimen for what he calls 'the heartiest, healthiest, and holiest way to eat: eat less than one can consume on a regular basis, saving one’s feasting for feasts.'" more » »
All Things Small and Wonderful Meghan Dietsche Goel
Trimming the tree with 30 teeny tiny literary treasures (plus 2
stocking stuffers for good measure).
 Faw Comes to Franklin ParkKatherine Faw reads from her new novel, 'Ultraluminous' (MCD/FSG), at the Franklin Park Reading Series in Crown Heights, Brooklyn on Monday, December 11. Photo: Alex Raspa |
  |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publishing staffers from a number of houses and agencies recently
gathered to form a grassroots organization addressing the need for greater
inclusivity within all areas of children’s and adult publishing. more
We asked the authors of our top 10 books of 2017 to share their
favorite titles published this year. more
Indie booksellers in the region are struggling to keep their doors
open as poor air quality keeps away customers and home evacuations disrupt
employees' lives. more
We asked a number of children's booksellers, both new and
established, about how they're finding innovative ways to reach local readers. more
No comments:
Post a Comment