From: Robert A Reid <reidra>
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 09:19:35 -0600 (CST)

Thanks Ginny for letting me tell everybody about my new (hopefully long) career. Lee and Low Books just published my first picture book called Wave Goodbye which is aimed at the toddler market. It is a short 24 page picture book with wonderful illustrations by a Brooklyn artist new to picture books by the name of Lorraine Williams. Her style reminds me somewhat of Pat Cummings. The book is based on a goodbye rap I've used in story programs in which the listener can wave goodbye with a multitude of body parts. I hope it finds an audience similar to Goodnight Moon in that teachers, librarians, caregivers and parents will use it as a closing ritual. It should be available from your normal book carrier. After sending manuscripts out for years (and getting a healthy pile of rejections) this book had an unusual birth. Liz Szabla, editor at Lee and Low, called me while I was working the public desk here at the library in Eau Claire, introduced herself to me, said she saw my rap in an article I had written for School Library Journal, and would I consider letting them publish it as a picture book. Well, after holding my hand over the phone and screaming praise to the heavens, I told her sure go ahead. (He sounded calm ove the phone but he was SHAKING)My other book is aimed at librarians and teachers and is called Children's Jukebox: A Subject Guide to Children's Musical Recordings and Programming Ideas for Songsters ages 1 to 12. It was published last year by the American Library Association and was a labor of love. It had to be after listening to 600 children's recordings over a five year period. Now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Lee and Low is considering two more manuscripts of mine and I have a few others out there in slush piles around the country. Thanks for listening.

Rob Reid Eau Claire, WI
Received on Mon 25 Mar 1996 09:19:35 AM CST