From: HarrySpenc at aol.com <HarrySpenc>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 23:14:16 EST

I'm in a school LMC and have been avidly following the discussion of sports books. Of all the requests that come across my desk, those kids looking for sports books go away the least satisfied.

Almost every day, a kindergarten boy comes in for books. Every day he goes straight to 796, and looks through the same titles he rejected the day before. This morning, armed with a list of 'easy sports books' mentioned in the discussion, I tried to sell some fiction. Absolutely no way is this kid taking fiction! I have to talk fast to get him to take something with illustrations instead of photos. His reaction to fuzzy animals playing sports was especially negative.

He's an extreme case, but I think he's typical of the patron we've been discussing. He wants CURRENT books, and current means something a lot different to a publisher than a kindergartner. He wants a book about when the Vikings beat the Packers (a few weeks ago), with big glossy photos and great captions.

He likes SI for Kids, but that doesn't satisfy his desire for a book. I've been thinking that SI for kids should try publishing some books compiled from the magazine. Near the end of the season, they could put together all articles about football stars from that year. I'd buy it! It seems that Zoobooks has done well enough with that approach.

Does anyone have any more ideas?

Bridget Hill Harry Spence Elementary LMC La Crosse, WI
Received on Tue 19 Jan 1999 10:14:16 PM CST