From: lulu delacre <luludela>
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 10:11:41 -0500

Karen Breen pointed out that the chains determine how well a book does. However as Rosemary Brosnan eloquently proposed in the case of Latino literature, publishers need to go beyond the usual marketing techniques. If a good Latino book sells well, but slowly, in comparison to mainstream books, would publishers consider treating it differently until it reaches its market? Perhaps that way the students of professors like Carolyn Lehman would find them when they start teaching in their own classrooms. Would marketing folks in publishing houses look into entirely different venues to market these books? Maybe placing paperbacks of award winning titles in bodegas and Latin food markets? Latinos of all income levels and origins go to Latin markets to buy food staples, they might be tempted to buy a gift for their children if offered the chance. Or perhaps editors of Latino literature could band together and convince Spanish language radio talk shows to dedicate a segment to good children's books with Latino themes.

Communication is the first step to achieving a common goal. And it is heartening for me to see this discussion going on, as it is indicative that there is great interest is supporting the literature the Pura Belpre Award has been established to recognize.

Lulu Delacre author/illustrator www.childrensbookguild.org/luludelacre/html
Received on Wed 15 Mar 2000 09:11:41 AM CST