From: Maia Cheli-Colando <maia>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 16:10:53 -0700

Yes. I can't count the number of times I have gone to a Borders or B&N for a science book, only to come away depressed. It's a relevant point about kids choosing books: how often do they not read because the books they want aren't readily available? I have to order most of Ciara's art and science books; some I order through the local bookstore, others through Powells. (We eagerly await a shipment this week -- hurrah!) But /I/ know at least some of what is available... how would she find what she wants by herself? They simply isn't enough on the shelves. And if the books they want aren't in the library, the kids have to have disposable income or parents disposed to spending money on books.

A couple of days ago, my little sister asked (in frustration) "How do I even know all the books that she [her favorite author] has written? I look in the front of the books I have, but that doesn't list everything." I tried to explain about the hefty volumes of Books in Print that we used to use, and that the same information should be available at the bookstores online now. But she doesn't have a decent bookstore near her, nor a decent library. Which leaves her to having to search the titles online herself, when she can get online, or enlist my help. She's a reader, so she'll manage. But another kid...?

Maia
Received on Wed 13 Oct 2004 06:10:53 PM CDT