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Re: Cost of Picture Books
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From: Becky McDonald <rebeccamcdonald_at_sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:53:57 -0500
Certainly some publishers can gain from giving away books that aren't selling. Some of the best books don't sell well, however. I have not been a part of an organization that gives away books to individual children and can't speak with authority about the impact of the giveaways.
It is reasonable to assume that some sort of introduction to the books would make them more valued by the children and their parents. If the child makes the selection, that could be difficult in terms of a prescribed preliminary activity when the books are circulated. Getting parents to attend training sessions could be challenging, also.
I am a volunteer for a museum, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), that gives books to classrooms that tour exhibits of art by picture book artists. The classrooms receive the books, not individual children. The children and teachers are taken on a docent-led tour in which they see original art by the featured artist, explore design elements and the principles of art that are most relevant to the exhibiting artist, and learn about the artist's life. Most of the children are eager to read the books at the conclusion of the 40-to-50-minute tour, partly because the tours are targeted for specific grade levels. The children can compare the original art with the published books and learn "insider" information that the artist has shared. The classrooms also receive special art supplies and instructions on how to use them. For example, for the NCCIL's current exhibit of Brian Selznick's art, the classrooms get soft back copies of THE BOY OF A THOUSAND FACES, THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUS E HAWKINS, and RIDING FREEDOM, plus a Bic pen for each child (one of Selznick's favorites) and watercolor paper. The cost of the books and supplies are underwritten by the museum members and the exhibit sponsors.
In the scope of giveaway programs, this is small. In these tough economic times, publishers rarely contribute books. Once upon a time, they were very generous with books that were among the best by the featured artist. I have to believe that the NCCIL's practice has a positive impact, but obviously, it touches a fairly small group of children.
By the way, Mr. Marcus is the NCCIL's valued consultant, but he did not solicit this response and he was not referring to the NCCIL's book giveaway programs in his inquiry.
----- Original Message -----
From: leonardsma_at_aol.com To: sully@sully-writer.com ; ccbc-net@lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 1:40 PM Subject: Re:
Cost of Picture Books
There are a number of literacy organizations in the US that give out free picture books. First Book is the largest and gives out millions of books each year. I wonder what people think it takes to make this approach a really meaningful contribution in the struggle to foster literacy? Is it enough just to get the books into children's hands? Or is some sort of backup, including possibly even training for parents, also needed? Has anyone seen instances of book give-aways that work especially well in producing a positive long term impact?
I also have questions about the selection of the books that are given away by literacy groups and suspect that publishers sometimes use these programs for inventory control and possibly also for tax advantages, with the benefit to children given a relatively low priority.
Leonard
Leonard S. Marcus 54 Willow Street, #2A Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
T 718 596-1897 E leonardsma_at_aol.com W www.leonardmarcus.com
-----Original Message-----
From: sully_at_sully-writer.com To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Sent: Sat, Nov 6, 2010 2:16 pm Subject: RE:
Cost of Picture Books
For people who cannot afford to purchase picture books there is that wonderful, too frequently forgotten resource, called the public library. I see no shortage of them in my local public library nor do I see any lack of interest on the part of parents borrowing them. In my state and others, there's something called the "Imagination Library," started by Dolly Parton that sends a book a month for children through the age of 5. It's available to anyone who up signs for the program . There's a huge used bookstore in Knoxville where you can buy quality hardcover picture books in excellent condition for as little as $6.00. I don't think the issue is so much the cost of books as it is what people value. Even people with lower incomes spend their money on what they think is important. Video games or books? Toys or books? How many parents, regardless of economic class, will give picture books to their children instead of the latest toys or electronic gadgets for Hanukkah or Christmas?
Edward T. Sullivan, Rogue Librarian Author, The Ultimate Weapon: The Race to Develop the Atomic Bomb (Holiday House, 2007) Visit my web site, http://www.sully-writer.com Visit my blog, Rogue Librarian: All About Books and Reading http://sullywriter.wordpress.com Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/sullywriter
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:53:57 -0500
Certainly some publishers can gain from giving away books that aren't selling. Some of the best books don't sell well, however. I have not been a part of an organization that gives away books to individual children and can't speak with authority about the impact of the giveaways.
It is reasonable to assume that some sort of introduction to the books would make them more valued by the children and their parents. If the child makes the selection, that could be difficult in terms of a prescribed preliminary activity when the books are circulated. Getting parents to attend training sessions could be challenging, also.
I am a volunteer for a museum, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), that gives books to classrooms that tour exhibits of art by picture book artists. The classrooms receive the books, not individual children. The children and teachers are taken on a docent-led tour in which they see original art by the featured artist, explore design elements and the principles of art that are most relevant to the exhibiting artist, and learn about the artist's life. Most of the children are eager to read the books at the conclusion of the 40-to-50-minute tour, partly because the tours are targeted for specific grade levels. The children can compare the original art with the published books and learn "insider" information that the artist has shared. The classrooms also receive special art supplies and instructions on how to use them. For example, for the NCCIL's current exhibit of Brian Selznick's art, the classrooms get soft back copies of THE BOY OF A THOUSAND FACES, THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUS E HAWKINS, and RIDING FREEDOM, plus a Bic pen for each child (one of Selznick's favorites) and watercolor paper. The cost of the books and supplies are underwritten by the museum members and the exhibit sponsors.
In the scope of giveaway programs, this is small. In these tough economic times, publishers rarely contribute books. Once upon a time, they were very generous with books that were among the best by the featured artist. I have to believe that the NCCIL's practice has a positive impact, but obviously, it touches a fairly small group of children.
By the way, Mr. Marcus is the NCCIL's valued consultant, but he did not solicit this response and he was not referring to the NCCIL's book giveaway programs in his inquiry.
----- Original Message -----
From: leonardsma_at_aol.com To: sully@sully-writer.com ; ccbc-net@lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 1:40 PM Subject: Re:
Cost of Picture Books
There are a number of literacy organizations in the US that give out free picture books. First Book is the largest and gives out millions of books each year. I wonder what people think it takes to make this approach a really meaningful contribution in the struggle to foster literacy? Is it enough just to get the books into children's hands? Or is some sort of backup, including possibly even training for parents, also needed? Has anyone seen instances of book give-aways that work especially well in producing a positive long term impact?
I also have questions about the selection of the books that are given away by literacy groups and suspect that publishers sometimes use these programs for inventory control and possibly also for tax advantages, with the benefit to children given a relatively low priority.
Leonard
Leonard S. Marcus 54 Willow Street, #2A Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
T 718 596-1897 E leonardsma_at_aol.com W www.leonardmarcus.com
-----Original Message-----
From: sully_at_sully-writer.com To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Sent: Sat, Nov 6, 2010 2:16 pm Subject: RE:
Cost of Picture Books
For people who cannot afford to purchase picture books there is that wonderful, too frequently forgotten resource, called the public library. I see no shortage of them in my local public library nor do I see any lack of interest on the part of parents borrowing them. In my state and others, there's something called the "Imagination Library," started by Dolly Parton that sends a book a month for children through the age of 5. It's available to anyone who up signs for the program . There's a huge used bookstore in Knoxville where you can buy quality hardcover picture books in excellent condition for as little as $6.00. I don't think the issue is so much the cost of books as it is what people value. Even people with lower incomes spend their money on what they think is important. Video games or books? Toys or books? How many parents, regardless of economic class, will give picture books to their children instead of the latest toys or electronic gadgets for Hanukkah or Christmas?
Edward T. Sullivan, Rogue Librarian Author, The Ultimate Weapon: The Race to Develop the Atomic Bomb (Holiday House, 2007) Visit my web site, http://www.sully-writer.com Visit my blog, Rogue Librarian: All About Books and Reading http://sullywriter.wordpress.com Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/sullywriter
---Received on Sat 06 Nov 2010 02:53:57 PM CDT
