From: Megan Schliesman <schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu>
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:12:50 -0600

Caroline Jones wrote:

"As a former bookseller, I can't help but return to the market in scenarios such as this one. Perhaps many publishers perceive Latino topics as too politicized in the current climate? With the Latino population growing so healthily, it seems ridiculous that they don't choose to capitalize on the increasing market."

I have no doubt the business side of publishing looks at potential sales as a huge, driving force (the huge, driving force?). I'm not saying that as a criticism, but a fact. And we have certainly heard, anecdotally, that those on the creative side of publishing can find it hard to push books they believe in through.

I hope this isn't about Latino topics being perceived as too politicized. "Latino" literature (or any multiclutural literature) includes great family stories (e.g., "I Love Saturdays and Domingos" by Alma Flor Ada ) and silly stories (e.g., "The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred" by Samantha R. Vamos; "Just a Minute" by Yuyi Morales) and even a little-girl-loving- kitttens story ("A Box Full of Kittens" by Sonia Manzano). These are just as important as books that explore more serious dimensions of experience. (As an aside, I had a reference request recently for books about Latino experience for older readers that weren't about immigration or struggles in the barrio. The person was not disregarding the importance of such books or experiences, but did not want students getting only that perspective on Latino experience.)

To what extent is there is a disconnect between perception and reality when it comes to sales? As I mentioned in my opening post, we are hearing the demand for books in Spanish, and for books with culturally authentic Latino content, all the time from teachers and librarians in Wisconsin. There's a market out there, but teachers and librarians want quality, not just quantity. And quality comes on the creative end, first from authors and illustrators, and then editors who believe in their work, and who have the support to shephard a book, and sometimes a new talent, to publication.

I know that isn't easy. But if I am talking to librarians and teachers in small Wisconsin communities in need of such books, then that demand exists exponentially. But is that reflected in sales figures of Latino literature?

Publishers need to do their part--and not just the wonderful small presses like Cinco Puntos, which Caroline mentioned.

But the rest of us need to do our part, too, following up our demands for Latino literature with purchasing that sends a message that it is valued, and it will sell.

So back to the question: Where are the books? Not the books that are already published--there are terrific offerings--but the books to-be. Is there intent to meet this growing demand in a meaningful way? (By that I mean seeking out works that speak to diverse experiences and perspectives within the Latino community, that offer up human experience and history and humor and everything else we would expect to find in literature in general.)

And will we buy them?

Megan

-- Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison 600 N. Park Street, Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706

608/262-9503 schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu

www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Received on Tue 05 Feb 2013 04:12:50 PM CST