BTW News Briefs

AAP/ALSC Task Force Creates Children's Title List to Promote Literacy Among Hispanic and Latino Communities

To support the celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day 2008) this April 30, the Publishing for Latino Voices Task Force of the Association of American Publishers and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has created a recommended reading list of children's books in both English and Spanish for ages infancy through 14 years for parents and others who choose books for children.

The bibliography features approximately two-dozen English- and Spanish-language titles published by AAP members and selected by ALSC's Quicklists Consulting Committee. The list includes bilingual picture books, coming-of-age stories, and nonfiction, all celebrating Latin culture and Latin American identity. The bibliography will be made available to libraries and other organizations participating in Da celebrations and at BookExpo America 2008 and other spring events and conferences. American Booksellers Association member participating in the Book Sense program will be receiving the list in Spring Children's White Box mailing.

The bibliography is currently available as two downloadable PDFs on the AAP website.

NEIBA to Hold Emerging Leaders Gathering

The New England Independent Booksellers Association is sponsoring a gathering of Emerging Leaders on Thursday, March 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Northampton Brewery at 11 Brewster Court in Northampton, Massachusetts (413-584-9983).

The gathering will include NEIBA Board member Dick Hermans, the owner of Oblong Books & Music, and his bookseller daughter, Suzanna. Hermans will share his experiences as a long-time bookseller, and NEIBA will provide an update on what it's doing to reach out to independent bookstores across New England. There will also be food, wine, beer, and lively, stimulating conversation.

NEIBA has extended the invitation to "everyone affiliated with a NEIBA member store or publisher -- especially the frontlist booksellers and younger publishing folks who don't always get to attend the Winter Institute or BEA or the NEIBA Fall Trade Show." A response is requested by March 7 to steve@neba.org.

Oprah's New Pick: A New Earth

This week, Oprah announced her newest Book Club Selection, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Ekhart Tolle (Penguin).

The Oprah website is also offering readers a chance to join Oprah and Tolle "as they teach A New Earth in Oprah's worldwide classroom live Monday nights on Oprah.com." Users can reserve a seat in the 10-week interactive webinar, where they will be able to watch and participate in the live classroom webcasts and ask Oprah and Eckhart questions before and during class, among other things.

Thomas Nelson Plans to Go Green

Thomas Nelson, Inc. recently announced a new environmental plan and paper policy. The company's environmental initiative, which was developed in consultation with the Green Press Initiative, outlines aggressive measures including reducing paper consumption, increasing the use of recycled paper, supporting best practices in forest management, and creating awareness and educational programs for employees, customers, and suppliers.

Thomas Nelson said it plans to reduce paper consumption by at least 30 percent by the year 2012 through the development of innovative methods to more accurately match the supply printed with consumer demand. The company also plans to increase the amount of recycled content in all of the processes related to manufacturing their products. By 2012, the publisher expects to use an average of at least 30 percent recycled fiber of which most is post consumer. The company also is working to eliminate the use of paper that may contain fiber from endangered and old growth forest areas.

Thomas Nelson also announced the creation of an environmental task force that is responsible for continuing in the development of the long-term sustainability plan, educating employees on ways to contribute to conservation efforts, working with suppliers and customers to create green awareness campaigns, and implementing company-wide guidelines for reducing the carbon-footprint.

Seattle Seahawks Football Coach ... and Future Bookseller?

As football fans eagerly await this Sunday's Superbowl, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (SPI) reported that Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren may be considering becoming a bookseller. SPI interviewed Holmgren prior to his team's playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, and asked him about his plans for the future if he decided to retire at the end of the season. Holmgren indicated that one of his options was opening a bookstore.

"I've always wanted to buy a bookstore," Holmgren told SPI. "You know, sell some of those muffins and a little coffee. I don't care if we make any money. I don't want to lose a lot of money, but we could visit with people and get books."

Alas, this dream will have to wait, as Holmgren recently announced he will return to coach the Seahawks for another season.