Newmarket's New Book Sense Title Takes Shape

Book Sense Best Children's Books: Favorites for All Ages Recommended by Independent Booksellers -- a collaboration of Newmarket Press and ABA's Book Sense marketing program -- will be published this September. The new title, which builds on the success of Book Sense Best Books: 125 Favorite Books Recommended by Independent Booksellers, published by Newmarket in 2004, features 240 favorite children's books recommendations from independent booksellers with Book Sense. Cornelia Funke, a Book Sense Book of the Year Children's Literature winner, has written the book's foreword, and brief bookseller essays introduce each of its eight sections. In addition, drawings from award-winning illustrators Peter Sis, Mark Teague, Ian Falconer, Betsy Lewin, David Shannon, Jane Dyer, Brett Helquist, and Jon J. Muth are featured throughout the book.

"We're grateful to Newmarket for partnering with us on this project, and we're especially excited to be able to include essays from expert booksellers and artwork from some of the best illustrators in the industry," said Book Sense Marketing Director Mark Nichols, who has written the book's introduction. "With its extensive lists and indices, we're certain this title will be an exceptionally useful reference for booksellers, consumers, and librarians."

Recommended titles are arranged by age and format: Babies and Toddlers, Picture Books for Younger Children, Picture Books for Older Children, Chapter Books, Middle Grade (Ages 8 - 12), Young Adult (Ages 12 and up), Nonfiction, and Holiday.

Booksellers with Book Sense who have contributed an essay to introduce the different sections are Dinah Paul of A Likely Story in Alexandria, Virginia; Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Texas; Beth Puffer of Bank Street Bookstore in New York City; Josie Leavitt and Elizabeth Bluemle of Flying Pig Children's Books in Charlotte, Vermont; Judy Nelson of Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop in Laverne, California; Ren Kirkpatrick of All for Kids Books & More, Seattle, Washington; Alison Morris of Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Ellen Davis, president of the Association of Booksellers for Children, from Dragonwings Bookstore in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

Orders for Book Sense Best Children's Books, which is a paperback, priced at $14.95, should be placed through Newmarket's distributor, W.W. Norton, at (800) 233-4830. The publisher also offers the book in a counter display, at a special 50 percent discount. --Karen Schechner