Results Are in: ABC Children's Group Silent Auction Was a Success

The donated artwork on display in The Crystal Palace

The ABC Children's Group Silent Auction and Reception, which took place at this year's BookExpo America (BEA) raised nearly $30,000. As a result of ABC's merge with ABA earlier this year, the Silent Auction, which is now in its 17^th year, was transformed into a benefit for the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE). The proceeds are going toward the creation of a new Fund for Free Speech in Children’s Books, which will support kids-related initiatives throughout the year.

More than 180 pieces of art were donated by well-known children's book illustrators, with 119 pieces on display for live bidding at BEA and the remaining pieces held for an online auction during Banned Books Week in September.

“We couldn’t be happier with the BEA auction and hope for further success in the online auction of another 70 pieces during Banned Books Week,” said ABFFE President Chris Finan. “Among other things, the money will allow us to proceed with plans to expand the Kids Right to Read Project, which we co-sponsor with the National Coalition Against Censorship.”

Prior to the auction, the artwork was put on display at BEA on Tuesday, May 24, in the Crystal Palace. The exhibit was well-trafficked, and raffle ticket sales doubled through this prominent exposure, said Kristen McLean, consultant to the ABC Children’s Group at ABA.

The honorary chair of the ABC Children’s Group Silent Auction was ABC favorite Laurie Halse Anderson, who was chosen in part because of her articulate and spirited responses to the banning and challenging of her novels , as well as her passion for independent booksellers.  

“The success of the ABFFE auction is a strong statement and celebration of the importance of intellectual freedom and the power of art,” said Halse Anderson, who noted that she was delighted by the results of the auction.

At the silent auction at BEA, Halse Anderson was joined by more than 400 booksellers, authors, publishers, and other children’s book enthusiasts, and the bidding was heavy. The tone of the event was warm and friendly, said McLean, and the mixing and mingling took place against a backdrop of musical entertainment provided by Putumayo World Music artists, The Sweet Remains.

“It was a really wonderful evening, and so inspiring to see how much the new mission of the event resonated with both the artists and the attendees,” said McLean. “I especially loved seeing that artwork on display in the Crystal Palace. For those of us who have worked on the auction for many years, we have always wanted to share the amazing work with more people. I mean, when you pull an original Ian Schoenherr or a Kevin Henkes out of the box and it's shining like a jewel, the first thing you want to do it show it to somebody because it's so cool. It was a win-win-win; for the artists, for the children's booksellers of the ABC, and most of all for ABFFE's important programs. Truly, it was great.”

At the end of the night, the Silent Auction generated $29,670 for ABFFE's new Fund for Free Speech in Children’s Books.

“With the addition of the money from September’s online component, this year’s auction may prove to be the most successful in ABC’s history,” said McLean, “and proof of the support of the new cause.”

The online auction will take place in September to coincide with Banned Books Week. Upcoming issues of BTW will have full information.