A Shift in Author Roles for Digital Children's Books

Penguin UK's Eric Huang talks about new children's book authors in the ever-growing market of e-books and enhanced e-books for young readers.

The New Breed of Children's Book Authors

Scholastic's Top Trends for 2013

Scholastic has released its list of top trends that it thinks will dominate children's books in 2013. Take a look here:

Children's Books Trends for 2013

New Structure for NY Times Children's Bestsellers List

A big change is coming to the New York Times Children's Bestsellers list: chapter books will move into their own separate lists, with a new list each for middle grade and YA. Read more here:

NYT Creates Separate Middle Grade & YA Bestsellers Lists

A Lack of Hispanic Characters in Children's Books

The New York Times takes note of a gap in children's books -- Hispanic characters -- and discusses the impact it has on one of the fastest-growing minorities in the country.

Young Latino Students Don't See Themselves in Books

Big Increases in Children's/YA E-Book Sales

With growth in sales of all segments of the children's/YA market, e-books take a massive lead. E-book sales have grown almost 200% over last year. For a full report, see here:

Children's & YA eBook Revenues Rose 196% in August

Top Children's Books from the NY Times

The New York Times has released its list of the best children's books of 2012. Take a look here:

Notable Children's Books of 2012

HarperCollins Creates New Digital Imprint for YA Market

HarperCollins is launching a new digital YA imprint for short stories and novellas. The new imprint, which they've called HarperTeen Impulse, will start sales on December 4th.

HarperCollins Imprint Aims at Lucrative Young Adult Market

Scholastic News

Scholastic is having a tougher year than expected:

Scholastic Reduces Earnings Estimates

E-Publishing News

There are a lot of interesting things coming to e-books. Which ones are you most looking forward to?

Choose Your Own Adventure

Babysitters Club

5 amazing iPad e-books for kids

Sweet Valley High

Is Another Major Publishing House Merger In The Works?

Random House and Penguin's merger last month was big news in the publishing world. Is there another big merger in the works between Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins?

News Corp. Interested in Buying Simon and Schuster

Who Is Moving Where?

Read about the staffing changes in the children's publishing world over the last year and a half:

Who's Moving Where? News and Staff Changes at Children's Book Publishers

Random Book Dispenser

While this doesn't really have anything to do with children's books specifically, I thought some people might find it interesting anyway. A bookstore in Toronto has created a Random Book Dispenser.

Scholastic Donates to Sandy Victims

NY, NJ and beyond continue to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy's devastation. We are heartened to see Scholastic assist in the recovery effort by donating books and other educational information to aid in the recovery efforts:

Scholastic Donates One Million Books

Trend Seen in Children's Books by Athletes

Forbes points to a new trend in children's books written by athletes. Say David Bagga, one such author: “We want to impact kids’ lives in some way or another. We want them to know how hard you have to work to accomplish your goals, and if they do, then they’ll be ready for the hard work.”

The Literary Market That Could: Athlete-Published Children's Books on an Uptrend

KidLit Steps Up to Help Out After Sandy

At Towards the Waiting Woods, we felt the affects of Hurricane Sandy -- both editors of this blog are based in New York -- so it was nice to see the children's publishing community working on the relief efforts.

KidLit Community Steps Up for Sandy Victims

Children's and YA Book Revenue Up

Chlidren's and YA books continue to be on the rise in all categories (hardcover, paperback, digital, and board back). See how they match up to adult book sales: Chilren's/YA Revenues Up

Books and Anti-Bullying

Books are more than just a great escape and a way to visit foreign places, they are also a means to teach children about more serious topics such as acceptance and bullying: A Call to Action: Bullying and Books

Merger Confirmed

Earlier we noted the merger of Random House and Penguin as a possibility. It has now been confirmed: Random House, Penguin Agree to Merge

Possible Merger of Two "Big Six" Houses

This news isn't exclusive to children's publishing, but it's big enough to merit mention on this blog. Penguin and Random House may be merging, according to a statement put out today.

Random House, Penguin May Merge

Big Leaps in 2012 Book Sales

Children's an YA book sales from the first half of 2012 have jumped considerably as compared to the same time frame in 2011.

Children's and YA Revenues Up Nearly 41% This Year

J.K. Rowling Confirms that Next Book Will Be for Children

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has just released her first book for adults, The Casual Vacancy, announced that the next book that she plans to release will be for children.

Rowling's Next Book to Be Children's Title

JK Rowling's next book 'very likely' to be a children's book

Just a Kid Living in an Adults' Body

Not ready to be an adult? Still find yourself drawn to young adult books? You're not alone. According to a New Study: 55% of YA Books Bought by Adults.

I Remember When I Was Young...

What book makes you nostalgic for when you were growing up? Check out Galley Cat's top 15: 15 Books That Make Us Feel Nostalgic

A Growing YA Publisher

Ever the good news for the young adult publishing world, a recently established young adult publisher is growing quickly. Learn more about Spencer Hill Press: A YA Press Grows in New Hampshire

Famous Names in Publishing

More famous names are looking to become children's book authors. First there was Chris Colfer and Snoop Dogg, not to mention Julie Andrews, Steve Martin and Jamie Lee Curtis, now there is Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey, signing a three book deal with Penguin's Dial for Young Readers. Read more about it here: Mets Pitcher Dickey Signs Children's Book Deal

A Look at Kids' Publishing this Fall

With doomsayers constantly predicting the downfall of the publishing industry, optimists need only look at the growth of children's and YA publishing to see why they should continue to have hope. Here's a look at what's coming up this fall.

Children's literature is a fast-growing genre thanks to 'Potter' & Co.

Expanding Into YA

Two adult publishers are expanding into YA publishing. Find out which ones here: Two Adult Houses Launch YA Imprints

The Top Teen Fiction, According to NPR

NPR did a poll and came up with a list of the top young adult novels. How many have you read?

Your Favorites: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels

Scholastic's New Harry Potter Reading Club

Scholastic launched a new Harry Potter reading club site, complete with information about the books, discussion guides for teachers, and an upcoming webcast with author J.K. Rowling. For more info, take a look here:

New Harry Potter Site Launches; J.K. Rowling Live Webcast Scheduled

Creating Children's Imprints

More than one publishing house is expanding into the ever-growing field of middle grade and young adult books. Find more here:

• Seven Stories Creates Children's Imprint  
• B&H Announces New Children's Imprint

Unexpected Reason for Surge in YA e-Books

E-book sales are surging for YA books -- but not because of actual young adults. Read more here:

Adults and Young Adults Alike Are Flocking to e-Books

Top-Selling Kids' Books of All Time

Ever wonder which children's books have sold the most copies ever? Unsurprisingly, Harry Potter takes a few of the tops spots on the list. Take a look at the rest:

20 Best-Selling Children's Books of All Time

I Don't Wanna Grow Up

With shelf space limited, the high demand of children's books keeps this section of bookstores growing across college campuses:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/53003-children-s-books-taking-college-campuses-by-storm.html

Reaching YA Readers with Texts

Simon & Schuster has come up with an interesting new way of reaching out to their YA readers -- text messaging. Read more here:

Simon & Schuster Reaches Out to Teen Readers Through Texting

Beautiful Children's Books

Flavorwire has put together a list of the 20 most beautiful children's books. Their list, complete with pictures, is here:

The 20 Most Beautiful Children's Books of All Time

Finding Waldo Outside of Books

Candlewick and the American Booksellers Association have teamed up to celebrate Where's Waldo's 25th anniversary with a fun and creative idea:

Finding Waldo on Main Street

On Tap for the Summer of 2012

Children's booksellers are taking a look at their expectations for summer sales and reading choices, and they like what they see:

Taking the Pulse of Children's Bookselling--and Summer Reading

New Study Reveals Differences Between Print and E-Books for Children

Here is some interesting new info on how children interact with e-books and print books:

E-Books vs. Print Books: Some New Findings

Enhanced E-Books For Young Readers: Are They Good Or Bad?

A recent study shows that enhanced ebooks, though they may engage more reluctant readers, are more distraction then help when it comes to literacy.

Enhanced ebooks are bad for children finds American study

The Big Books at BEA 2012

For anyone not able to make it to this year's BEA, here's a run-down of the big titles that were featured there:

BEA 2012: Big Books for Kids: Surveying the Scene

Beloved and Groundbreaking Author Maurice Sendak Dies

Earlier this week, Maurice Sendak died. Known for books like Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen, Sendak defined children's literature for multiple generations. His books presented a darker worldview that resonated more deeply with the reality of children's worlds.

Maurice Sendak, Children's Author, Dies at 83

J.K. Rowling Announces New Book, Re-formatted Website

In a bit of news that's not exactly children's-publishing-specific, but which is certainly related, Rowling announced that her new adult book, titled The Casual Vacancy, will be released on September 27th.

J.K. Rowling's New Book "The Casual Vacancy" Out 27th September 2012

Rowling also re-released her website, which features a timeline about her life, Harry Potter, and this new book.

www.jkrowling.com (Country-specific sites are linked to within.)

Scholastic Announces New E-Book Platform

Scholastic's new platform will launch in its beta version soon, with separate versions for different age groups. Read more here:

Scholastic Launches Storia, a New Digital Platform

J.K. Rowling to Publish Adult Book

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has signed a deal with Little, Brown to publish a new book, this time for adults. Take a look a coverage here:

J. K. Rowling Has Deal for New Novel for Adults

New Top Books List from Scholastic

Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine recently released its latest list of top kids' books. Take a look here:

'Charlotte's Web' tops list of '100 great books for kids'

What the Experts Are Saying

Though there have been pitfalls and game-changers, overall this has been a good year for children's publishing. Read that and more here:

Four Industry Veterans Lay Out Advice at SCBWI

With Lots New in the Industry, Some Constancy as Well

While some aspects of the publishing industry are changing rapidly, certain facets remain the same:

How to Navigate a Changing Business? Children's Agents Shed Some Light

Children's Books Sticking with Print, While YA is Going Digital

Children's publishers don't foresee a big leap into digital sales for younger readers this year. YA books, on the other hand, are likely to grow their digital sales significantly. Read more here:

YA market ripe for digital, say publishers

On Children's E-Books

The following link contains a whole slew of information on what people are finding as they more closely examine children's interactions with e-books. Take a look:

For Reading and Learning, Kids Prefer E-Books to Print Books

A Good Holiday Season for Children's Bookstores

While bookstore owners are still not letting go of all of their worries, they report happily on a very successful holiday season. Read more:


Wimpy, Hungry Holiday Titles Keep Cash Registers Ringing