Thursday, August 24, 2017

Shopping, Horn Book Style

Just when I begin patting myself on the back for having all the best 2017 published children's books on my Ingram shopping lists already, I pick up the latest issue of The Horn Book, and in its delightful pages discover I have missed perhaps one of the most important chapter books of the year! Refugee by Alan Gratz holds in its description the promise of a powerful, timely, meaningful book that flies in the face of intolerant, unwelcoming spirit some very loud Americans have been showing to the world over the past months. Today's revelation is just the latest in a lengthy series of monthly upsets to my book buying self-assurance, reminding me yet again that there is a humongous market out there, and only with help from the best and brightest experts can I hope to really comb through it all for the best of the best for my young patrons.

While writing this, I flipped a Horn Book page and found another exciting gem, this time a YA novel I had also not yet heard of but that sounds amazing: Invictus by Ryan Graudin. Reading the description makes my heart pitter-patter at increasing speeds, in tune to the itching of my fingers to pull up Goodreads and add it to my TBR shelf.

So...I added it just now (couldn't wait another second) and was amazed to see the number of pre-publication, glowing reviews and ratings by Goodreads members. The book proves to be awesome for many fans of historical fiction and other genres as well as (like me) scifi lovers. Now I can hardly wait for the release!

For anyone reading this who works in a similar field to mine, Horn Book is worth the yearly cost! If you have a very limited book budget and really want to buy the finest books, from board and beginning reader up to YA, this is without a doubt a necessary resource.

Another, rather unusual resource I enjoy using sometimes, especially for filling gaps in my collection, is Pinterest. I most often notice these gaps when choosing books on a specific subject for storytime or summer reading programs. Pinterest will show me both individual books and recommended collections, which together alert me to books I NEED to have for my library. Equally as valuable for this purpose is the wide variety of wonderful blogs by my fellow children's librarians about their storytimes. The best ones include what books were read, songs were sung, fingerplays were acted, and crafts were used, with links to the books on Amazon or Goodreads. Some of my favorite picture book purchases were due to these recommendations. When I finally admitted to myself that conducting these Google searches during storytime planning did not render me weak or inadequate, but rather only helped enhance my programs and give my young patrons the best they can have, I turned a new leaf in my work. The tremendous increase in both storytime attendance and the steady influx of new faces tells me I am on the right track. No matter how great we are at being children's librarians, collectively, we are better. Seeking advice and assistance through simple, free searches is really a no-brainer.

On that note, I will return to Pirate Story Time planning, and to finishing my copy of the September/October Horn Book issue. Happy book shopping and program planning!