2008-12-12: HarperCollins Children's in Publisher Spotlight

The Book Checkout: Why is HarperCollins Children’s so enthusiastic about libraries and schools?

HarperCollins Children's: It doesn’t hurt that our School & Library Marketing Department has a lot of librarians in it (Patty Rosati and Dina Sherman are both librarians, and Lillie Walsh is in library school right now), but we believe that libraries are crucial to getting books into the hands of kids. After all – why publish great children’s books if no one knows about them? Librarians are on the front lines, helping connect each kid to the right book. And with the economy the way it is, kids (and adults) need libraries more than ever!

TBC: Tell us about some upcoming titles and/or new authors you want to spread the word about.

HC: This Fall may have been one of our favorite seasons ever – with amazing new books by Sharon Creech (Hate That Cat), Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book), Kevin Henkes (Old Bear) and Terry Pratchett (Nation). How do we top that?

Luckily, we have more great books coming out this Winter from Meg Cabot (the final book in the beloved Princess Diaries series – Princess Diaries X: Forever Princess), Henry Cole (Trudy), Antoinette Portis (A Penguin Story), Lemony Snicket (The Composer Is Dead), and Virginia Euwer Wolff (the conclusion to the Make Lemonade trilogy – This Full House).

TBC: What’s the best way to learn more about HarperCollins Children’s and your new books?

HC: Visit our Teachers & Librarians website at www.harpercollinschildrens.com for the latest news, featured books and authors, and to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

TBC: What’s the best way to acquire books for libraries or schools from HarperCollins Children’s?

HC: We encourage everyone to sign up for our First Look program, where each month we offer Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of great books that you will have the chance to read and review before they are available in stores. And of course all of our books are available from our warehouse or via book wholesalers and retailers around the country.

TBC: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

HC: You can request an author or illustrator to visit your library by filling out our online form. You can also see a list of which authors are available for visits, how to order books for the event, and other useful tips.