Martha Davis Beck, Editor, Riverbank Review (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
I never stopped reading the books of my childhood. For a time, this was something of a surreptitious activity. It probably would have embarrassed me, in my
twenties, to be caught reading Make Way for Ducklings or Harriet the Spy, rather than the “official” reading of that period of my life—weighty novels, challenging poetry, esoteric theory. But it wasn't a
matter of choosing one over the other; I've just always had the desire to keep children's books a part of the mix, one thread of many that nourish, provoke, and sustain me.
There are many reasons why children's literature can be an important part of an adult reading life. One has to do with the underrated activity of rereading.
Books we read—throughout our lives—serve as touchstones. To revisit a book from the past involves touching that time again, keeping it alive in yourself, and gaining insight into who you have become. I don't believe we
are only creatures of the present: we carry our personal histories within us. By honoring and remaining connected to the person you have been at each phase in life, you increase your capacity to connect with other people of all
ages, and the whole manner in which you engage with the world is deepened.
Another reason to read children's books is that some of our finest writing and art can be found in this branch of literature. It's a shame that so many
people assume otherwise—that children's books are “dumbed down” versions of adult work. One need only look at the number of lackluster efforts at children's books by celebrity authors to recognize what avid readers of
this literature know: creating an artful children's book is not as easy as it seems. Like poetry, children's literature involves compression. Knowing what to leave out is as important as knowing what to put in. Because
imaginative play is still a valued part of young people's experience, children's books also have unusual leeway to take risks, to confront big questions, and to experiment with narrative and visual form. The world of
children's literature includes daring art, astonishing poetry (in the texts of picture books as well as in books of verse), and stories that can change the way a person—of any age—looks at the world.
Marilyn Dugan, Owner, A Likely Story Children's Bookstore (Alexandria, Virginia)
The role of bookseller is a magical one! I surround myself daily with beautiful artwork, stories that lift the heart, make me laugh, or open my eyes to a new
way of thinking. For almost twenty years I have had the pleasure of putting the right book into the right hands at the right time. As a children's specialty bookseller I see a lot of the new crop of children's books each
season, but there is never enough time or energy to see them all. Serving on this year's Not Just for Children Anymore! panel introduced me to some titles that were missed over the last few years and reacquainted me with books that have been favorites.
It was a broadeningexperience to view all of the submissions through adult eyes rather than limiting myself to how a child would respond to the work. The books
that we have selected for this edition of Not Just for Children Anymore! are titles that we felt that an adult would enjoy—books that make a difference, books that would make one laugh, books that bring discovery. We selected books that fit specific gift-giving occasions; books that raise our consciousness about inequities and injustice; books that are simply beautiful to look at; and books to inform. I hope you enjoy our selections.
Wendi Gratz, Children's Book Buyer, Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Davis-Kidd Booksellers (Columbus, Ohio)
When I started my bookstore career, I was drawn to the children's section simply because my memories of those books were so strong. I loved rediscovering old
favorites and recommending them to a new generation of kids. And the kids who liked my recommendations made recommendations of their own—Holes, The Giver, The Midwife's Apprentice. I discovered that my
love of kids books wasn't all about nostalgia; the best kids books are simply wonderful books. And so I became a pusher of children's books to readers of all ages.
Some children's books are great companions to adult books. Before teaching Animal Farm, I recommend that teachers use Farmer Duck and Click, Clack, Moo as a humorous introduction to the idea of the farm as a setting for labor disputes.
Want to learn a little bit about just about anything? Go to the kids section. Many adults are amazed at just how much information is packed into some of those
books. Pick up any book in the Eyewitness series and be absorbed for hours.
And then there is the artwork! Some of today's best artists are illustrating children's books—Christopher Myers, Leo and Diane Dillon, Chris Raschka,
Lisbeth Zwerger, William Joyce, Peter Sís, Allen Say—just to name a bare handful of the those whose work would look right at home in any art gallery.
There are so many wonderful children's books out there for readers of all ages. Choose one from this catalog that piques your interest, and you may find the
kids section is the first place you go on your next trip to the bookstore. . .
Charlotte Hohman, Buyer, Baker & Taylor (Bridgewater, New Jersey)
I was bitten by the book bug at an early age. One of my fondest memories from school in England was helping the Head Master unpack and catalog the books for the
school library. Back then I loved, and today, still love, the smell of new books. As an adult, I've always enjoyed reading children's books and have always found humor and relief in them. When the stresses of everyday life
get to you, pick up Roald Dahl's The Witches or The Twits. I guarantee you will smile.
I joined the bookselling world when my children started school. At first, it was on a part-time basis, but I enjoyed the job so much that I ended up working
full time and soon became bookstore manager. As manager, my responsibilities included stocking and making new purchases for the large children's section. For the last six years, I have worked at Baker & Taylor as a book
buyer. I love my job and am very fortunate to see and read so many books.
It was an honor to be chosen as a panelist for this year's Not Just For Children Anymore! selection. I was in the company of some of the book
industry's finest. We all had our favorites and tended to be passionate about them; and, of course, we were disappointed when a favorite didn't make the cut. The selection meeting was a fun albeit long day, but we were all
pleased with the final selections. I hope you will enjoy them as well.