I got involved in the publishing industry about a year ago because I believe so deeply that children need more quality literature and I wanted my own children to have the best. I won't say that all your books should come from my company; there are certainly other great books out there too. But there are some important things to keep in mind as you hit the book stores and internet. Fact is, there is a lot of junk produced to keep the big retailers operating. Sift through your choices wisely.
I think a brief introduction to the history of children's publishing is important in understanding the driving forces behind the bulk of products for children in our modern day. (my thanks to Richele Baburina for some of this info in this paragraph) It wasn't until the mid 1800's when books written for children moved beyond primers and textbooks, and authors started creating literature for children, but at that day and age, there was no mass-marketing. Libraries and public schools were the main market for children's books and leading, value-oriented librarians served as the gate-keepers to ensure the quality of publication. The non-institutional market for children's books opened up in 1942 with the introduction of Little Golden Books and the Baby Boom fueled that movement. Fast-forward to the 1980's, when we saw two major developments in the industry: big publishing houses and large chain retailers. The new gate-keepers in children's publishing became the central buyers for those stores and decisions became profit-driven; giving rank to blockbuster titles, star authors, and media tie-ins. Publishers, in many cases, actually purchase advantageous book placement and display from the stores. In this model, we are left wondering where the content figures in. Our children are taught to be consumers at an early age. No longer do our families treasure heirloom quality literature; rather, we purchase flimsy and poorly written books based on TV cartoons because they match the collection of happy meal toys. Do I even need to mention the video games and the disproportionate level of emphasis that has been placed upon them in our society?
About the time I came to that extreme but true realization, I also found Barefoot Books, an independent publisher founded 15 yrs ago by two women just like me. Their incredible vision and determination has led to an unusual and successful business model that includes the best interest of our children's development at the core of the company. The company's focus is on an effort to stir the creative power of children with imaginative art and meaningful story, create a sense of global community by presenting stories from around the world, and maintain the highest level of product quality.
So how do you build the best home or school library for your children? Seek out the books that you remember from your childhood, the folktales that your Grandmother told you, and new books that strike on important values that you'd like to promote within your family. Avoid products that just bring us back to the television set or otherwise reinforce consumer madness. Give your children books that they will be proud to own, rather than disposable booklets compiled by staff writers in a marketing department. Remember that children don't learn best via flashcards and that the best road to literacy and love of literature is simply by reading to your child. Engage their senses with sing-a-longs and stunning artwork. As the custodians of our future, they truly deserve no less. Happy Reading!
