Readers Respond
Last week, we published an article about Abrams’s decision to cease publication of Bad Little Children’s Books, a satirical collection of imaginary children’s book covers that created a firestorm on social media due to what many deemed offensive content. Commenters fiercely debated whether this is an example of censorship or protection from hate speech:
Once you ban one book, it is a raindrop that is followed by another and another, and soon you have a flood that results in books that are only deemed “appropriate.” —Thomas S. Mulvaugh
There is a difference between “hate speech” and free speech. In the same way, you cannot yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater just because you feel like it. This book was in very bad, insulting, racist taste, and designed to look like a children’s book. How is that a good idea? —Kathleen Fain
I agree that the book is tasteless, offensive, and filled with stereotyping of any number of peoples. My protest is that I do not have to buy it. —John Conley
Read the article and more comments.
From the Newsletters
This week’s best new books.
Introducing the expanded Children’s Book Week 2017.
How indie authors can make the most of Google Adwords.
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The most-read review on publishersweekly.com last week was White Tears by Hari Kunzru (Knopf).
Blogs
The true heart and soul of a bookstore is its staff.
Podcasts
PW senior writer Andrew Albanese previews some of the big books of spring. Plus a look at Trump-related titles hitting in early 2017.
Ron Wimberly talks about the new hardcover edition of Prince of Cats (Image), his acclaimed hip-hop-influenced graphic novel adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
Author Jeff Howe discusses his new book with Joi Ito, Whiplash: How to Survive Our Faster Future (Grand Central).
Children’s Starred Reviews Annual
This year’s edition of the annual collection features 390 starred reviews of children’s and young adult books that published in 2016.
