Given that children’s book buyer Meghan Goel of BookPeople in Austin, Tex., is president of the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association and that children’s books have been a bright spot for many stores this year, children’s authors were front and center at last weekend’s MPIBA trade show, held at the Renaissance Denver from September 30 to October 2. In fact the show opened with a Children’s Author and Illustrator Breakfast, featuring Loren Long (Otis and the Tornado, Philomel) and Jon Scieszka (SPHDZ Books #3, Simon & Schuster). Scieszka shared some of his favorite questions from kids: Is this a real job? How do you make your hair go out like that? And, do you come to birthday parties? He also demo’ed the new Spaceheadz app, "Fluffy Speaks," which allows children to translate just about any spoken word into "hamster." And at the closing luncheon James Crowley received the Reading the West Award for children’s books for Starfish (Disney-Hyperion).
Although some called this year’s show "laid back" in terms of attendance, the 350 booksellers and publishers who came were anything but, and MPIBA executive director Laura Ayrey said that she was "thrilled" with the outcome. "The trade show exceeded our expectations in every way," she told PW, "from the enthusiasm held by both booksellers and exhibitors surrounding the new venue to the dynamic, entertaining, and brilliant lineup of authors, to the buzz of the exhibit hall." In addition to moving the show to a new hotel, MPIBA made a number of tweaks to keep the show vibrant, including adding a Children’s Author Tea. This gave booksellers time to have a conversation with authors like Ann Cannon (Charlotte’s Rose, Univ. of Utah Press) and Barbara Hay (Lesson of the White Eagle, RoadRunner Press) rather than simply get their books signed.
There was also plenty of programming directed at booksellers in general and children’s booksellers in particular, including one on Building a Core Children’s Section, presented by Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Tex. Advising booksellers not to skip books about life events in their stores, she jokingly reminded them that "those darn kids just keep getting born and they keep getting christened." At her store, Koehler displays pre-wrapped books for new babies and has found that it opens up more gift-giving possibilities throughout the store. Koehler also suggested that booksellers reconsider the picture book category."Think of it as a moneymaker, not an add-on," she said."Book club people have e-readers. But they’re not buying picture books on e-readers." She also noted that one of the hottest trends in Houston is Grandma Baby Showers for first-time grandmothers.
In a session called Best Things I Did This Year, moderator Andy Nettle, co-owner of Back of Beyond Books in Moab, Ariz., remarked that 2011 has been a tough year. "I opened [this session] last year saying that this is the most challenging year ever, and we all need to share ideas," he said. As for this year, "ditto." he said. Among the suggestions offered was a reminder about sidelines from Becky Smith, manager of Town Crier Bookstore in Emporia, Kans., who encouraged anyone who hasn’t jumped into toys and games to do it now. She credits sidelines with not only helping the store make its numbers for the children’s section, but for the store overall. Several booksellers, including Arsen Kashkashian, inventory control manager at Boulder Bookstore in Boulder, Colo., said that they have moved to charging for events. "The jury is still out on if it’s our best idea," Kashkashian said. "Attendance has gone down, but book sales are growing. Now we’re looking at events with a more critical eye. Can we sell a $5 ticket?"
At one of a trio of panels created by publishers to give booksellers the 411, Ruth Liebmann, vp and director of account marketing for Random House, advised booksellers to make use of their best customers to sell more books. "A thread running through all the trade shows is what at Random House we’re calling 'the unofficial bookseller,' the person in your community who feels an emotional connection to your store," she said. MPIBA president Goel agreed. She’s doing that by inviting YA lit bloggers to come to store events, interview the authors, and create a buy-books link to BookPeople.com instead of Amazon.
The show also featured two days of rep picks and an active exhibit hall that drew booksellers like Nettle, who was looking for books he missed, since he doesn’t buy direct. "This show is more important to me than ever," he said. Similarly, Julie Shimada at Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, Colo., noted, "I look for authors and affirmation for what we ordered." MPIBA also offered an opportunity for new bookstore owners like Arvin Ram, who opened Townie Books in Crested Butte, Colo., just a few months ago, to meet with publishers and seasoned booksellers. Plus a new sidelines hallway drew exhibitors like LCT Enterprises, the makers of Woker, a new card game for kids and adults that mixes Scrabble with Poker.
“My brain is so full of fantastic ideas to bring back to Old Firehouse Books,” Tegan Hollen tweeted after the show. “Thank you for a great weekend, MPIBA.” A sentiment shared by many booksellers, including Joni Montover, owner of Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard in South Padre Island, Tex., who added, “Great show.”
