Y2K Sidelines Forecast
Cynthia Clark -- 1/3/00
New sidelines chart literary landscapes, children's imagination and the future
Year 2000 product lines are waiting in the wings. A glance at the early bloomers indicates that sidelines will continue their fin-de-siecle success into the new millennium, as publishers and manufactures expand existing lines and dabble in the new.
Sometimes it's hard to keep up with a prolific writer, and Time Traveler Maps of Mancos, Colo., is tracking none other than Tony Hillerman, author of 14 Jim Chee and J Leaphorn mysteries, all of which take place in the magnificent American Southwest. To aid fans in visualizing the events unfolding in the Navajo landscape, Time Traveler created Tony Hillerman's Indian Country Map & Guide, an annotated and illustrated survey of Hillerman's world. Recently updated to include the author's new mystery, Hunting Badger (HarperCollins), the map features an introduction by Hillerman, plus comments on the history of Native Americans living on the Colorado plateau, traveler's etiquette and a legend to the story elements keyed on the map (including page references to specific passages in each novel). Appropriately and atmospherically illustrated by Peter Thorpe, this intriguing literary companion piece successfully mimics the design of traditional road maps while literally charting each novel's course. Time Traveler specializes in the Southwest and publishes a geographic dictionary of Navajo lands in the 1930s, among several other offerings. Call (800) 753-7388, fax (970) 533-7879.
In 1999, Kate Harper Designs of Berkeley, Calif., cleverly held a national greeting card contest for quotations -- from children under the age of 12 -- to be used with her handmade designs. The end result was a line of amusing and touching cards for all ages. Now Harper has expanded that line, with similar success. Quotations are accompanied by a childlike drawings, both printed in black on colorful paper, cut and glued onto contrasting, recycled card stock. Personal favorites include: "If you want to be happy all the time, stay in your pajamas and watch cartoons all day" (Rachel McCullough, age 9) and "The older you get, the less you bug me. Happy birthday" (Emily Stone, age 10). Teachers (a class writing project?) and parents, take note: Harper continues to search for writers under 12 years old; enthusiasm is more important than skills. Payment (a small cash prize) and name credit upon acceptance. For submission guidelines, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Kate Harper Designs, attn: Kid Quotes, P.O. Box 2112, Berkeley, Calif. 94702. Harper's other card designs are pretty nifty, too. Call (510) 540-1260, fax (510) 486-8133.
PaperTroupe Limited of Melrose Park, Ill., announces its first "spring things" for the new millennium, which include some zesty double-foil and embossed cards for Valentine's Day and beyond. PaperTroupe also introduces a new line of scrapbooks, journals, photo albums, and e-dress books. Scrapbooks contain heavy paper pages, transparent vellum envelopes and colorful pockets, all great for captions, notes and sentimental stuff. Journals and sketchbooks contain a mix of white and colored sheets. E-dress books, devised with teens and young adults in mind, offer several sections of bright, color-coded, lined paper for organizing such crucial on-line info as chats, 411, fave sites, crushes and friends. A great gift idea for a hard-to-shop-for age group. Call (888) 338-9244, fax (888) 338-3808.
Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, Mo., hurls itself into even more sideline categories. Getting small, Andrews McMeel presents two new lines of miniature printed matter (less than three inches square): Stand-Up Books focus on inspirational subjects and are spiral bound to remain upright atop desk, bookshelf or bureau; Little Books offer a growing number of titles that alternate between wisdom and humor. Last fall Andrews McMeel introduced a licensed stationery collection featuring the work of British artist Sarah Lugg; for 2000, that line adds stationery portfolios and boxed notes to its journals, bookmarks and day books. Artist Guy Buffet joins the Andrews McMeel lineup with a licensed collection of greeting cards and boxed notes, magnets, journals and Christmas cards. Lugg's imagery features small keepsakes from nature mounted on manila tags, creating a craftsy, introspective feel, while Buffet shows a fondness for waiters, chefs and revelers. Call (816) 932-6700, fax (816) 931-5018.
Continuing its expansion beyond the greeting-card and calendar realm, Peaceable Kingdom Press in Berkeley, Calif., issues A Goodnight Moon Treasury that includes a baby journal, photo album and picture frame, all of which feature images from the quintessential early childhood read, Goodnight Moon. As with everything Peaceable Kingdom d s, these new offerings reflect delightful design and high-quality production standards. Definitely tops at the baby shower. Call (800) 444-7778, fax (510) 644-9805.
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York City, announces the growth of its gift line, established in 1996, and for the first time gives it a fine-looking catalogue to call its own. In addition to journals, address books, albums, postcard books and calendars by such artists as George Rodrigue (Blue Dog), James Prosek, Helen Buttfield and Sandra Magsamen, STC presents boxed note cards by these and other artists. The art is engaging and reproductions are well done. The ST&C gift line also encompasses games, among them Chinese fortune sticks, tangram, I Ching, Zen Koan card pack, Feng Shui game pack, Casting the Runes (with card pack) The Tarot and What's the Story. Call (212) 519-1200, fax (212) 519-1230.
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