Reporting: Harper Collins Fall 2007 Library Preview (Part Three)
( CONTINUED FROM PART TWO)
DING!
Table #4 was for Elise Howard, Tara Weikum, and Farrin Jacobs. It was the first table to talk about its books in the order that they were printed on the Powerpoint handout. Extra points to them then. This table indulged less in sequels and more in books that continue an already popular series. Some of you might recall from the last Harper Collins preview I attended that there was a book present that told a Little House story from Nellie Oleson’s point of view. Now they’re continuing that idea with another backstory book. This one, Mary Ingalls On Her Own, follows Mary and goes with her to the school for the blind. This happens in the original books, but Laura never elaborates on what Mary goes through. The author, Elizabeth Kimmel Willard, is at this point in time best known for the Lily B series.
Another surprise at the table was Seekers #1: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter. Yes, THAT Erin Hunter. The one who writes The Warriors series (whose Manga was also talked up). Well now she has a new series made in the same format concerning… bears. A polar bear beams out at you from the cover, leading me to wonder whether or not Harper Collins is anticipating a rush of bear-related fiction thanks to the upcoming His Dark Materials movie. It wouldn’t be the silliest move, I admit. You’ll see later in this post that this was not the only white bear centric cover to pop up during the preview either.
Switching gears, in the YA scheme of things the idea of two authors writing a single story together is passe. So old. But having THREE YA others write a single story together? Inspired. E. Lockhart, Sarah Miynowski, and Lauren Myracle are putting out How to Be Bad. Fans of covers involving photographs of decapitated females (i.e. their heads are cut out of the shot) will enjoy this one immensely. Back to middle grade, Avi has a title out at the beginning of ’08 that some of you may have already picked up at the last ALA. The Seer of Shadows sounds rather interesting particularly since the cover works very well within the context of the story. Once the new year starts I’ll make this one of my first reads.Finally, Bryan Collier fans will be pleased to hear that he has illustrated the song Lift Every Voice and Sing. The kicker? The book is out NOW, puffins. Now now now. Obviously the publication date got pushed back at the last minute which will either help or hurt Bryan’s chances at any 2007 awards. His advantage here is that the title was inspired by the tragedy of New Orleans, and there’s a very interesting watery theme throughout the book. On the other hand, if it’s hoping for a Caldecott then it’s going to have to compete with fellow music-inflected title, Let It Shine by Ashley Bryan. I suspect that they might pair very well together in a storytime, actually.
DING!
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Table #5 and feeling alive. Ha cha cha cha!
The Brenda Bowen, Phoebe Yeh, and Toni Markiet table. The big news? Brenda Bowen has just gotten her very own bright n’ shiny imprint! Bowen Press, no less, and it now employs one of my favorite (former) Greenwillow ladies Molly O’Neill. Woop! Other news? Author/illustrator Greg Foley. You knew he created adorable characters, as in the picture book Thank You, Bear, but have you ever seen a picture of him? Hellooooo, next HMOCL…
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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I want-want-want that Mary Ingalls book!
Actually, Sarah, I’d like to hear your take on it. We were told that the author did a fair amount of research, but it’s always a good idea to get the opinion of an expert in the field, like yourself. If they’re clever they’ll pass it on to you.
Well, here’s hoping! I sent a message to my sales rep a week or so ago, but no news yet. I don’t have any other Harper connections, so I’m down to crossing my fingers and/or sacrificing a paperback at the altar of Little House….