To Think That I Saw It In Congress
Despite a 28-year career in children’s publishing, I have NEVER HEARD OF THIS BOOK until this week. Just saying.
All I can say is, a lot of my books are out of print, and nobody has ever complained about it in the halls of Congress.
Okay, that’s not actually all I have to say.
Nobody has cancelled Dr. Seuss. Nobody has censored his books. No arm of government or political party is involved in any way.
The publisher (presumably in concert with his estate) has chosen not to issue new editions of six books. They say it is because the images contain hurtful stereotypes. (This is true. I’ve enjoyed If I Ran the Zoo, but those so-called Africans with their grass skirts and ape-like faces–really, Ted?)
This is normal. It’s business as usual. Publishers put books out of print all the time, because the books failed to connect with an audience, because they’ve become dated and readers don’t get them anymore, because (shh!) they were never that good in the first place. And–here’s the big reason, actually the only reason–because they aren’t selling that well. Because the books aren’t profitable.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises (an arm of Penguin Random House) failed to mention this, but believe me–if those books were selling like hotcakes, they’d still be in print. They’re not. Possibly because people are not lining up to buy books with hurtful stereotypes in them. Possibly because there are better books out there, some of them written by Dr. Seuss himself.
It’s the free market in action, folks. There’s no or little demand. So there’s no new supply.
Look, Ted Geisel was an immensely talented author and illustrator. He wasn’t a saint. He wasn’t perfection incarnate. And he doesn’t have some sort of constitutional right to have his books in print forever. (If so, I wish I could figure out how to get that right for myself. Alas, I don’t think it exists.)
If you are passionately devoted to On Beyond Zebra or McElligot’s Pool, you can still read them. Knock yourself out. Libraries and used bookstores still have copies. They haven’t vanished from the world of literature. It’s simply that there are not going to be new editions rolling off the press.
It’s not shocking. It’s not a problem. It’s a publisher responding to what people in 2021 want to read.
(P.S. Please feel free to also read picture books by Kevin Henkes, Barbara Cooney, Kwame Alexander, Mo Willems, Sophie Blackall and … I don’t know, maybe me? Dr. Seuss is not the only talented and brilliant author out there. There are so very many excellent children’s books being written and illustrated and published. The kids will be fine.)
Read More
How (and Why) Wombats Poop In Cubes
Wombat himself, illustrated by Charles Santoso–just a snippet of the lovely, lovely art for this book
And…now we know. Check out CNN for more. The wombat’s intestine has two stiff sides and two flexible sides, and as muscular contractions force the, er, stuff through, it is shaped into a cube. Like a lot of other animals (anybody who walks a dog knows what I mean), wombats use poop to communicate, and leave little piles of their cube-shaped droppings in common spots to let other wombats know who’s around and what’s up.
No other animals poops in cubes–only wombats. Let’s hear it for the hero of Wombat Underground! There is no poop of any shape in this new picture book, which will be out next year, but (sigh) you just can’t fit everything fascinating and wonderful about wombats into 32 pages. There will be plenty of adventure and action and escaping of raging wildfires.
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Reading
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller–the Newbery Committee got it right this year for sure! This book made me believe in magic, took that belief away, broke my heart, mended it, and gave magic back to me–all in the space of seven and a half hours of audio narration. (The narrator wasn’t a fast talker, either!) Truly astonishing.
ALA Awards
Today is the day! It’s the Grammys…it’s the Oscars…it’s the children’s lit awards from the American Library Association.
The Newbery goes to How To Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller (and the remarkable Christina Soontornvat cleaned up with two Newbery Honors!)
The Caldecott goes to We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade.
And the Coretta Scott King goes to Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson for text and RESPECT illustrated by Frank Morrison for art!
Many, many other books of note here (and a lot of them are Magnificent Homespun Brown). Read, admire, check out, buy, take home and love!
Read MoreAmanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman recites “The Hill We Climb” during the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Take note, young writers–she is 22 years old. Start practicing now–this could be you!
Read MoreOne More WOMBAT sketch
Although Wombat is not actually in this one–here are Wallaby (and Joey, but I’m not sure you can really see Joey in Mom’s pouch), Skink, and Echidna.
Thanks to the ever-fabulous Charles Santoso for not only bringing these characters into the visual world but allowing me to show you some of his process as the book takes shape.
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly