Many industries now stress the importance of racial diversity, but the numbers do not show much progress. In the book industry specifically, Black workers are underrepresented as store owners, may be assigned to positions in the back rather than front of the store, and may observe that titles by Black authors receive less recognition, promotion, and visibility from booksellers. In this session, Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield presents data from her forthcoming book Gray Areas to explain how and why these processes persist. Blending interview, survey, and statistical data, Wingfield shows how the everyday, taken-for-granted aspects of work can preclude booksellers from increasing racial diversity, and delivers evidence-based suggestions for how to change this outcome.

Speakers Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield, Gray Areas (HarperCollins)

Recorded June 6, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Additional bookseller education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.

Theme by Constant Companion: https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Small bookstores (less than 1000 square feet of selling space) have a lot to share with larger bookstores about financial sustainability. This bookseller-led panel will present innovative ideas for how to manage budgeting, buying, displaying, selling, and returns to keep your store financially stable, no matter the size.

Speakers Kathy Burnette, Brain Lair Books - South Bend, IN Bunnie Hilliard, brave + kind bookshop - Decatur, GA Heather Hebert, Children's Book World - Haverford, PA PK Sindwani, American Booksellers Association - White Plains, NY

Recorded June 6, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

These days, adults are devouring young adult literature, and more and more YA stories feature teens but in more adult situations. In this panel, booksellers come together to discuss the shift in YA, which genres and tropes actually interest young people, how to make connections with young people in the community in order to better curate your selection, and more strategies for de-centering the adult in "young adult."

Speakers Nicole Brinkley, Oblong Books - Rhinebeck, NY Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop - Houston, TX Stephanie Appell, Freelance Book Reviewer - Grosse Pointe, MI Eric Smith, PS Literary - Philadelphia, PA

Recorded June 7, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Daniel Nayeri is a former publisher, editor, and pastry chef. His autobiographical novel, Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) won multiple awards including the Printz Medal.

Speakers: Daniel Nayeri, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Levine Querido) Introduction by Allison Hill, ABA CEO

Recorded June 6, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation of human brain functioning, including conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. Understanding and embracing neurodiversity can have a positive impact on workplace culture, productivity, and inclusivity. In this session, we will discuss practical strategies for accommodating diverse learning, and working styles, as well as the importance of communication and collaboration. We will also address common misconceptions and stereotypes about neurodivergent individuals and provide guidance on how to avoid discrimination and promote respect. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of neurodiversity and practical strategies for creating a more inclusive workplace. Bookstore owners and managers are encouraged to attend and learn how to support and empower neurodivergent employees.

Speakers Emily Raclaw, Marquette University - Milwaukee, WI

Recorded June 6, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Nikki Grimes and Brian Pinkney (A Walk in the Woods) know that not every child can take a walk in the woods to soothe the soul after experiencing a devastating loss, but all children can pick up a book that speaks directly to such hurt, or read a story that reminds them they are not alone—provided someone has crafted such a story especially for them. These award-winning creators share how they tackle tough topics for the youngest readers, and why it's so important to do so.

Nikki Grimes is the recipient of numerous literary lifetime achievement and excellence awards, as well as a Coretta Scott King Book Award and five Coretta Scott King Award Honors. Her memoir, Ordinary Hazards, received both a Sibert and a Printz Honor. Ms. Grimes lives in Corona, California.

Brian Pinkney continued illustrating A Walk in the Woods after his father, Jerry Pinkney, passed away, supplementing Jerry's sketches with watercolor painting. He has illustrated many books for children, and is the recipient of two Caldecott Honors and the Coretta Scott King Book Award for In the Time of the Drums. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.

Recorded June 7, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Prolific and debut authors are landing on banned books lists across school districts and in statewide book bans. Bookstores may soon become the only place where children have freedom of choice when it comes to reading. A panel of children's librarians and booksellers will discuss the current state of banned books, how this affects the book industry, and what bookstores can do to support children's freedom to read, particularly in places where that access is being limited.

Speakers Laura DeLaney, Rediscovered Books - Boise, ID Lance McGrath, The College of Idaho - Caldwell, ID Hannah Reimer, University School of Milwaukee - River Hills, WI Jake Bowen, Oak Creek Public Library - Oak Creek, WI

Recorded June 7, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Purchasing manga for the bookstore can quickly take over a buyer's brain space, not to mention figuring out where to shelve it and how to display it. This bookseller-led panel will give attendees foundational plans for researching what's hot as well as best practices for marketing, shelving, and selling manga to the 12-and-up crowd.

Speakers Cori Theroux, The Green Dragon Bookstore - Fort Dodge, IA Danielle Pernell, King's Books - Tacoma, WA

Recorded June 7, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

Booksellers know it's important to create a space where readers can find stories with characters that represent their experiences, but how does one do that if some authors aren't receiving the same buzz as other authors with high sales records? How can bookstores market and support debuting LGBTQIA2S+, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, and Pacific Islander authors so that everyone can read their stories? In this session, a panel of booksellers will discuss these questions and share how curating a diverse selection of books impacts their community and businesses.

Speakers: Revati Kilaparti, Old Firehouse Books - Fort Collins, CO Rebecca Crosswhite, Rediscovered Books - Boise, ID Sydne Conant, A Room of One's Own Bookstore - Madison, WI Cortney Yee, Changing Hands Bookstore - Tempe, AZ

(Recorded June 6, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee)

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com

A book club for young people engages them with reading and can make them feel like a part of your store's community. It's also a great way to do some covert market research! In this session, booksellers will share details of their middle-grade book clubs, illustrate how they create a positive community for middle-grade readers (including those who are English language learners or who have exceptionalities), and help you more effectively capture and grow this reading demographic.

Speakers Tanvi Rastogi, Dog-Eared Books - Ames, IA Hannah Oxley, Mystery to Me - Madison, WI Meghan Goel, BookPeople - Austin, TX sweet pea Flaherty, King's Books - Tacoma, WA

Recorded June 7, 2023, at Children's Institute 2023 in Milwaukee

Theme by Constant Companion https://constantcompanion.bandcamp.com