Great News on the Diversity Front – Plus Twibbons
I've been champing at the bit to revisit the topic of including the nation's many children of diverse races, creeds, and colors in the literature we provide for them. For any folks who shut down at the mention of the words "multicultural" and "diversity," I add the pragmatic argument that broadening the scope of what we offer readers not only affects minds and hearts and intellects, but will eventually prove to be vital for publishers, financially speaking, as the population of the U.S. -- i.e., future readers -- continues to diversify. So, on to the good news!

Bring a Friend to the Bookstore
We asked our staff to brainstorm ways to bring new customers to the bookstore this winter. While I was busy thinking of ways to reach out to the masses in our county who have never set foot in our store, Kelly came up with a fairly ingenious idea. Bring a Friend to the Bookstore is so simple, it's shocking.

As Promised: Awards by Publisher
It appeals to me as a bookseller to break down the awards by publisher, not only to take a look at what works and imprints have been recognized for their achievements, but -- practically speaking -- as an easy way to make some direct publisher re-orders. Here's hoping it helps some other booksellers, librarians, and teachers, too.