Readers Respond

Last week, we published a story about a conservative backlash against the MIT Press book Communism for Kids, which tries to teach kids about the political philosophy through an illustrated fable. Our readers had varied responses, from agreement with the backlash to fear of censorship to suggestions for related “grown-up” books that might be adapted. Here is what a couple of them had to say.

“As a liberal, I’ll go on the record to say that I’m bothered by the publication of any book that promotes the ideology behind communism without a discussion of how it has repeatedly failed in its implementation. Kids should know that what may seem nice on paper doesn’t always translate in reality.” —Philip Wilentz

“I would also like young people to learn, alongside discussions of communism in theory and practice, that capitalism is not without a body count as well. Perhaps Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle could be adapted as a children’s book for this purpose.” —Erin O’Riordan

From the Newsletters

Tip Sheet

Peter Brooks, author of Flaubert in the Ruins of Paris, ranks the works of Gustave Flaubert.

Children’s Bookshelf

Talking with actress, neuro-scientist, and children’s author Mayim Bialik about her forthcoming Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart, and Spectacular.

BookLife Report

Among the big topics at the recent IBPA conference in Portland, Ore., was how hybrid and self-publishers can level the playing field with traditional publishers.

PW Daily

Despite Fox News’ dumping of Bill O’Reilly in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal, Holt, O’Reilly’s publisher, is sticking with him.

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Podcasts

Week Ahead

What does the next wave of digital innovation hold for the publishing business? PW senior writer Andrew Albanese talks about the insights delivered at last week’s PubTech Connect conference, organized by PW and NYU.

More to Come

The More to Come crew previews the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo, recaps recent graphic novel awards, and talks with cartoonist Robert Sikoryak about an expanded edition of Terms and Conditions, the oddball graphic novel adaptation of Apple’s iTunes legal fine print.

KidsCast

Maurene Goo talks about her second YA novel, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, in which a 17-year-old tries to use the tropes of Korean “K-drama” shows to make a love connection with a classmate, with hilariously disastrous results.

PW Radio

Christopher Golden discusses his novel, Ararat, and PW editorial director Jim Milliot talks about Independent Bookstore Day.

Blogs

ShelfTalker

That time Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander visited Burlington, Vt., and read to 600 people.