I got an inquiry from a non-Jewish kidlit blogger, asking me if I'd ever heard of Children's Jewish Book Month - which I hadn't. She'd received the press release below from Artscroll. It looks like they are initiating a Children's Jewish Book Month as a way to pump up sales in May. Does anyone know anything about this? Is this a wider effort to create a new literary holiday, or is it a single-publisher sales event? The press release that my friend received is below. Thanks, Heidi
---------- Forwarded message ---------- News From ArtScroll Publications *Leading Publisher Introduces* "*Children's Jewish Book Month"* NEW YORK, May 7, 2009 - In a move timed to coincide with National Children's Book Week, ArtScroll -- the world's leading publisher of Judaic literature -- has announced the introduction of Children's Jewish Book Month*.* According to ArtScroll vice president Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz, the Jewish-themed literary event will, like its broader counterpart, take place every May and will feature related programs designed to get kids excited about books and reading. "Children's Book Week was conceived 90 years ago as a way to introduce children to the pleasure and value of reading," observes Rabbi Zlotowitz. "Jewish Children's Book Month shares that goal but has the additional objective of introducing Jewish children to the many wonderful books out there that speak to their own culture and traditions." As is true of children's literature in general, Rabbi Zlotowitz points out, the quality of Jewish-themed children's books has come a long way in recent years. The selections have grown to encompass a wide array of picture books, individual chapter books and books in a series - many by award-winning authors and illustrators. Jewish children's books generally feature Jewish characters who, through thrilling adventures or humorous escapades, manage to learn and teach important lessons. "Experts agree that when it comes to getting a child hooked on reading-books themselves are the very best motivators, "Rabbi Zlotowitz points out. With summer vacation just weeks away, he notes, it is especially important to stock up on quality reading material for kids. "Studies have clearly shown that children who read during the summer months do much better in the following school year. But there's a lot of competition for our children's leisure hours in the summer. Keeping a collection of wholesome, entertaining and age-appropriate books around the house helps ensure that a child will set aside time for reading every day. " Providing children with their very own stock of books create yet another incentive for reading. "There's nothing like having that favorite book up on a shelf, being able to return to some faraway place or exciting adventure whenever the mood strikes," the ArtScroll representative says. "And when parents purchase books for their children, it sends a message that they consider reading an essential and worthwhile activity. "Supplementing their children's collections with Jewish-themed books sends a message about the importance of Jewish values and ideas, as well. " In honor of the inaugural Children's Jewish Book Month, Artscroll is offering a 30% discount on all its children's books. The imprint's entire collection for children ages three through twelve can be viewed at www.Artscroll.com<http://www.artscroll.com/> . *Contact:* Chanie Friedman ,516-239-3816 or 917-331-3342 --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
