Joel Grayson (@BOWJoel), beloved bookseller at NYC's renowned Books of Wonder (@BooksofWonder), stops by to talk about who determines if it's a "boy book" or a "girl book", the two kinds of people who work in children's bookstores, and doing whatever it takes to get you to the story.
And now some words from Joel…
Greetings and Salutations, #WinnerNation ! Yeah, that might not be a thing...YET!
I just wanted to take an opportunity to once again thank Matthew for the opportunity he gave me tonight to speak with him...to speak with all of you!
I would say that I know how busy you are which makes it so much more meaningful to me, but quite frankly, I cannot fathom how busy you all are! From Matthew to all you teachers and librarians; writers and illustrators; editors and publicists; and most importantly, readers and contributors of all capacities.
In fact it was such a "mitzvah" for me to be on LGB that the treasure chest of bullet points that me (and I believe Matthew) wanted to hit on, we couldn't even get to. Partly because I was just overly super-excited (and for sure stumbled over some words and names...i.e. the AMAZING Alex Morgan and her 2012 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal) and secondly, because Matthew makes you feel so comfortable on any given subject that you realize a whole era of time has passed when you are still midway through discussing it!
I just wanted to add, my fortunes are boundless. To be able to do what I do, to be able to work with the people I work and to be able to be in this community that is the epitome of the sum of its parts. With that said, it should be known, all the thoughts mentioned on the fantastic Let's Get Busy podcast were that of my own and not necessarily Books of Wonder. It is an entity that only one man can speak for, and I am hardly he who has put 35 years of hard work into his labor of love. In my 6 years there, however, I have been so lucky to be in the acquaintance of, formed amazing friendships with and have been under the tutelage of incomparable people who I'd like to thank. Stephanie (who is as well deserving of being a 2015 Kirkus judge for the Young Readers Literature panel), Emma, who continues to think of me and give me in her new library journeys (such a lucky library it is), Sam (who has competing qualities of punny-ness and awesomeness), Adam (he's been spoken on, but anyone taller than me, please shout those compliments so he can hear them- he knows how unwaveringly proud of him I am); to Patty, Allan, Scott, Allison and Elena, who quite frankly, have probably let me get away with certain things, even though I'm a little, how would you put it Matthew, "rough around the edges"? :) And there is absolutely no exceeding the following quartet of people, who, in a way, have brought me to you, Mr. Winner. Your claims are of my storytime talents, when in truth, I simply was following the lead of these incomparable people. Jay, Valerie, Tina and Shay. We spoke of the kind of writers and artists who shine through their works...well these sweet-hearted selfless souls do that every time they are given the chance to have a child and a book in their company. I don't remember going down to the crossroads, but whatever it is that brought me to the position of being allowed to tag along with their storytiime excellence and kindness, I am eternally thankful.
And now, for your 2015 Let's Get Busy Matthew Winner Invitational Kid Lit Kickball All-Star Spectacular Lineups!
(notes: two names with slash signifies a platoon)
Team Middle Grade Team Picture Book
Manager: Richard Peck Manager: "Uncle Shelly" Silverstein
1. Mark Twain 1B 1. Samantha Berger SS
2. Tom Angleberger/CeCe Bell LF 2. Mike Curato 2B
3. "Auntie" Kate DiCamillo DH 3. Ben Hatke CF
4. J.K. Rowling/Rick Riordan C 4. Maurice Sendak DH
5. E.L. Konigsburg CF 5. Judith Viorst/Chris Raschka RF
6. Geoff Rodkey 3B 6. Steve Light 1B
7. Michael Buckley/Michael Northrop RF 7. Jennifer Gray Olson C
8. Claire Legrand 2B 8. Drew Daywalt LF
9. Tim Federle SS 9. Jon Klassen/ Mac Barnett 3B
10. Adam Silvera 2LF 10. Ame Dyckman/ Adam Lehrhaupt 2LF
Pitchers
1. Maggie Stiefvater 1. Oliver Jeffers
2. Alex London 2. Dr. Seuss
3. Mary Rose Wood 3. Jerry Pinkney
4. Chris Grabenstein 4. LeUyen Pham
Closer
Jon Scieszka Amy Krouse Rosenthal
And of course, the MVP of any game ever played, all you amazing kid lit advocates: Librarians, Bloggers, Teachers, and simply, readers.
Keep making this the most amazing community even our imaginations can think up! I thank you all for allowing me the company.
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