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By Cynda Strong Do you have a longing to “get outta town” and enjoy some rural scenery and cornfields? A drive south on Illinois Route 4 from Springfield will afford the country atmosphere you yearn for, as well as an opportunity to see the much-publicized Sugar Creek Covered Bridge. And it will pass through towns that offer Continue reading The Sly Fox Is One Smart Bookstore By Bob and Paula Morrow The original storefront on the corner of First and Hennepin. After twelve years in the heart of downtown Dixon, Illinois, Books on First has become a landmark and a “let’s stop there” destination for locals as well as travelers from the Chicago suburbs. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Larry Dunphy and Continue reading Books on First: A First-Rate Bookstore By Susan Takacs On Friday mornings in Lincoln Square, it is common to see a parade of empty strollers lined up outside The Book Cellar bookstore. The usual occupants of the strollers—often more than thirty children—are inside on brightly colored pillows with a parent or babysitter, enjoying story time. The Storybook Mom, Nili Yelin, gestures dramatically, hopping Continue reading Story Time, Tradition, and Technology By Eileen Fesco I asked my 17-year-old bookseller and avid reader, Maria Granados, what goes into her decision to read a book. “I pick up a book that has an interesting cover, not a plain cover with just words on it. I’ll read the title and then the back cover, and if I like what it looks like and what it says, I’ll read it.” When asked for an example, Maria selected Sarah Dessen’s book Along for the Ride. “It has a cover that is attractive, and you want to know what it is all about.” I asked for more examples of what books she liked, and Crank and Glass, both by Ellen Hopkins, were pointed out. The covers on these were pretty plain, so what prompted her to read them? It turned out that these books were recommended by friends. Continue reading Owner of the Book Mouse on What Sells By Debbie Mitchell The idea for the YA Café emerged from a heinous task: writing futile author proposals to publishers. What’s an author proposal, you ask? Well, some publishers send out a seasonal schedule of authors who will be on tour and require bookstores to submit proposals for those authors, including a publicity plan and an estimated book order. The reason this can be so frustrating for people like me, is that no matter how passionate we are about an author, or how innovative our ideas might be, the book order number will always be the key. As a small, independent store, Magic Tree has a hard time competing with bigger stores that can order more books and spend more money on events and advertising. Continue reading Magic Tree Debuts the YA Café By Kate Hannigan On the threshold of a new year and a completely new economy, we asked bookseller Amy Moran of Libertyville’s beloved children’s bookstore Crocodile Pie to gaze into her crystal ball. While none of us can know what’s ahead in the world of children’s literature for 2009, the insights Amy shares reflect the realities booksellers across the country are facing. Continue reading Crocodile Pie’s Amy Moran By Kate Hannigan This summer, The Prairie Wind talked with children’s book buyer and event coordinator Liz Moore at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court. The store’s roots go back to 1940, when it opened doors in Winnetka as Chestnut Court. In 1986, the name changed to The Book Stall at Chestnut Court. Liz has been there since 2005. Continue reading The Book Stall’s Liz Moore By Kate Hannigan Isabel Baker is the owner of The Book Vine for Children in McHenry, Illinois. Isabel has master’s degrees in education and library science, experience as a librarian, consults with preschool teachers and does presentations on early literacy at education conferences all over the country. She is a member of NAEYC, National Head Start, American Booksellers Association and Zero to Three. Isabel supports Voices for Illinois Children; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; and Southern Poverty Law Center. As an avid reader of children’s literature, Isabel has contributed book reviews to Early Years: The Journal of the Texas AEYC and consults on recommended book lists for various organizations. She also writes children’s book reviews for “The Reading Chair,” a regular column in Young Children, a NAEYC publication. Isabel graciously talked to The Prairie Wind in February. Continue reading The Book Vine’s Isabel Baker By Kate Hannigan By Yi Shun Lai 
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