By Stephanie Bearce

As kidlit authors it can be a challenge to get our books into the hands of our intended readers. Most four-year-olds aren't browsing Amazon for the newest picture book and ten-year-olds aren't really supposed to drive themselves to the bookstore. We need brilliant parents, librarians, and teachers to love our stories and get them into the hands of our readers. 

There are many avenues for making these connections. book reviews, blog tours, speaking engagements, school and library visits, podcasts, and newsletters, to name just a few. Too many for just one blog post! (Hint, hint, we'll be giving away more promotional tips in the next few weeks.) Today we are going to concentrate on reviews.

Getting your book into the hands of reviewers is critical. Most publishers will make sure your book is sent to Horn Book, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. But it's always a good idea to check with your editor and the publicity team. Nobody wants their book to be the one to "slip through the crack." YOU are the best champion of your work. So make sure you know it is getting out into the world.

There are a number of great blogs that review children's books and it is worth your time and effort to get a galley to them for review. In the waaay back olden days, you would have needed a copy of your book, but now with the miracle of the internet - you can send electronic galleys!! (with the blessing of your publisher, of course.)
Check out these blogs - and if you know of others - leave a comment! We'll add them to the list!!
The Children's Book Review
Imagination Soup
Happily Ever Elephants
Literacious
Nerdy Book Club
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Mr. Schu Reads
Here Wee Read
From the Mixed Up Files
Storywraps
Randomly Reading
Only Picture Books
Book Riot
Lisa's Reading
The Crimson Review
Shelf Awareness

By Peggy Thomas

I am frequently the last in our group to hear publishing news like who won an award or when an editor moved to another publishing house. So, I asked my fellow Ninjas where they get their information. Which resources, publishing and otherwise, do they rely on? Here is what they had to say:

Children’s Nonfiction

• NF FEST – Celebrated in February, this blog is all about writers helping writers. It features an entire month of posts written by the best writers in the field. This year we have Doreen Rappaport, Melissa Stewart, Anita Sanchez, Paula Yoo and many more. Each blog touches on a different aspect of writing nonfiction and includes a helpful exercise. Check it out! Then join the NF Fest Facebook Group.

 

• Melissa Stewart’s blog Info-licious Inspiration celebrates all things nonfiction with author interviews, book reviews and resources for educators.

 
Children’s Publishing

• Everyone agrees that Publisher’s Weekly “Children’s Bookshelf” newsletter is top of the list for getting current news in children’s book publishing. They have excellent articles, and you can also access their archives. 
• Horn Book has a newsletter called Notes from Horn Book. It’s a peek at that month’s book reviews and author interviews. I especially like reading the speeches from the Caldecott and Newbery-winning authors.
• SCBWI of course is a great source for conference info, craft webinars, etc. Also, keep tabs on your regional group.
• The Writers’ Rumpus is a website filled with interviews, book reviews, writing tips, and publishing news.
• KidLit411 is another great resource similar to The Writer’s Rumpus.
• The Highlights Foundation has a blog written by various faculty members. They also have a Youtube channel with clips from workshops and webinars.

 
General Publishing News

• Shelf Awareness - written with booksellers and librarians in mind
• Publisher’s Lunch - a free newsletter from Publisher’s Marketplace if you want to know who sold what
• Print Run Podcast - hosted by two agents, it discusses the role of printed books in the digital age  

 
Inspiration for Ideas

• Seeker – Science & Exploration/ Always Curious
• Atlas Obscura – a world of unexpected stories
• Mental Floss – smart, quirky content delivered with wit and optimism
• Today I Found Out – fast facts, podcast, videos, and articles
• Science News – the latest news from all areas of science
• News from Science – current research from AAAS

 
Research

• Google Scholar – to access academic research papers
• Worldcat – for locating books and articles in public and academic libraries
• The Internet Archive - for access to transcribed or digitized material
• The Wayback Machine - for access to websites that have otherwise disappeared or changed.

 
This is just a partial list. Please add your favorites in the comments below and we will create a resource list on our website that you can bookmark. 
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