Obama's Example Should Inspire US Kids Pubs to Change
By Sharon Glassman

Today's hard times could inspire better book times for US kids' imprints, says Grazia Gotti, co-founder of the Giannino Stoppani cultural cooperative and children's bookshop in Bologna and one of the organizers of the Bologna Book Fair.

The secret? Arrivaderci isolation and "big marketing." Buon Giorno dialogue, "long-sellers" and European-style cooperation.

In a chat with Publishing Perspectives, Gotti, a self-confessed "optimist" whose passion for books infuses her speech and perspective on publishing, outlined the bright spots - actual and potential - she perceives amid the challenges of the children's book business today.

(read on ...)


Going to the Bologna Book Fair? What Trends do you Foresee?
By Edward Nawotka

In our lead story today, Grazia Gotti of the Bologna Book Fair urges US publishers to take President Barack Obama as an inspiration to change the way they approach the international marketplace. This year, in particular, she says there is an opportunity for US and other publishers who want to come to Bologna to mine the Fair for undiscovered gems, particularly as children's books are easier and less onerous to publish in translation.

(read on ...)