Little Shop is the book fair vendor for Winnona Park, and I work closely with Ilene to bring books that students of all grade and reading levels will want to read. We send picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and a considerable number of non fiction titles. Whether picture or chapter book, roughly 90% of the inventory is always paperback, unless there’s something big (and coveted) in hardcover like a new Wimpy Kid or Percy Jackson, or in the picture book arena, a new Skippy Jon Jones or Fancy Nancy. This makes the fair affordable for everyone, but especially those kids who may not have many books at home. The way we see it, those kids can either go home with one book that costs $18.99 or 3 or 4 books that cost $5.99 each.

If you read the Times piece, you’d think we didn’t send or sell picture books to Winnona Park. This is not because of anything Ilene said or didn’t say. We do send picture books but they are most often paperback classics like Blueberries for Sal, anything by Kevin Henkes, Bread and Jam for Frances. It is rare that, when a book fair ends at the WP, there are any of these books left. Students, parents, and teachers- they gobble these wonderful treasures up.

I am happy to report that in our fine little town, picture books are alive and well.