Normal Service Resumes: Updates at The Purple Crayon

Winter brings snow, and it also brings the big awards announcements. I was as excited as anyone that a graphic novel, Jerry Craft's The New Kid, was the recipient of the Newbery Medal. And so I've started to update the children's book awards section of my site, starting with the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott Medal pages.

I want to thank all of you who helped spread the word about the new online version of Highlights' "Crash Course"--which I posted about in detail in my previous email. 40 people registered and we have had to close the doors! Also, registration is now open for all of the conferences where I will be speaking this spring--in Los Angeles, Ottawa, and Springfield MA. Links to these conferences are on my Conferences page.

I've also posted several items on the Who's Moving Where page, with the most notable item being the purchase of more than 1,000 Disney titles by Hachette. Disney did not close or transfer any imprints, but don't be surprised if layoffs result. Little, Brown, which has taken over all of these titles, has announced they will be hiring, but no names yet. So I expect more news...

Thanks for your support!

Harold Underdown