Have you ever been in a room where over 550 people gave a standing ovation to children’s books?

I have, thanks to Usborne Books!

The Usborne Book convention last week in Tulsa was amazing. I can’t think of anything more exciting than being surrounding by people who love books and want to make a difference in children’s lives through literacy. Not only did I learn ways to expand my Usborne business (I’m a educational and literacy consultant), and have a hotel room all to myself all weekend, but I got to meet and get my picture taken with Randall W. White Chairman, President and CEO of Usborne Books (USA), and Peter Usborne, the founder of Usborne Publishing (UK).

Peter gave a wonderful talk and explained how the books are created and printed. Unlike most UK and US children’s publishers, almost all of their books are written and produced by an in-house staff of writers, artists, graphic designers, and photographers.

Usborne is so successful because they determine what parents, educators and children are looking for and create gorgeous, quality books to meet that demand at an affordable price.

This week – thanks to the redesigned Usborne website that will take you to your local consultant when you order books – I’ll be highlighting new titles as well as some old favorites.

Here are a few that are already a big hit with children and their parents:

• Dinosaur Stencil Book – This book contains 13 stencils to help you draw all kinds of dinosaurs. It is also a fun first introduction to these amazing prehistoric creatures. For ages 4 and up.
• The Dragon Painter – Chang paints the best animal pictures in all of China. But when it comes to dragons, he has a problem. Why is he afraid to paint in the dragons’ eyes? Find out, in this lively retelling of a traditional Chinese story. For ages 6 and up. (First reading level 4)
• Ann Frank – Part of the Usborne Famous Lives series – At the age of thirteen, Anne Frank went into hiding with her family to escape from the Nazis. For two years, she couldn’t go outside or run or shout or laugh too loudly. Instead, she poured her thoughts and feelings into her diary, which is now famous all over the world. This story of her life begins when she was still a carefree girl like any other. For ages 7 and up.

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