Russia’s War Of Words With Ukraine
With Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last week, international publishing is on high alert to see how the conflict will affect business. While the Bologna Children’s Book Fair intends to proceed as normal and not treat Russian publishers any different, Ukrainian publishers are saying that Russian book publishing has been trying to undermine their business for years by flooding their market with cheap paperbacks and Russian propaganda, which Ukraine has had to ban in recent years. Because many Ukrainians speak both Russian and Ukrainian, their publishing industries have been long entwined, but Ukraine has been hoping to make a name for themselves outside of Russia’s shadow. One thing international publishers can do to help? Sell foreign rights to Ukrainian publishers directly rather than offering Russian publishers rights with Ukrainian distribution.
KC-Area Library Leader Quits After Trustees Rejected Diversity, Condemned LGBT Program
Steven Potter has stepped down from his position at the Mid-Continent Public Library system in Independence, MO after months of clashing with the conservative board who, among many things, have squashed LGBTQ+ youth programming, rejected diversity audits, and have wrongly called diversity in hiring “Marxist.” They also have attacked banned book displays on social media, undermining the library and its director. Potter states that, “It has become clear to me that I may not be the right person to lead this institution going forward.” Potter’s departure has many library employees and patrons worried, and a group has already launched a petition to recall some of the trustee members.
Leonard Kessler, Children’s Author Whose Books Endured, Dies At 101
Leonard Kessler a celebrated children’s book writer and illustrator who was known for his messages that encouraged kids to express their creativity, has passed away at age 101. He created many books, often collaborating with his wife Ethel, but is perhaps best known for Mr. Pine’s Purple House, which originally released in 1965 but fell out of print in the subsequent decades. It was reissued when a fan tracked him down and asked if he’d ever consider re-releasing it, and became a bestseller again in the 2000’s when Jeff Bezos took a special interest in marketing it, as it was his favorite book as a child. Kessler credits his grandmother for inspiring his career, and in addition to enjoying a five+ decade career, he served in WWII, befriended Andy Warhol in college, and raised a family. He’s survived by his children.