Book Publishers Northwest

Parenting Press keeps books in print for years

Parenting Press found many of its 2011 bestsellers on its backlist. Established in 1979 to publish problem-solving books for adults and children,this Seattle publisher  is a family-owned company with almost 100 titles in print.

“The Way I Feel,” Janan Cain’s first book,was published in 2000. Since then, the 32-page hardback became an abridged board book edition for toddlers and a Spanish edition, “Así me siento yo.” In 2011, Cain and writer Steve Metzger created a similar book about traits, “The Way I Act.”

While the continuing popularity of “The Way I Feel” for a decade might be a record for some publishers, the next most popular book on the 2011 Parenting Press bestseller list, “It’s MY Body,”  has been around since 1982. The book tells kids about avoiding unwanted hugs, kisses and touching. It continues to sell hundreds of copies each month—despite the fact that almost no storefront bookstores stock it.

The third on Parenting Press’s bestseller list for 2011 was “The Self-Calming Cards,”  a deck of oversized cards that describe and show how kids (and adults) can calm themselves when they’re anxious, angry or over-excited. Created in 2004, the cards were written by Elizabeth Crary, Parenting Press founder, and illustrated by Mits Katayama, a Northwest artist who was then in his late 70s.

Parenting Press also enjoyed high sales of another 2004 title, “25 Things to Do When Grandpa Dies, Mom and Dad Get Divorced, and the Dog Dies,” written by Yakima parent educator Laurie A. Kanyer. Used extensively by organizations that support military families, this title helps adults who work with kids who are grieving or experiencing loss.

Among other titles on Parenting Press 2011 bestseller list:

“Something Is Wrong at My House: A Book about Parents’ Fighting,” written by Diane Davis in 1984 and recently updated and revised;

“Living with the Active Alert Child,” first issued by Parenting Press in 1993 and revised in 2003;

“What Angry Kids Need: Parenting Your Angry Child Without Going Mad,” the 2008 book by Jennifer Brown of Bellingham WA and Pam Hopkins of Snohomish WA.

Parenting Press books are available at parentingpress.com and through most bookstores.

74th Street’s book is adapted for concert

The poetry of Marvin Bell, set to music by David Gompper, will be performed as a song recital at the Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber, University of Iowa, on February 19.

Lani Jacobsen, of 74th Street Productions, Seattle, confirmed that The Marvin Bell Celebration will feature original poems from its book Poetry for a Midsummer Night’s Dream, an illustrated collection of love poems published to celebrate Shakespeare’s beloved play.

Mr. Bell, a Guggenheim and NEA fellow, Senior Fulbright Appointee to Yugoslavia and Australia, has recently retired from the faculty of the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and served as Iowa’s first Poet Laureate.

Five poems from the book are included in the concert, Being in Love, Five Ohs, How the Lovers Found True Love After All, Like Words, Like Music and To Dorothy.

Poetry for a Midsummer’s Night, a book designed to be read aloud under the moon on a Midsummer Night with a very special person, is available through PartnersWest, Baker & Taylor, Amazon or www.74thstreet.com

Timid Pirate’s Carnival at The End of the World

Seattle’s Timid Pirate Publishing celebrates the release of two titles at the new Wayward Coffeehouse, 65th and Roosevelt in Seattle, on December 17, 7 pm to 10 pm. The publisher along with editors, artists, and authors featured in  Cobalt City Dark Carnival and Finding Home: Community in Apocalyptic Worlds will be there.

Come by to hear readings, pick up your copy of the anthologies and get them signed, enjoy a gingerbread mocha, and be the first to hear about Timid Pirate’s exciting publication announcements for 2012! Plus, it’s a great chance to show your support for small publishing while getting the last of your holiday shopping finished!

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