Ci2026: Decoding Children’s Book Awards
BookED
There are so many literary awards for children’s books, so how do you keep up? Especially as established awards are now expanding to include children’s books! This panel introduces booksellers to the wide landscape of children’s book awards, from national honors to regional and genre-specific prizes. Hear how stores are also adapting this format into making their own engaging award programs! Recorded June 28, 2026 at Children’s Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at . Theme song by
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Ci2026: Children's Bookselling 101: A Seminar
BookED
This session is for those new — and newer! — to children’s bookselling. Long-time children’s booksellers will demystify and clarify important information you wouldn’t know until someone told you! Developing sales rep relationships, opening accounts versus ordering from a wholesaler, and more will be discussed. You will leave feeling confident, with foundational knowledge that you will grow over the course of the Institute. Recorded June 27, 2026 at Children’s Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at . ...
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Ci2026: Bookstore Policies for Free Expression
BookED
With pressure on bookstores increasing over their curation of books and events, it is essential to have clear policies that reflect your store’s emphasis and values. Having a curation policy helps a store keep the team on the same page, explain curation decisions to customers, and work through disagreements within the staff and community. Led by ABFE’s Associate Director Philomena Polefrone, this session will offer a structure to help you start articulating your store’s processes and values. Attendees will leave with a draft they can continue developing when they return to their store....
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Ci2026: Books, Gifts, and Events for Analog Customers
BookED
Analog is back! As more adults look to limit their screen time, they’re rediscovering screen-free activities like reading, journaling, puzzling, and crafting. Curated “analog bags” — portable totes designed to encourage unplugging — are trending, and bookstores are perfectly positioned to become the go-to destination for filling them. This session will explore how to merchandise for the analog movement, handsell across categories, and create events that tap into the growing desire for offline connection and creativity. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children’s Institute 2026 in...
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Ci2026: Author(less) Events & Community Partnerships
BookED
You can still celebrate an author and have an incredible, fun event even if the author can't come to the store physically! This session will focus on authorless events, such as craft workshops, character meet-and-greets, scavenger hunts, zine-making workshops, cookbook dinners, and community partnerships. Learn to design crowd-pleasing, low-cost programming that doesn’t rely on author visits. This session is perfect for stores that want steady community engagement with staff-led events. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children’s Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional...
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Ci2026: Understanding Event ROI with Professional Booksellers School
BookED
Events can drive sales, build community, and strengthen your store’s brand, but how do you know if an event is successful? This session will introduce practical ways to use ROI and key metrics to track and measure event success. You’ll learn what data to gather before, during, and after events and how to interpret it to understand impact. We’ll also explore how to evaluate your store’s current event capacity, from staffing to sales potential, so you can make informed decisions about growth. You'll leave with a clearer framework for assessing performance and shaping an effective events...
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Ci2026: The Rise of Board and Activity Books
BookED
Children’s books are experiencing growth, largely driven by the popularity of board books and activity-based formats such as sticker and coloring books. These formats are especially appealing to young readers and families looking for engaging, hands-on experiences with books. This session will explore strategies for incorporating board books and activity books into your store’s inventory, merchandising, and programming. You’ll leave with ideas for capitalizing on this growing segment of children’s publishing and positioning your store to meet customer demand. Recorded June 28, 2026 at...
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Ci2026: Rebuilding School Relationships Without Librarians
BookED
Many children’s bookstores partner with school librarians for book fairs, author visits, and summer reading programs. But as school districts face budget cuts — including the elimination of librarian positions — bookstores are left wondering how to sustain these important partnerships. This session will explore how to rethink and rebuild school relationships in the absence of a dedicated librarian. We’ll discuss strategies for collaborating directly with administrators and teachers, navigating shifting responsibilities, and continuing to create meaningful events, even when school staff...
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Ci2026: Photography Tips for Booksellers
BookED
Great marketing starts with great photos, and you don’t need fancy equipment to get them. This hands-on workshop will teach you how to take better photos using just your smartphone. You’ll learn how to shoot compelling book flat lays, staff portraits, event coverage, and beautiful shots of your store’s interior and exterior. Then we’ll practice our skills in guided group settings, where you will explore how perspective and creativity shape visual storytelling. You’ll leave with new skills, resources, and a more confident eye behind the lens. Recorded June 27, 2026 at Children’s...
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Indies Introduce: Ben Reeves (Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt)
BookED
ABA's interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Coco Zephir of in Plainville, MA interviews Ben Reeves, author of , available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by
info_outlineABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book.
In this episode, Elisa McIntosh of The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid, NY interviews Liv Mae Morris, author of The Last Dragon House, available now at your local independent bookstore.
Theme song by Constant Companion