Publisher Fights Lefty Bias in Kids' Lit

Publishers embrace books about farts, boogers, blood

(NEWSER) - Young boys, who trail far behind their female peers as readers, are reversing that trend with help from publishers who seek to exploit their love for everything gross. The Wall Street Journal examines the wave of children's’ titles rife with farts, boogers, blood, and flesh-eating bacteria—and talks with some grown-ups who don't see a problem. More»

The story of one American expatriate's local publishing company

(NEWSER) - In Laos, many children had never seen a book until “Uncle Sasha” came to town. American Sasha Alyson first visited the impoverished country in 2003, and was struck by the lack of books for children. “Many [kids] don't even know what a book is. Sometimes you have to show them how to turn a page,” he tells the Christian Science Monitor. So he created his own publishing company, Big Brother Mouse , in 2006 and, along with two dozen local helpers, he’s been publishing and distributing children’s books in Laos ever since. More»

Obama's vacation book list drives leaps in Amazon sales rankings

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s poll numbers are faltering, but his summer reading choices are getting rave reviews, Politico reports. A survey of the Amazon.com standings of the five books the White House announced he would take with him on his Martha’s Vineyard vacation show a drastic improvement in sales. If you’re doubtful about joining Obama’s Book Club, look at these numbers and follow the pack: More»

You can look smart, but still get your fill of juicy sex

(NEWSER) - Paulina Porizkova “quit school at 15 to live off of my looks,” but she’s also a lifelong bookworm, she writes for Modelinia. Because she feels “the need to constantly prove I’m not some dumb model,” she offers up her “summer reading for folks who want to seem kinda smart”:

• A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth: Not only is this 1,488-page tome full of “good ol’ sex and drama,” you’ll learn all about India’s customs, politics, and religion.

Old dad, poor dad as out of it as ever in kid lit

(NEWSER) - Despite major upheavals in gender roles, clueless dads unable to parent or set a table still rule in children's books—if they exist at all—laments one stay-at-home father. "I’m aware that there is plenty of good-natured humor to be had from lampooning fathers," writes columnist Damon Syson in the Times of London. But in his survey of books, fathers are all too often "absent, silly or just plain busy. When they do appear they are often withdrawn and ineffectual," he notes. More»