Children's books Shocker

[luriantimetraveler]

I've a few friends who have tried (unsuccessfully) to break into the writing of Children's books. I always thought it was cute idea, but probably just a lark. That is, until I read an article in the New York Times about the estate of Dr. Seuss stopping the publishing of some of his early books because of the depiction of some racial stereotypes in the illustrations. (We won't get into that!)

But what shocked me was this: Last year Green Eggs and Ham sold 338,000 copies, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, sold 311,000 copies, and something else I didn't know Oh the Places You'll Go, a popular graduation gift(?!), sold 513,000 copies. That would make any of those best sellers and then some.

Over his career his 60 books have sold 700,000,000 copies! --- I guess becoming a Children's author does have something significant in the return as a possibility.

Sales of Dr Seuss books

I, too, have contemplated (not children's but) middle grade as a possible "lark" — MG books are only a 20-30k, after all! But somehow when you only have a few words they...all matter more?!

 

[Parson]

I, too, have contemplated (not children's but) middle grade as a possible "lark" — MG books are only a 20-30k, after all! But somehow when you only have a few words they...all matter more?!

Which is why we have a 75 Word Challenge.

 

[CupofJoe]

The great thing about children's entertainment, be that books, films TV or whatever is that about every two-three years, it has an entirely new audience.
And especially with books, they get loved, used, reread and generally misused. You hold on to them for sentimental reasons or need to buy a new copy for a new generation of readers.