Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Better Books: Hicklebee's owner Valerie Lewis, center, and store staffers Carol Schweppe, left, and Monica Holmes show off copies of 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' the book that inspired their new award for children's titles.
Hicklebee's picks best kids' lit
Bookstore's annual award is a reminder independents can still make a difference
By Chantal Lamers
Hicklebee's children's book store started a new tradition on June 1, by selecting the store's Book of the Year. And because the store's recommendations carry so much weight, staffers will give the annual award twice a year.
Owner Valerie Lewis says she and her 14-person staff decided to give the award to well-written children's titles to put independent booksellers in the spotlight at a time when corporate chains are popping up everywhere.
The first award went to Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Lewis flew to Chicago on June 1, to present the award to DiCamillo and Candlewick Press, the book's publisher. Lewis was also interviewed about the award by CNN that weekend.
Lewis, who has been a children's book critic for CBS' This Morning for 11 years, plans to review the book on the July 5 program.
The inspiration for the award came from Hicklebee's staffer Carol Schweppe, who has worked at the store for 17 years.
Schweppe says she was touched by Because of Winn-Dixie. Rather than waiting to see if the book would win prestigious accolades such as the Newberry or School Library Journal awards, she thought Hicklebee's should proclaim it a winner.
"I'd be very surprised if it didn't win an award," she says. "Whether it wins one or not, it's definitely got our award."
Over the years, Schweppe says, Hicklebee's has built credibility with its customers, many of whom ask staff to recommend books.
Books up for consideration by the Hicklebee's staff can be published anywhere, written or illustrated by anyone--new or established authors, Lewis says.
Lewis says store staff will select the winners by voting on the books they consider the best in the children's genre and announcing the winners twice a year on June 1 and Nov. 1.
Lewis hopes the winning books will enrich the lives of Hicklebee's customers, staff and young readers across the country.
Hicklebee's staff includes former teachers, librarians and other bookstore owners. According to Lewis, some of her employees are young adults who grew up buying their books at the 21-year-old bookstore.
Lewis says the award can be a great way to remind people that independent bookstores also have the power to turn books into bestsellers. "For years," Lewis says, "we've been discovering books that become popular one year later."
Before books such as Harry Potter were best sellers across the country, Hicklebee's staff made them best sellers in the store, she adds. "We kept sticking that book in people's hands,"
In Because of Winn-Dixie, DiCamillo tells the story of a 10-year-old girl who just moved to a new town with her father. The main character, India Opal Buloni, has no idea what's in store for her until she adopts a big, ugly dog named after a supermarket.
A review by Hicklebee's says the book brings issues such as integrity and diversity alive for readers. Lewis says the book is one that customers thank store staff for recommending.
For more information, call Hicklebee's at 292.8880.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
