On September 24th, the Children’s Book Council (CBC) hosted an Early Career Committee Networking Event at their NYC offices. It was an evening filled with lively discussions about books and industry stories.
The Children’s Book Council is a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting children’s literature and the importance of reading. The CBC works closely with Every Child A Reader to help make books more accessible to young people nationwide. Two programs they are most recognized for include Children’s Book Week, which will be celebrated this November, and Get Caught Reading, a year-round campaign that promotes how reading can be fun. They do this by providing teachers, librarians, and booksellers with bullet-sized posters of authors, artists, athletes, musicians, and even book characters “caught” reading their favorite book, with the hopes that children feel inspired to read like their own role models.
Publishing professionals from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Bloomsbury were among the attendees at this event, coming together to celebrate the work they do and expand their professional networks. The event provided an inviting space to connect with others, share experiences, enjoy refreshments, and take part in a fun book swap. What made this evening especially meaningful was its focus on publishing professionals who are within their first five years in the industry. Therefore, everyone was in similar stages in their careers and were happy to connect through their publishing stories and future endeavors. It is rare to see a networking event solely for early career professionals, so it was lovely to witness the amazing conversations being had and the connections being built.
As a part of the event setup, the CBC was able to display vintage Children’s Book Week posters, including a standout piece from the 50th anniversary back in 1969. It was illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully and shows a child standing on a stack of books, surrounded by other children who are protesting. Attendees were able to take time to admire the work of McCully as they engaged in conversations and learned more about the CBC.
No bookish event would be complete without a book swap. As the evening came to a close, attendees were invited to pick out a paper slip to receive a surprise book to take home. The titles ranged from children’s picture books to young adult novels that are either already published or are upcoming releases.
The CBC Early Career Committee event served as a great reminder to always stay connected to your community. It is events like these where you can ask questions, celebrate the stories professionals help bring into the world, and find common ground among others who share the same passion for diverse stories.
