The Gourmet Cookie Book: Your Ultimate Cookie Guide

Wondering what to bring to your in-laws for the holidays?
Nothing says it better than cookies!

For this stunning collection, the editors of Gourmet delved deep into their archives and selected the most delicious cookie for each year of the magazine’s sixty-eight-year existence. After marathon testing sessions and winnowing from thousands of recipes—many sent in by readers—they chose an amazing array, from the almond-scented French-style Cajun Macaroons, from the magazine’s beginnings in 1941, through Mocha Toffee Bars (1971), to the contemporary Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies.

George & Martha!

October marks the birthday of one of our great, late children's book writers- James Marshall. After searching through many of his titles, I came across these great 8x8 George and Martha paperbacks.



George and Martha: not, as one might think, the first president and his spouse, but two hippopotamuses created by the singular talent of James Marshall. For the past quarter century, these stories have entertained, intrigued, and delighted readers of all ages. The portly animals have also taught us, in a humorous and lighthearted way, about what it means to be a true friend. A man with a talent for friendship, James Marshall defined its very essence in his stories about the world's two best friends. In this volume, all thirty-five episodes are brought together to celebrate friendship and two of the most lovable book characters ever created.

George & Martha 9780395199725 $6.95
George & Martha: Back in Town 9780395479469 $6.95
George & Martha: Encore 9780395253793 $6.95
George & Martha: One Fine Day 9780395329214 $6.95
George & Martha: Rain and Shine 9780395280065 $6.95
George & Martha: Round and Round 9780395584101

Bats at the Ballgame on the NYT Bestseller List!

Brian Lies' new book Bats at the Ballgame (9780547249704 $16.99) debuts at #6 on the
'Picture Book List' of the New York Times!

Hurry up! Come one—come all!
We’re off to watch the bats play ball!

You’ll never forget your first game: the green so green, the presence of heroes past, and togetherness with family and friends, rooting for the home team.

But you think humans are the only ones who enjoy America’s national pastime? Grab your bat—the other kind—and your mitt, and join these captivating bats as they flutter off to watch their all-stars compete. How about a mothdog? Or some Cricket Jack?

In sweeping compositions that transport fans to the rightside-up and upside-down world of bats at play, Brian Lies treats us to a whole new ballgame.

Also by Brian Lies...

Bats at the Library 9780618999231 $16.00
Bats at the Beach 9780618557448 $16.00

New York Gift Show Wrap Up

Last week was the New York International Gift Fair. After entering the show with mixed feelings (mostly because of our new downstairs location) I have to say, this was one of the best shows I've attended since I started at Houghton (minus the humidity and rainy afternoons).

Our new location included a bigger booth space, fellow publishers Workman, Rizzoli, and Random House, and aisles filled with optimistic buyers!

A couple highlights from the show...

Alan Richardson, of the famous cupcake duo behind Hello, Cupcake and What's New, Cupcake,Here demonstrating lo mein cupcakes and spaghetti and meatball cupcakes! demonstrates how easy and magnificent it is to make these quirky cupcakes!

The big seller...
Our new Send-A-Story display! (9780547480046 $199.60)
Includes our 4 new mailable stories. (I Like You, Won't You be my Kissaroo, Everywhere Babies, and No Matter What- only $4.99 each!)

Be sure to check out all of HMH's new fall 2010 titles at www.hmhbooks.com!

Zest Books

We received some VERY exciting news recently...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will now be distributing Zest Books! An innovative San Francisco-based company, Zest Books is a line of smart and edgy books for teens ages 12 and up that focus on the color and chaos of teen life.
Hallie Warshaw, founder and publisher of Zest started the company in 2006 to offer "high quality, current, fun, hip nonfiction books" for the booming demographic that was devouring YA fiction. Zest produces 8-10 titles per year on topics important to teens, such as relationships, fashion, beauty, stress, dating, music, and high school and home life. The books are written by industry experts along with teen authors in consultation with Zest's Teen Advisory Board.
I am so excited to start selling these books- Here's a little of what you can expect!

The Date Book: A Teen Girl's Complete Guide to Going Out With Someone New

Kiss: A Girl's Guide to Puckering Up

Where's My Stuff: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide

Backlist Discovery: Creature Comforts

Almost everyone has a favorite doll, an aging teddy, or an unraveling blankie—either safely put away in a drawer or still lovingly tucked into bed at night. Adults and children alike treasure these creature comforts because they offer security, lifelong friendship, and the smell of home.

9780618118649 ~ $17.00

Through striking black-and-white photographs and first-person accounts, Barbara Collopy O’Halloran and Betty Udesen tenderly document and reveal just some of the extraordinary magic found beneath the worn exteriors of a misshapen sweater, a winking dog, and even an earless rabbit named “Chickey.”

Backlist Discovery: This is Just to Say...

While digging through our children's library for samples, I came across this lovely book by the incredible duo of Joyce Sidman and Pamela Zagarenski. (The same brillant author and illustrator of Caldecott Honor book Red Sings From Treetops 9780547014944)

9780618616800 ~ $16.00

This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness is illustrated in the same collage style as Red Sings and writes of crushes, overbearing parents, loving and losing pets, and more. This book is perfect for any stationary, card store, or pharmacy.