Beach Lane Books

This month, we focused on books published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. "Founded in 2008 and located on a flower-filled lane in San Diego, [Beach Lane] publishes books for all ages and across all genres, with a primary focus on lyrical, emotionally engaging, highly visual picture books for young children—and the adults who love them. Our list features established authors and illustrators in the field as well as brand-new talent, and our overarching goal is to publish books that are truly for children, books that connect with readers on a deep level and that become beloved childhood treasures people will return to throughout their lives." (source)

Beach Lane Books offers 18–20 hardcover and paperback titles a year, mostly picture books for the very young, but also select middle-grade and teen fiction. (source)

Getting to know Beach Lane Books (bios):

Allyn Johnston - VP and Publisher,
Interview with Editor Allyn Johnston  - Cocoastomp
Picture Books with Allyn Johnston - First Novels Club

Andrea Welch - Senior Editor
Making Your Picture Book a Perfect 10  - SCBWI Western Washington
Get to Know Andrea Welch - The Write Path

Sarah Jane Abbott - Editorial Assistant

Why We’re Still in Love with Picture Books (Even Though They’re Supposed to Be Dead) by Allyn Johnston and Marla Frazee

We had the following books on hand (*indicates books we read):

*Blue on Blue (2015); Written by Dianne White; Illustrated by Beth Kromes; Edited by Allyn Johnston

*Goatilocks and the Three Bears (2014); Written by Erica S. Perl; Illustrated by Arthur Howard; Edited byAllyn Johnston

*Boom Boom (2014); Written by Sarvinder Naberhouse; Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine; Edited by Allyn Johnston

The Farmer and the Clown (2014); Written and Illustrated by Marlee Frazee; Edited by Allyn Johnston

*One Big Pair of Underwear (2014); Written by Laura Gehl; Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

*Junkyard (2014); Written and Illustrated by Mike Austin

*The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever (2013); Written by H. Joseph Hopkins; Illustrated by Jill McElmurry; Edited by Andrea Welch

*Happy Birthday, Bunny! (2013); Written by Liz Garton Scanlon; Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin; Edited by Andre Welch

Come Back, Moon (2013); Written by David Kherdian; Illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian

*My Octopus Arms (2013); Written and Illustrated by Keith Baker; Edited by Andrea Welch

*I Love You, Nose! I Love You Toes! (2013); Written and Illustrated by Linda Davick

Linus The Vegetarian T. Rex (2013); Written and Illustrated by Robert Neubecker; Edited by Andrea Welch

*It's Monday, Mrs. Jolly Bones! (2013); Written by Warren Hanson; Illustrated by Tricia Tusa

*Baby Bear Sees Blue (2012); Written and Illustrated by Ashley Wolff; Edited by Andrea Welch

*Boot & Shoe (2012); Written and Illustrated by Marlee Frazee; Edited by Allyn Johnston

Rrralph (2011); Written and Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

*The Boss Baby (2010); Written and Illustrated by Marlee Frazee; Edited by Allyn Johnston

Biblioburro (2010); Written and Illustrated by Jeanette Winter

*All the World (2009); Written by Liz Garton Scanlon; Illustrated by Marla Frazee; Edited by Allyn Johnston








At our next meeting, on July 11, 2015, we will focus on picture books published by Chronicle Books.