Podcast
BookED
Hosted by American Booksellers Association · EN
BookED is the bookstore education podcast brought to you by the American Booksellers Association. For additional bookstore resources or to sign up as an ABA member, visit us at www.bookweb.org.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ci2026: ipage® Workshop: Tools, Tips, and Q&A with Ingram
4w ago01:01:52Tap to summarizeJoin Ingram for an educational ipage session with a live demo and a look at recent platform enhancements. Explore practical tools and techniques to boost title discoverability, navigate the platform more efficiently, and get your questions answered in an interactive Q&A. We'll also share a brief update on Covered, Ingram's new marketing platform launching Fall 2026. Covered connects publishers, booksellers, and librarians on one platform, enabling digital catalog and DRC access, title discovery, POS system connection, and ordering. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Intro to Reading Levels
4w ago01:00:21Tap to summarizeA parent comes into the store and asks about Lexile reading levels, and you're left secretly thinking, "What even is that?" This introductory session will demystify Lexile and Fountas & Pinnell reading levels for booksellers, explaining what they measure and how they're used in the children's book market. You'll leave with a greater understanding of the levels and confidence in how to choose books for each level. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Making Children's Booksellers Out of Everyone
4w ago02:00:37Tap to summarizeHow do you extend specialized children's bookselling knowledge from beyond one expert to your entire staff? This session offers concrete methods for equipping all frontline staff with the core competencies of children's bookselling, from understanding age ranges and developmental stages to mastering key handselling techniques. Panelists will break down training models, workflow integrations, and resources that help general booksellers confidently recommend titles, engage families, and strengthen the store's overall children's business. Recorded June 27, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Empowering the ('90s) Inner Child
4w ago01:02:10Tap to summarizeThe kids' section is looking very nostalgic these days with special edition reprints of popular '90s kids' books. This points to a greater trend in the industry and a great market and genre to tap into to improve your bottomline: millennial nostalgia. This session will focus on how stores have been successful in catering to millennials knowing this age group can't resist the magic of their own childhood memories. From special editions to sidelines and events, this session will share how the children's section is no longer just for children. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion.
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Ci2026: Education for Authors
4w ago00:59:32Tap to summarizeDeveloped for author guests at Children's Institute, this panel features booksellers who have formulated best practices for creating events that benefit both stores and authors. This session will cover a number of issues, from author publicity to dealing with pre-event nerves. Recorded June 28, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion.
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Ci2026: Decoding Children's Book Awards
Jul 1601:02:06Tap to summarizeThere are so many literary awards for children's books, so how do you keep up? Especially as established awards are now expanding to include children's books! This panel introduces booksellers to the wide landscape of children's book awards, from national honors to regional and genre-specific prizes. Hear how stores are also adapting this format into making their own engaging award programs! Recorded June 28, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Children's Bookselling 101: A Seminar
Jul 1601:57:10Tap to summarizeThis session is for those new — and newer! — to children's bookselling. Long-time children's booksellers will demystify and clarify important information you wouldn't know until someone told you! Developing sales rep relationships, opening accounts versus ordering from a wholesaler, and more will be discussed. You will leave feeling confident, with foundational knowledge that you will grow over the course of the Institute. Recorded June 27, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Bookstore Policies for Free Expression
Jul 1600:50:18Tap to summarizeWith pressure on bookstores increasing over their curation of books and events, it is essential to have clear policies that reflect your store's emphasis and values. Having a curation policy helps a store keep the team on the same page, explain curation decisions to customers, and work through disagreements within the staff and community. Led by ABFE's Associate Director Philomena Polefrone, this session will offer a structure to help you start articulating your store's processes and values. Attendees will leave with a draft they can continue developing when they return to their store. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Books, Gifts, and Events for Analog Customers
Jul 1601:00:29Tap to summarizeAnalog is back! As more adults look to limit their screen time, they're rediscovering screen-free activities like reading, journaling, puzzling, and crafting. Curated "analog bags" — portable totes designed to encourage unplugging — are trending, and bookstores are perfectly positioned to become the go-to destination for filling them. This session will explore how to merchandise for the analog movement, handsell across categories, and create events that tap into the growing desire for offline connection and creativity. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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Ci2026: Author(less) Events & Community Partnerships
Jul 1601:01:06Tap to summarizeYou can still celebrate an author and have an incredible, fun event even if the author can't come to the store physically! This session will focus on authorless events, such as craft workshops, character meet-and-greets, scavenger hunts, zine-making workshops, cookbook dinners, and community partnerships. Learn to design crowd-pleasing, low-cost programming that doesn't rely on author visits. This session is perfect for stores that want steady community engagement with staff-led events. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
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