San Francisco-based publisher Chronicle Books celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. On Wednesday, June 21, Shelf Awareness published a dedicated issue for the celebration. Featured throughout all the festivities this summer is Lummi Island author and illustrator, Nina Laden.
Laden’s board book, Peek-a Who?, was originally published in 2000. The bright, simple, funny book for babies is in the top 5 of Chronicle’s bestselling titles (see the above infographic from the publisher for the Top 10). It inspired a plush owl toy and a matching game as well as other baby-friendly books like Peek-a Zoo!, Peek-a Boo!, Peek-a Choo Choo! and the upcoming Peek-a Moo! (August 2017).
Shelf Awareness interviewed Chronicle children’s publishing director Ginee Seo about the publisher’s first great 50 years.
Part of the impetus to publish children’s books came from realizing that Chronicle’s emphasis on well-designed, innovative, fun titles would fit well to children’s books… The heart of the list has always been picture books, Seo says, “deceptively simple concept books” such as Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace; Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld; and Peek-a Who by Nina Laden.
On June 21, Laden posted the above photo to her Nina Laden Books facebook page with the caption:
Portrait of the Artist with all of her Chronicle Books. Grateful for almost 24 years of publishing with them. Happy 50th Chronicle- and here’s to 50 more! #ChronicleBooksTurns50
Happy birthday, Chronicle, and congratulations, Nina!