Scholastic Inc.

Diversification. In simple terms, the concept can be summarized by a well-known saying: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Book publishers seem to be focused more on opportunities than challenges—or perhaps it's a case of seeing ways to turn the latter into the former.

Children's book publisher Scholastic has released a list of "10 Trends in Children’s Books from 2010." The list was compiled by Scholastic editors, "including children’s literature experts from Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic Book Fairs, divisions of Scholastic that distribute books from all publishers through schools nationwide," according to the company.

On Tuesday, December 14, Book Business will present a free webinar, sponsored by Canon, entitled "Children's Reading Trends in the Digital Age: An All-Access Pass to Scholastic's '2010 Kids and Family Reading Report.'"

Lori Benton, chairman of the board of directors for the nonprofit Every Child a Reader, has been named vice president and publisher of Scholastic's trade publishing division, overseeing direction of the publishing program for all imprints of the division. She will report to Scholastic Trade Publishing President Ellie Berger.

40% of printed hardcover and trade paperback books are remaindered or returned unsold to the publisher.

For those with businesses based on books and reading, it seems like a natural fit for book publishers to take up the literacy cause.

PDA has been increasingly adopted by libraries, and more digital distribution services are offering this as a purchase option.

Scholastic is celebrating its 90th anniversary with Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life., a global literacy campaign.

A box of old books dug out from my parents' garage reminded me of my favorite author as a child, Ruth Chew.