Meanwhile, we are getting ready for a new year at Cranesbill, with changes that will hopefully make our selections a bit better. But meanwhile, I have to tell you how happy it makes us all to hear people telling us how they value what we do as a staff. We are glad that you noticed that we do take the time to try to help you in the most thorough way possible. We are really sorry that we couldn’t put every book, toy, CD, or DVD you needed in your hands—but we can assure you that we try. In some cases, you told us about it, and we are really grateful for that. But I think in reading Alison Morris’s blog at Publishers Weekly, I found the best description, and so I want to quote her here. She is the children’s book buyer at Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Read her blog if you love kids’ books. It’s found at www.publishersweekly.com/blog .
“I also enjoy the holiday push because it brings an exhilarating sort of energy to the store that simply doesn't exist during the other months of the year. Because all of our booksellers are working flat-out these days, tending to the needs of customers, wrapping gifts at the speed of light, tag-teaming one another at the cash register, we all feel very much like we're part of a team -- much more so than on our slower days. It's gratifying to feel like we're all working together, and working HARD, to keep the wheels of our beloved machine running, keep people happy, and go home feeling good about what we've done … And just what have we done that's so gratifying? Sent people home with wonderful books!”We hope that your part in this well-observed scene is appreciated. And we can honestly say that our year-end results are a bit of good news in a year that has been lackluster for most of us. Let’s hope for a better 2008 and we welcome your comments about how we can make our selection, our service, and whatever else you can think of better. And many thanks for believing in us. We look forward to a wonderful 2008.
