Staff Picks: Bess Schelper Sampson’s Favorites
Hello! My name is Bess Schelper Sampson (@bessschelpersampson), and I’m a copy editor at Random House Children’s Books. I review everything from board books to YA novels. Some of my favorite properties to work on are Disney movies, Little Critter, Richard Scarry, and the Berenstain Bears. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks with my husband and baby and exploring Charlotte, where we moved a few years ago. I like reading all sorts of books, but as a new mom, I’m big into parenting books (especially audiobooks that I can listen to while I do laundry and put away toys!). I also enjoy aspirational cookbook collecting — emphasis on “aspirational.”
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Add to BookshelfSweety
by Andrea Zuill
Sweety is a headgear-wearing naked mole rat whose hobbies include interpretive dance and fungus identification. As her grandmother says, she’s a square peg. Humorous and self-aware, this picture book about staying true to yourself is one of my favorite titles to recommend for kids.
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First Love
by Ivan Turgenev
I first discovered this novella as part of Penguin’s Great Loves series, a collection of twenty writings on love that are packaged in slim, gorgeously designed volumes. Set in 19th-century Russia, it’s a coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old boy who is infatuated with his new neighbor. Unfortunately, she has many suitors, and as he realizes that she doesn’t share his feelings, he’s left dealing with the pain of unrequited love. I don’t generally reread anything (too many books out there!), but I’ve returned to this more than once over the years.
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$11.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Velveteen Rabbit
illustrated by Margery Williams and Erin Stead
Whenever this has come across my desk as a reprint or repackage, I have tried — and failed — to get through it without crying. One of the best parts of my job is revisiting stories I treasured as a kid. This classic picture book about a stuffed rabbit who longs to become “Real” through the love of his owner is even more moving to read as an adult. A special edition with new illustrations from Caldecott Medal winner Erin Stead came out a few years ago to commemorate the book’s 100th anniversary!
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
