What: “Celebrate the Book”
Who: Jeffrey Blair of Eyeseeme African American Children’s Bookstore, Betty Bayer of Betty’s Books and Holland Saltsman of The Novel Neighbor
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
Where: St. Louis Artists’ Guild, 12 N. Jackson Avenue at Forsyth, Clayton
Missouri Professional Communicators will tap trends and current practices at it's upcoming program, “Celebrate the Book.” Speakers will be Jeffrey Blair of Eyeseeme African American Children’s Bookstore, Betty Bayer of Betty’s Books and Holland Saltsman of The Novel Neighbor. They will outline how their businesses have moved on and relate programs and opportunities they have implemented post-pandemic. Each store owner will bring some books for the family to purchase.
Jeffrey Blair of Eyeseeme African American Children’s Bookstore, University City
Jeffrey and his wife, Pamela, opened Eyeseeme in response to the dearth of children’s books that feature African Americans as heroes, victors, founders, creators and contribute to society. The bookstore is a resource to parents, teachers and schools to provide the best children’s books on the market promoting positive images and stories about African American culture and history.
Betty Bayer of Betty's Books, Webster Groves
Betty will highlight the vibrant comics scene in St. Louis by showcasing zines and comics by local creators such as Steenz, Dan Zettwoch, John Hendrix and Marie Enger. She will also discuss trends in the comics industry more generally, as well as Betty's Books’ favorite comics and graphic novels of the year.
Holland Saltsman of The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves
Holland opened The Novel Neighbor bookstore and community space in 2014 with new books of all genres, locally made art and carefully curated gifts for avid readers of all ages. They facilitate in-store book clubs, host book-themed birthday parties, summer camps, offsite Grownup Book Fairs, cocktail classes and offer two spaces for event rental. Its non-profit, The Noble Neighbor, seeks to amplify historically marginalized voices.
Register here to attend the free program.