The Horn Book Magazine: A Century of Children's Literature Reviewing
For over a hundred years, The Horn Book Magazine has served as a cornerstone of literary criticism for young readers. Established in Boston in 1924, it holds the distinction of being the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated exclusively to reviewing children's literature. What began as a simple curated list has evolved into a prestigious publication that shapes how educators, librarians, and parents discover quality books for children.
The Origins of a Literary Legacy
The magazine was founded by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field. Before launching the publication, the duo operated The Bookshop for Boys and Girls, which opened in 1916 as a project of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union. This establishment was the first bookstore for children in the United States.
The magazine itself originated as a "suggestive purchase list" created by Mahony and Field to guide their customers. While the physical bookshop closed its doors in 1936, the magazine persisted. As Mahony expressed in her inaugural editorial, the mission was to "blow the horn for fine books for boys and girls."
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Editorial Content and Contributions
Published every other month, The Horn Book Magazine provides a comprehensive look at the landscape of youth literature. Each issue features a blend of articles regarding current trends, essays penned by authors and artists, and detailed reviews of new hardcover releases and paperback reprints.
To ensure a diverse and expert perspective, the publication relies on a wide array of contributors. In addition to the professional staff, guest reviewers include historians, teachers, librarians, and booksellers.
Annual Highlights and Awards
The magazine is closely tied to the most prestigious honors in children's publishing. The January issue is dedicated to the speeches of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners, while the July issue features the speeches of the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal recipients.
One of the most anticipated features is the Fanfare list, published every December. This list represents the editors' curated selection of the finest children's and young adult books of the year. It is worth noting that these lists were not published between 1941 and 1945, nor between 1955 and 1958.
The Horn Book Guide and Corporate Evolution
Beyond the bimonthly magazine, the organization publishes The Horn Book Guide twice a year. This guide is more exhaustive, reviewing nearly every children's book published in the United States. Each entry in the guide includes a brief review and a numerical rating ranging from one to six.
In terms of ownership, the publication transitioned in the modern era when it was purchased by Media Source Inc. (MSI) in 2009. MSI also owns other prominent industry titles, including the Library Journal, School Library Journal, and the Junior Library Guild, as of 2010.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founders | Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field |
| Frequency | Bimonthly |
| Headquarters | Boston, United States |
| Parent Company | Media Source Inc. |
| ISSN | 0018-5078 |
Key Facts
- Oldest of its kind: The oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to children's book reviews.
- Historical Root: Started as a purchase list for the first U.S. children's bookstore.
- The Fanfare List: An annual December selection of the year's best children's and YA books.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The Horn Book Guide reviews almost every children's book published in the U.S.
- Rating System: The Guide uses a 1-to-6 scale for book ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Horn Book Magazine?
The magazine was founded in 1924 by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, who also ran the first children's bookstore in the United States.
What is the Fanfare list?
The Fanfare list is the editors' annual selection of the best children's and young adult books, published every December.
How often is the magazine published?
The Horn Book Magazine is a bimonthly publication, meaning it is released every other month.
What is the difference between the magazine and The Horn Book Guide?
While the magazine focuses on trends, essays, and selected reviews, The Horn Book Guide is published twice a year and aims to review nearly every children's book published in the U.S. using a 1-to-6 rating system.
Who currently owns the publication?
The Horn Book was purchased by Media Source Inc. (MSI) in 2009.