No Substitute for Kids’ Books, Store Owner Says

After moving to Thousand Oaks 23 years ago, Nancy Sumers landed work as a substitute teacher. But when she had problems finding educational supplies for her students and for her young daughter, she decided to open her own children’s bookstore.

You can still find her there today.

New Horizons, at 1350-A N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, is one of two independent children’s bookstores in the county--the other is Adventures for Kids in Ventura, which has operated nearly as long as Sumers’ store. Some kind of endurance records, considering the dizzying array of choices the book-buying public enjoys today.

Adjusting to change, Sumers stocks some educational software, but books outsell software by 10 to one. She also has a small online business that offers teaching supplies.

But Sumers said New Horizons is a hands-on kind of store, where the products need to be looked at rather than ordered on a computer. She would prefer that children do hands-on reading as well.

“I’m a firm believer in a media-free zone,” Sumers said. “For a certain amount of time each day, leave them alone with books and fantasy play and each other.”

An estimated 60% of New Horizons customers are teachers, Sumers said. And she points out that her small store gives individual and personal attention to her customers. Some are second-generation, brought in first by their parents, Sumers said. Her own daughter works with her now, as well.

Sumers also teaches “Mommy & Me” classes in the community and leads workshops for PTA and teachers groups.

Bestsellers in children’s literature are often tied to the seasons, she said.

“Halloweener” by Dav Pilkey is an example of a seasonal favorite, while “The Rattlebone Rock” by Sylvia Andrews is a favorite read-aloud book.

“Last year’s bestseller was a very good teacher’s book, ‘Thank You, Mr. Falker’ by Patricia Polacco,” Sumers said. “It’s a wonderful tribute to teachers--the teacher that made a difference in Polacco’s life.”

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The book was the store’s No. 1 seller until the Harry Potter books hit the stores this year.

“We watch everyone else come and go and we’ve managed to stay this long,” she said. “We’re hanging in and doing OK.”

HAPPENINGS

* Today, 12:30 p.m. Reception for Gail Carson Levine, whose novel, “Ella Enchanted,” is a Newbery Honor Book and one of the year’s California Young Reader Medal contenders. Levine will introduce and sign her latest novel, “Dave At Night.” Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688.

* Today, 7 p.m. Debo Kotun, winner of USC’s Phi Kappa Phi Prize for fiction, will discuss and sign his novel, “Abiku.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 446-2820.

* Today, 7 p.m. The Shakespeare Reading Group will read “Othello” aloud, followed by a discussion. Sign up at 6:45 p.m. Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, (818) 222-0542.

* Today, 7 p.m. Featured poet, followed by open mike at 8 p.m. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Monday, 11 a.m. Cajun artist George Rodrique will sign his latest publication, “Blue Dog Man,” and give away a signed lithograph of Blue Dog. Borders, Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Monday, 7 p.m. Betty Edwards will discuss and sign her updated 20th anniversary edition of “The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.” Borders, Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Mark Twain will be the focus of Life & Times, a biography group for school-age kids. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m. Poetry workshop with Pepperdine University professor Michael Collings. Borders, Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m. Listen to “Song and Dance Man” by Karen Ackerman, which won the 1989 Caldecott Medal. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Author Michael Ginor will sign his book and provide samples of foie gras from his new cookbook “Foie Gras.” Calabasas Barnes & Noble, (818) -222-0542.

* Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. The Spiritual Reading Group will focus on “When God Whispers Your Name” by Max Lucado. Calabasas Barnes & Noble, (818) 222-0542.

* Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. Listen to “I Love You Blue Kangaroo” by Emma Chichester Clark. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Wednesday, 7 p.m. The Sci Fi Fantasy Group will focus on “Impossible Things” by Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Connie Willis. Borders, Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Daniel DeGoede and Danile Drews, a father-daughter team and coauthors of “Belief Therapy: A Guide to Enhancing Everyday Life,” will discuss and sign their book. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Thursday, 7 p.m. Teachers and educators of grades pre-K through 8 are invited to a reception and presentation of recently published titles by educator Cyra Beuhring. Refreshments, materials for classrooms and educators discount cards are available. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Author and illustrator William Joyce will sign “Rolie Polie Olie” at story time. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to 647-5649.