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May 12, 2023 by Travis Jonker

‘Where are your tall books?’ The Top 4 Unexpected Reasons for Popularity

May 12, 2023 by Travis Jonker   5 comments

Twice in the past month, I’ve had kindergarten students ask “Where are your tall books?”

I’d never had that question before. I replied, “Look on the shelf for the books that are taller than the others, and those are the tall books.” What else do you say?

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But it got me thinking about popular books and why they’re popular. Usually it’s because a book is good or funny or on a topic kids like. But sometimes, it might not be for the reasons you think. Here are the Top 4 Unexpected Reasons for Popularity:

1. The book has a unique size and/or shape

If it’s tall, short, or tiny all over, it’s going to get some extra attention. Think of Line ::: and 365 Penguins,

2. The book has a lot of pages

Words by Christopher Neiman? Checked out all the time.

3. Other people want the book

When one kid asks, others follow. Also known as the scarcity corollary. This recently happened in our library with Christie Matheson’s interactive books.

4. The book is in a prime shelf location

Is it really popular, or is it just at eye level? But I’ve talked about this one before.

*BONUS REASON* 5. The book is next to the bookend

See Laura G.’s comment below.

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Comments

  1. Laura Ginsberg says

    May 12, 2023 at 8:56 am

    I find that the books on the end of each shelf (next to the book end) get checked out frequently because you can see their covers without pulling them off the shelf.

    • Travis Jonker says

      May 12, 2023 at 8:58 am

      So true, Laura – I see this too!

  2. Rachel says

    May 15, 2023 at 8:19 am

    This question made me laugh.

    The problem with the tall books is that we often have to shelve them on their sides! So I guess I’d tell kids to find the books that stick out off the shelves.

  3. Maeve Knoth says

    May 22, 2023 at 1:47 pm

    I too am an elementary school librarian and find that kids often want a book that matches their friend’s book. Maybe it is a way to demonstrate that they are best friends? Since I don’t buy too many duplicates (we are a small school) I find friend pairs borrowing books with the same spine color, or some other odd characteristic.

    • Travis Jonker says

      May 26, 2023 at 11:23 am

      Ha! Oh yeah – I see that too. So true

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