0 So what is the OZ First Editions Club?

Lemuria Books has this really cool thing called a First Editions Club. The adult First Edition's Club delivers a signed first edition (occasionally two) every month to your doorstep. The selections are predominately fiction (mix of contemporary literature, Southern fiction and mystery) and chosen based on literary content and potential future collectability. This may mean choosing an established author or singling out a new writer for our support. To better understand the nature of the First Editions Club selections, please view our list of previous selections.

In February of 2011 Zita and I joined forces and created a First Editions Club for children’s books. These books are chosen much in the same way the First Editions Club books are picked: the author will sign first editions of his or her book, and we only choose books that we feel will have value not only to families, but also to the serious collector.  This is a great way to start a library for a child in your life or to add to your own library. You can even give OZ First Editions Club as a gift.

We always try to pick a book that will be not only treasured, but accrue value. In 2012 alone, we picked a Newbery Honor book (Three Times Lucky) and a Caldecott Honor (Creepy Carrots!).

We haven't picked a book in awhile and our current members were obviously getting antsy. In the past, we choose books by authors that had come to the store and signed here with us. However, from now on, this will not be a priority. We feel by widening our options for OZ FEC, we will be able to pick amazing books every month, even if the author isn't going on tour or can't make it to Lemuria. We want to make sure that we pick the best book that comes out that month, be it picture book or middle grade, and we don't want to be tied down to who the publishers send our way.

To jumpstart this change, we've picked Penny and her Marble by Kevin Henkes for February and Otis and the Puppy by Loren Long for March. Both are picture books and both are pretty fantastic.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this club, feel free to email us with any questions at out new OZ FEC email address: ozfec@lemuriabooks.com or call us at the store 601.366.7619.

We look forward to a year of the best signed, first edition children's books!