Reap rewards of 2008's crop of new books

This is the time of year when the seed and bulb catalogs appear, providing optimism for bright spring planting. My family and I have always pored over seed catalogs seeking ideas for color in the garden or, recently, ways to conserve water with xeriscaping.

I do the same with publishers' catalogs. Bright pictures and fascinating descriptions tantalize buyers with the newest and most appealing books for the coming seasons. It is relaxing — and even warming — to speculate on upcoming Easter books and Fourth of July titles.

Unlike the seed catalogs, however, there are limited repetitions in publishing; most titles go out of print quickly. There are "trends" that skirt through most of the catalogs, some predictable and others that reflect current social and artistic changes. Some topics left me shocked at the sophistication authors attribute to readers, in books labeled for tweens and young adults. But since editors seem savvy to what will sell and make "book-plantings" for the coming year, these are my observations for what's new:

Publishers reissue classics and old favorites that become the benchmarks to watch for in new catalogs. For example, Roald Dahl's works ("James and the Giant Peach," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") are being reissued in new covers. Also, "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder is celebrating 40 years in print with a new jacket. There are a few other notable celebrations of longevity, such as Golden Books highlighting the company's 65th year in publication and past licenses such as Curious George and Raggedy Ann.

Publishers promote forthcoming titles of award-winners as an enticement. Linda Sue Parks has a new book, "Keeping Score," and Lois Lowry's "The Willoughbys" is being publicized. David Macaulay follows his many award-winning architectural books with "Mosque."

Occasionally publishers find success with books by celebrities and use their notoriety as a selling-point. Thankfully I saw fewer of those this season but did note that HarperCollins will promote "Look in a Book" by Laura and Jenna Bush.

The most obvious trend in all catalogs is the graphic novel (sometimes called comic books). Manga has become big business internationally and there will be dozens of novels, adaptations of old classics and folk literature available in picture format this season. Examples are "Amulet" by Scholastic and Hyperion's "Thoreau at Walden," based on writing from Henry David Thoreau.