I have read an article today called "Children’s books are never just for children" and I couldn't agree more. Basically this article is saying that many authors are writing (among other genres) children's books and are being quite successful with them. To the point that, for some of them, those are the only books that are still being printed after many years.
Children's tend to re-read a lot, as they get obsessed with things that they enjoy and because, as they grow up, they can read deeper into the message. Also, because they start reading books with or through their parents, and as they learn how to read, they keep doing it and re-reading their favourites. Even after they grew up, they re-read them with nostalgia.
However, even though nowadays it is a genre quite successful (one of every four books sold in the UK is a children's books), still is not a genre that has been recognised by the publishing industry in general. There are only a few prizes for children´s books, and those are not even within the most popular or known. Also, the media coverage is very small. Why if the sales are good, the exposure is less?
I would also add, that lately, YA books are becoming more important within the industry, so it might be interesting to treat them differently and not labelling them as children´s books. Maybe then, it would be easier to create specific prizes for both of them.
Children's books are very important. It can shape them and expand their horizons. And even though, since the early 2000's this genre has increased a little bit its prestige and sales, there is a long way to go yet.
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