The points of issue
First printing has a number line counting down to 1; G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint; Hudson Talbott mixed-media art; true-first jacket bears NO Newbery Honor seal, as the honor was awarded in 2006.
Is this the true first?
The US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition of 2005 is the true first. It was named a Newbery Honor Book in 2006, which is unusual for a picture book, so the true-first jacket predates the seal.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings add the silver Newbery Honor seal to the jacket; book-club editions are typically unpriced.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Show Way a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has a number line counting down to 1; G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint; Hudson Talbott mixed-media art; true-first jacket bears NO Newbery Honor seal, as the honor was awarded in 2006.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition of 2005 is the true first. It was named a Newbery Honor Book in 2006, which is unusual for a picture book, so the true-first jacket predates the seal.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings add the silver Newbery Honor seal to the jacket; book-club editions are typically unpriced.
I have a first edition of Show Way — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.