More ways to confirm a first printing
- Kane Miller world-picture-book co-editions often state 'First American edition' and may show the foreign original-edition date alongside it
Notable points & cautions
- Boyds Mills Press began in 1990 as the trade imprint of Highlights for Children; in 2019 Highlights sold the book program to Kane Press (owned by Beijing's Thinkingdom), forming Boyds Mills & Kane
- In September 2021 the children's program was reorganized under the Astra Books for Young Readers division of Astra Publishing House; the former Boyds Mills Press trade imprint specifically was renamed Astra Young Readers (not the company as a whole)
- Calkins Creek publishes American history; Wordsong is the only US children's poetry imprint; Kane Miller specializes in importing and co-editing world picture books
- Reliable modern number-line convention
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Boyds Mills Press (now Astra Young Readers), Calkins Creek (American history), Wordsong (poetry), Kane Press, Kane Miller (world picture books), Hippo Park, mineditionUS. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Boyds Mills & Kane book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printing: a descending number line ending in 1 on the copyright page, frequently accompanied by 'First edition [year]' wording; the lowest digit indicates the printing Kane Miller world-picture-book co-editions often state 'First American edition' and may show the foreign original-edition date alongside it
Does Boyds Mills & Kane use a number line?
Kane Miller world-picture-book co-editions often state 'First American edition' and may show the foreign original-edition date alongside it
Is a book-club edition a Boyds Mills & Kane first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Boyds Mills Press began in 1990 as the trade imprint of Highlights for Children; in 2019 Highlights sold the book program to Kane Press (owned by Beijing's Thinkingdom), forming Boyds Mills & Kane
What era does this cover?
This covers Boyds Mills & Kane (1990-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.
Clearing out a shelf that includes Boyds Mills & Kane books? I take books as a free donation and make sure collectible copies are identified, not discarded: free pickup in the Albuquerque metro (scheduled by route), the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, or donor-paid mail-in from anywhere in the US. Call or text 505-250-3804.