How to identify a first printing
- Full descending number line on copyright page; first printing ends in 1 (e.g. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) — the number-line position of '1' is the authoritative first-printing signal
- Often states 'First edition' or 'First U.S. edition' on the copyright page (Candlewick is the US arm of UK Walker Books, so many titles are 'First U.S. edition' of a prior UK Walker printing)
- Library binding / reinforced trade editions exist; check copyright page number line not binding
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1992 (Somerville, MA) as the US arm of Walker Books UK; employee/independent-owned
- Major titles: Guess How Much I Love You, the Mega/Maisy line, Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn-Dixie, Tale of Despereaux — Newbery), Judy Moody, M.T. Anderson
- A US 'First U.S. edition' is NOT the true world first if a Walker Books UK edition preceded it — distinguish first-printing-of-this-edition from first-in-the-world
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Walker Books (UK sister company), Templar Books, Nosy Crow (distributed), Big Picture Press, Candlewick Studio, MIT Kids Press. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Candlewick Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Full descending number line on copyright page; first printing ends in 1 (e.g. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) — the number-line position of '1' is the authoritative first-printing signal Often states 'First edition' or 'First U.S. edition' on the copyright page (Candlewick is the US arm of UK Walker Books, so many titles are 'First U.S. edition' of a prior UK Walker printing)
Does Candlewick Press use a number line?
Often states 'First edition' or 'First U.S. edition' on the copyright page (Candlewick is the US arm of UK Walker Books, so many titles are 'First U.S. edition' of a prior UK Walker printing)
Is a book-club edition a Candlewick Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1992 (Somerville, MA) as the US arm of Walker Books UK; employee/independent-owned
What era does this cover?
This covers Candlewick Press (1992–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.
Candlewick Press titles with documented first-edition points
Each link opens that title’s specific points of issue — the exact marks that separate a true first printing from a later one.
- Because of Winn-Dixie (Kate DiCamillo, 2000)
- Beverly, Right Here (Kate DiCamillo, 2019)
- Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures (Kate DiCamillo, 2013)
- Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village (Laura Amy Schlitz, 2007)
- Louisiana's Way Home (Kate DiCamillo, 2018)
- Merci Suárez Changes Gears (Meg Medina, 2018)
- Mercy Watson Fights Crime (Mercy Watson 3) (Kate DiCamillo, 2006)
- Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (Mercy Watson 2) (Kate DiCamillo, 2006)
- Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (Mercy Watson 5) (Kate DiCamillo, 2008)
- Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson 1) (Kate DiCamillo, 2005)
- Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise (Mercy Watson 4) (Kate DiCamillo, 2007)
- Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes (Mercy Watson 6) (Kate DiCamillo, 2009)
- Raymie Nightingale (Kate DiCamillo, 2016)
- The Beatryce Prophecy (Kate DiCamillo, 2021)
- The Magician's Elephant (Kate DiCamillo, 2009)
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Kate DiCamillo, 2006)
- The Tale of Despereaux (Kate DiCamillo, 2003)
- The Tiger Rising (Kate DiCamillo, 2001)
- This Is Not My Hat (Jon Klassen, 2012)