ABOUT ABFFE:

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is the bookseller's voice in the fight against censorship. Founded by the American Booksellers Association in 1990, ABFFE’s mission is to promote and protect the free exchange of ideas, particularly those contained in books, by opposing restrictions on the freedom of speech; issuing statements on significant free expression controversies; participating in legal cases involving First Amendment rights; collaborating with other groups with an interest in free speech; and providing education about the importance of free expression to booksellers, other members of the book industry, politicians, the press and the public. ABFFE is a co-founder of the Kids' Right to Read Project and a sponsor of Banned Books Week, the only national celebration of the freedom to read.

ABOUT THE AUCTION AT BEA:

The Annual Children’s Book Art Silent Auction and Reception has been a highlight of children’s programming at BookExpo America for the last 19 years. This event offers a unique opportunity to buy beautiful, original art in children’s literature from leading, award-winning artists and illustrators of children’s books and a chance to socialize with friends from around the country, while supporting the all-important efforts opposing the censorship of children’s books and authors nationwide. This is a highly anticipated and fun event on the industry’s social calendar, and the only annual event where the entire children’s book industry is in the same room, including booksellers, publishers, authors, artists, illustrators, other industry professionals, and fans of illustrated children’s books and supporters of the free speech rights of young readers.

It is presented by the ABC Children’s Group at the American Booksellers Association and American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and all proceeds benefit the ABFFE—the bookseller’s voice in the fight against censorship, and the Kids’ Right to Read Project, which opposes hundreds of challenges to books that occur in schools and libraries every year.

ABOUT THE HOLIDAY AUCTION:

Previously held during Banned Books Week each September, in 2012 this auction was moved closer to the holidays. It is an online-only silent auction. Proceeds help support ABFFE’s defense of the free speech rights of kids.

ABOUT THE AUCTION AT ABA'S WINTER INSTITUTE:

Began in 2011, a small silent auction event was created for the premier independent bookseller event in the industry--the ABA's Winter Institute. Proceeds help support ABFFE’s defense of the free speech rights of kids.