I've just read advice in a 'How to Write for Children' book that as a would-be-author it's best to approach publishers first because agents generally don't want to take on someone without a published book or two under their belt. On the other hand many publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. Does anyone on this site have actual experience to draw on regarding this?
Thank's all - that was what I suspected.
The current clime definitely seems to favour the agent route. I submitted a children's novel direct to five publishers about ten years ago but when I checked the same publisher's websites recently all of them no longer accept manuscripts direct.
Check the publication date on that book! Even if it was published this year, the first draft may have been started two years ago. A lot can change in that time.
As Louise has written above, checking websites is more likely to provide you with the current advice. I have seen statements on websites of small independent publishers along the lines of "We no longer accept unsolicited submissions" implying they used to. The websites of literary agencies will also tell you which agents have children's authors on their lists.
I am at the editing and re-editing stage and hope to be submitting soon - I will be trying agents first.
Good luck and hope you find the information you need.