This delightful addition to the ongoing ExquisiteCorpse Adventureintroduces a new character--Sybil Hunch, the Misfortune-Teller--who seems to have walked right out a fairy tale.
The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a reading and writing outreach project jointly sponsored by the Library of Congressand the NCBLA. Created by a dream team of eighteen award-winning authors and illustrators, a new episode is published every two weeks. The NCBLA has created an extensive educational resource centerin conjunction with the talented professors and staff at the Butler Children's Literature Center at Dominican University to help parents, teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers maximize the educational opportunities presented by The Exquisite Corpse Adventure. And don't missThe Exquisite Prompt, the coordinating writing contest for kids of all ages sponsored byReading Rockets, complete with its own set of enriching materials!
LOC Book Palace Intros New Fairy Grandmother of Kidlit World!
Your exclusive behind-the-scenes report!
Above photo: Katherine Paterson, the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature—and NCBLA Vice-President—with her granddaughter Jordan Paterson at the Library of Congress.
On Monday night while the children’s book world, abuzz with anticipation, waited for news from Washington as to who the next National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature would be, family and friends toasted author Katherine Paterson at an intimate dinner party on Capitol Hill.
Presiding over the table at Bistro Bis, Betsy Groban, SVP and publisher of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and Dinah Stevenson, VP and Publisher of Clarion Books, warmly welcomed guests including Katherine’s husband John, their four children, spouses, and an attractive gaggle—or giggle—of grandchildren, as well as John Cole, the director of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. Ms. Paterson, in an elegant black pantsuit, a turquoise silk scarf framing her lovely face, with—as stated in The New York Times— “her silver hair cut in a feathered bob,” graciously accepted the many compliments and congratulations of the evening. (When Jon Scieszka was announced as the first Children’s Book Ambassador did The New York Times comment on his coiffure?!—inquiring minds want to know!)
Wednesday morning, bright and early, your faithful reporter made her way to the Center for the Book Offices in the Madison building at the Library of Congress where she found John Cole, Anne Boni, Guy Lamolinara, and Staceya Sistare finishing up last minute details for the day’s event—editing talking points and gathering together copies of Katherine Paterson’s book Bread and Roses,Too to give as gifts to young students attending the event. (Fans of the LOC/NCBLA Exquisite Corpse Adventure may want to know that John and Guy are part of the production team that brings you a new Exquisite Corpse Adventure episode every two weeks!!)
NCBLA board assistant and program director Geri Eddins with Center for the Book Director John Cole.
Guy Lamolinara, Center for the Book staff, and Exquisite Corpse Adventure web designer and webmaster, prepping for Katherine Paterson's Ambassadorial debut!
We left the office carting books down elevators and through underground tunnels to the Library of Congress’ magnificent Jefferson Building, where the main event would take place. Katherine and John Paterson had already arrived and were chatting with the very first Children’s Book Ambassador, the Stinky Cheese Man himself, Jon Scieszka and his beautiful wife Gerri. Fashion notes: Katherine wore a smart black suit with her signature color magenta blouse and silver earrings, her matching "silver hair in its feathered bob" looking quite fabulous. Jon Scieszka’s brilliant head shone brightly under the Jefferson Building chandeliers, as did Gerri’s curly red locks — and don’t miss Gerri's ultra cool retro designer suit in this photo:
Yo! Women's Wear Daily check out this fashion foursome!!!
Mr. Scieszka remarked that there should be some kind of visual acknowledgment or recognition of the Ambassador's' tenure, and suggested to Katherine that their images be added to this mural in the Jefferson building, with he and Katherine's figure portraits floating alongside these Grecian ladies.
Katherine's response is unknown, as is the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Billington's.
This is dedication to a cause! A broken arm did not stop Childrens' Book Council executive director Robin Adelson from trekking all the way to D.C for the event, in spite of the pain! The Children's Book Council, under Robin's creative leadership, co-sponsors the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Fashion note: Is it a coincidence that Robin's cast and sling are robin's egg blue? Those in the know say no!
And here are Robin's elves from the CBC hardworking staff unpacking souvenir cookies for the kid guests!
Dr. James Billington, Librarian of Congress, arriving to thank Jon Scieszka for two remarkable years of service to his nation, and to name Katherine Paterson as the new Children's Book Ambassador.
Among the invited guests were third through fifth grade students from Capitol Hill Day School, Brent Elementary School, and St. Peter's Interparish School. Their parents and teachers should be incredibly proud. These students were interested and interesting, asking the new Ambassador Katherine Paterson insightful questions. One of this reporter's favorite questions came from a third grade boy politely inquiring,"How do you feel when you write?"
The kids watching as Katherine Paterson comes to the podium after receiving her Ambassador Medal.
"Read for your life. Read for your life as a member of a family, as a part of a community, as a citizen of this country and a citizen of the world."
Katherine Paterson
Among the invited guests were
Katherine Paterson's beautiful daughters, Mary Katherine and Elizabeth Po Li.
And Katherine's beautiful daughters-in-law, Samantha and Arianna. All busy moms with their own fascinating careers.
Surrounding Katherine and her husband John are many of her proud family members, including sons John and David who have recently created their own production company Arcady Bay Entertainment.
Other guests at the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature celebration Tuesday at the Library of Congress included:
Librarian Rita Auerbauch, resplendant in a rich plum-colored two-piece suit with her own silver locks cut in edgy "Judi Dench" style! Rita was a member of the selection committee that chose Katherine Paterson. Other members of the committee were: Betty Carter, Young Adult Library Services Adminstrations board member; Roger Sutton, editor-in-chief of The Horn Book Magazine; Dianne Roback, children's book editor of Publisher's Weekly; Angela Sherrill, Chicago's 57th Street Books children's book coordinator; and the retiring grand poohba himself, wonderful and amazing Jon Scieszka!! Rita is also giving great service to our nation's children this year, chairing the Caldecott Award committee. Bravo Rita!!
Literacy advocate and Reading is Fundemental Chairman Emerita, Lynda Johnson Robb, delayed a trip to Hawaii in order to attend the event. Lynda is dressed in lavender in the picture at right.
In the photo at right is librarian and educational consultant Maria Salvadore (pictured at left), who was on the committee that selected the first national Children's Book Ambassador, Jon Scieszka. Maria is volunteering her time this year to serve on the Newbery selection committee and also serves on the Advisory Council of the NCBLA. Pictured with her is Mary Brigid Barrett, president and executive director of the NCBLA. Maria and Mary Brigid spent hours, weeks, months, planning and coordinating their outfits. Maria's natural blond locks are lightly feathered. Mary Brigid occasionally chops off her hair here and there with some old kitchen shears.
After this marvelous, moving event the Library of Congress held a reception in honor of the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for all the adults in attendance. The incredible kids who attended escaped to a much more kid-friendly environment, having a great time with librarian Jane Gilchrest in the new Young Reader's Center in the Jefferson Building, which is open to the public.
While the guests munched on delicious repast,
the new Ambassador was interviewed
by The Washington Post.
No one told the new Ambassador that Ambassadors
never get a chance to eat!
This reporter bids you a fond farewell, leaving you with this beautiful photo of Katherine Paterson, the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, taken by her daughter-in-law photographer Samantha Loomis.
Hurrah Katherine Paterson!! Thank you Jon Scieszka!
Today at the Library of Congress author Jon Scieszka will be applauded and honored for the remarkable work he has done these past two years spreading joy, delight, and an exuberant love of reading to children, young and old, as our nation's very first Ambassador for Children's Books. With an ever present mischievous twinkle in his eye and an irrepressible spirit, Jon has traveled the length and breadth of our country inspiring young people, especially "reluctant" readers, to read everything from comic strips, to books, to electronic media. He has been so good as "the Ambassador" everyone in the children's book community has been wondering-- who could follow Jon, who could live up the standard he has created?!
Why Katherine Paterson, of course!!!! Not only is Katherine one of the most honored and esteemed writers in the world, she has also been a life long advocate of peace, justice, universal literacy, and equal educational opportunities for all, especially as those issues relate to young people. She is every child's dream grandmother, and with great wit and warm charm embraces the world with an undying optimism. She is the perfect choice to be the next New National Ambassador for Children's Literature!! Of course, we here at the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance are a wee bit prejudiced as Katherine is a Vice-President and founding Board member of the NCBLA.
This morning, Katherine and Jon will meet privately with Dr. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, in his ceremonial office before Katherine is officially named as the new Ambassador.
We will report of today's events later today! But in the meantime, go to www.thencbla.org for more details!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuck Everlasting Author NatalieBabbitt Writes Episode Eight of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure!! –live tomorrow on READ.gov!!
“By the way, my second grade students were very disappointed they wouldn't be in school the day episode 8 arrives! Thank you for all of this! My students are very motivated and we are enjoying the Exquisite Corpse very much. Happy Holidays!”
For all those kids, here is a sneak peek at Episode Eight, and kids you don’t have to wait—you can read it tomorrow at home on READ.gov
From “A Possible Solution" by Natalie Babbitt:
“‘Who are you, you with the warning?’ cried the pig. ‘Let us see you!’
And so, from behind a bush, a crooked, bent old woman stepped out. She was wearing a cloak of black, and her hair was frizzy white around her creased and wrinkled face. “I am the voice,” she croaked, “but I don’t deserve the credit. I am only a reporter of possible things to come. I am Sybil Hunch, the local misfortune-teller. I was reading my crystal ball,” she told them, holding out a sphere of misty glass, “and it let me know there was trouble waiting . . . .”
“A Possible Solution” is illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering! How cool is this crop from his eerie illustration!
To read all The Exquisite Corpse Adventureepisodes, go to:
To find out what The Exquisite Corpse Adventureis all about, and to find fun reading and writing activities and educational support materials to help you expand your children’s and teens’ literacy and literary experience, go to: http://www.thencbla.org/Exquisite_Corpse/exquisite_home.html
Kids Going Stir Crazy on Holiday Break?Read The Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episode Seven: The Beast Pit by Shannon Hale illustrated by Calef Brown
Are your kids bored with board games? Are they zombied-out from zeroing in on electronic screens? Or are you traveling with no books in tow? Well, have we got a great way keep them from driving you crazy--keep them entertained and laughing reading The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, free online atREAD.gov!!
And when they are done reading the latest hilarious episode by Shannon Hale get them guessing, and writing about what will happen next when Episode Eight-- written by none other than the fabulous author Natalie Babbit-- of TUCK EVERLASTING fame, goes live this Friday!!!!
And to keep the kids busy until Friday, stop by your local library or bookstore and find these great books by Shannon Hale and Calef Brown! Your kids will not be able to put them down and you can sit down and have a cup of coffee and read the paper undisturbed!
Find Shannon Hale's Forest Born, River Secrets, and The Goose Girl at your neighborhood library or bookstore!
And make sure you get Calef Brown's books--Soup for Breakfast, Flamingoes on the Roof, and Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks--too!!!
“I am happy, very happy tonight for my five years work is done, and whether it succeeds or not, I shall be the richer and better for it, because the labor, love, disappointment, hope and purpose, that have gone into it, are a useful experience that I shall never forget. Now if it makes a little money and opens the way for more, I shall be satisfied, and you in some measure repaid for all the sympathy help and love that have done so much for me in these hard years. I hope Success will sweeten me and make me what I long to become more than a great writer—a good daughter. And so God bless you, dear mother, and send us all a Happy New Year.”
~Louisa May Alcott in a letter to her mother accompanying a copy of her new book Moods.
Check your local PBS television schedule to find out whenAmerican Masters: Louisa May Alcott, the Woman Behind Little Womenairs in your community. More information at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/
And if you live in or are visiting New England, a visit to the Alcott family home, Orchard Housemakes for fascinating family field trip for all ages! For more information go to:http://www.louisamayalcott.org/
For more information about Louisa May Alcott, visit the Library of Congress website at:
Louisa May Alcott's book Little Women is an extraordinary book to read to your kids aloud chapter by chapter. Read it together before you see a movie version of the story. And after reading the book and viewing a Little W0men movie, have a conversation with your kids comparing and contrasting the story to the movie, and comparing and contrasting the experience of reading a book to watching a movie inspired by a book.
You can readily find copies of Little Women at your local neighborhood library, or you can read it online at: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AlcLitt.html
The Board and Staff of The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
Wish You All a Delight-filled Holiday Season and Joyous New Year!
M.T. Anderson Natalie Babbitt
Mary Brigid Barrett
Susan Cooper
Geri Eddins Carol Greenwald
Nikki Grimes Steven Kellogg
Mary Kemper Stephanie Loer
Louis Laste
David Macaulay
Patricia MacLachlan
Patricia and Fredrick McKissack
Gregory Maguire
Grant Oliphant
Linda Sue Park Katherine Paterson
Elizabeth Rock and Sarah T.Truslow
We invite you read aloud and share books and family stories with your loved ones this holiday season! You can find a great version of The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens on the Library of Congress READ.gov website, as well as many family classics!
