Sneak Peek: Episode 20 Goes Live Friday, June 18th

Latest Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episode Written by Steven Kellogg

In our last episode of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure 19, by Shannon Hale, our heroes found Genius Kelly, the pig, beneath a chestnut tree. Their delight was short-lived. The wolf attacked and Nancy killed it, releasing the eggy being inside who signaled his fellow aliens. Joe, Nancy, and Roberta realized that her robot legs were still running through time. The three of them formed a human (and robot) chain to grab them while Hathi, Sybil, and Genius Kelly prepared for the attacking aliens. The legs appeared, the three tackled them, and Roberta snapped them on. Unfortunately, the chaos of capturing the legs threw Joe, Nancy, and Roberta into a different time dimension. One without Hathi, Sybil, and Genius Kelly.

In Episode 20 by Steven Kellogg, what happens to Leonardo Dubenski, the evilest villain in all of Villiandom? Who saves Hathi, Sybil, and Genius Kelly, the pig? What is he traveling in? Where are Nancy, Joe, and Roberta?

Read the Episode and see Timothy Basil Ering's colorful and fun illustrations at Read.gov!

Steven Kellogg has written and illustrated over one hundred picture books. His love of drawing began at a young age where he entertained his sisters with, "Telling stories on paper." He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Irma Simonton Black Award, the IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award, the Parents' Choice Award, inclusion on the ALA Notable Books lists, Booklist Editor's Choice, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, the Horn Book Fanfare, and the list of Reading Rainbow featured selections. Episode 11 of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is illustrated by Steven.

Be sure to check for Steven's books at your favorite library and bookstore. Especially his Pinkerton series based on his own Great Dane! To learn more about Steven and his work, visit his website.

Timothy Basil Ering is an author and illustrator. He says, "I always think of illustration as a form of acting. Each time I approach a project, I need to become the character I'm depicting. And then I have to choose the appropriate medium that will allow me to speak the voice." You can see more of Timothy's wonderful illustrations for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure in Episode 4, Episode 8, Episode 12, and Episode 16.

Some of Timothy's works include:

Visit Timothy's website for  more information on his books and illustrations.

ENJOY THE EPISODE!

Looking for Summertime Fun?

Visit The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts

The Eric Carle Museum is not your typical museum filled with landscapes and portraits. The walls of this unique and fun place are covered with illustrations from some of the most loved and colorful picture book art from around the world.

Founded by award winning author, Eric Carle, best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the museum's goal is twofold. To introduce children and their families to picture book art and in doing so, increase literacy.

Plan to spend a few hours or the whole day exploring the galleries of Eric Carle's work, themed exhibits, and the exciting process of first sketches to final prints of individual artists. Special events like ballets based on picture books, lectures, and movies are shown in the auditorium so be sure to check it out.

The Art Studio is a must. Free materials and guided programs allow children (and adults) to let their imaginations go wild and try their hand at art. Who knows maybe a future illustrator is hiding inside your child!

For a much needed rest after all the activities, head to the museum's library where you'll find over 3,000 books. Share a quiet moment reading or settle in for story time.

Hungry? The Cafe serves healthy snacks and meals. And don't forget the museum's signature Caterpillar Cookie. Yum!

End the day visiting the Museum Shop for books, art supplies, toys, and more.

The Eric Carle Museum is a family outing that is fun and educational!

ENJOY!

NCBLA Recommends: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Announced!

Direct to you from the fabulous 

 

The 2010 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

Here they are:
Fiction: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books)
Honor books: The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan; illustrated by Peter Sís (Scholastic)
A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner (Greenwillow)

Nonfiction: Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge (Viking)
Honor Books: Anne Frank: Her Life in Words and Pictures by Menno Metselaar and Ruud van der Rol (Roaring Brook/Flash Point)
Smile by Reina Telgemeier (Scholastic/Graphix)

Picture Books: I Know Here by Laurel Croza; illustrated by Matt James (Groundwood)
Honor Books: The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown)
It's a Secret! by John Burningham (Candlewick)

The judges were Martha Parravano of the Horn Book; NYTBR Children's Books editor Julie Just; and novelist Gregory Maguire. The complete announcement can be found here.

The Library of Congress and The National Childrens' Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) Have Great News to Share!!!

The 
NCBLA is 
Thrilled to Announce!

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has provided audio recordings for all the episodes of "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure," the rollicking episodic story available exclusively at Read.gov. These podcasts enhance the accessibility of this story, which is being created by some of America’s finest writers and illustrators for young people. Read.gov is a website of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Read more about it at: http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2010/10-129.html 
and at:  http://read.gov/exquisite-corpse/

Sneak Peek: Episode 19 Goes Live Friday, June 4th

Latest Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episode Written by Shannon Hale

In our last episode of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure 18 by Gregory Maguire, our group discovered that the light was a regional meeting of the evil aliens who were trying to do them in. Out of their hideous costumes, the aliens appeared like floating half-cooked poached eggs. Their prisoner, a flickering hologram of Genius Kelly, the pig, revealed that the memory they sought was not an object, but the bond between their heart and mind. The hologram also provided a clue as to the whereabouts of another piece of Roberta.

In Episode 19 by Shannon Hale, who do our heroes see under the chestnut tree? What happens to Hathi, Sybil, and Genius Kelly, the pig? What about Roberta's legs?

Read the Episode and see Calef Brown's colorful and fun illustrations at Read.Gov!

A crop of Calef's Episode 19 illustration appears at top right.

Newbery Honor winner and New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale writes for teens and adults. Her children's books include a series, standalone books, and graphic novels. The graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge was selected by Al Roker of the NBC Today show for his Book Club for Kids.

Be sure to check for Shannon's books at your favorite library and bookstore.  To learn more about Shannon Hale, visit her website.

Calef Brown is an author and award-winning illustrator. Some of his own works include fun titles like Polkabats and Octopus Slacks and Dutch Sneakers and Fleakeepers. His works have also appeared in numerous magazines including Time, Newsweek, and The New Yorker. You can see more of Calef's colorful illustrations for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure in Episode 3, Episode 7, and Episode 15.


Visit Calef's website for more information on his books and illustrations!

ENJOY THE EPISODE!

The NCBLA Recommends: Tell Congress Our Children's Education is a Priority!

RALLY FOR OUR 

NATION'S LIBRARIES AT 

THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL TUESDAY, JUNE 29TH!

RALLY FOR OUR KIDS! 

 

 

EVERY KID IN AMERICAN NEEDS a LIBRARY in THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD and in THEIR SCHOOL! 

EVERY KID in AMERICA NEEDS ACCESS to BOOKS and TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL GIVE THEM the TOOLS to ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS!

Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Librarians, Civic Leaders, Youth Mentors--Bring your children to the United States Capitol grounds in Washington DC on  Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 11 a.m! 


Join The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance and the American Library Association and SHOW YOUR SUPPORT for OUR KIDS' EDUCATION and OUR NATION'S SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES!

For generations, America's children have walked to their own neighborhood public libraries to find not only the books and information they need to learn and grow, but in libraries they have also found music, movies, and magazines; technology access; passes to museums; literacy tutoring; teen employment information; book and reading clubs; live performances; story hours; art and photography exhibits; civic information; teen voting registration information; and so much more! And most importantly, our children and teens found, in libraries, safe havens filled with caring adults eager to help them along their journey to adulthood and responsible citizenship. 

Our children and teens are now losing what generations have long taken for granted--neighborhood libraries, the heart and mind centers of our communities. Libraries across America are laying off valuable staff, closing neighborhood branches, drastically reducing hours of operation, and drastically reducing new book, media,and technology purchases--all at a time when our kids and families need library services more than ever!

The NCBLA is going to Washington, so come to Washington, too, and tell Congress how you feel! And wear RED to the Rally in support of our nation's libraries!

 
Wear READ shirts! 

Wear READ pants!







Wear READ shoes! 

Wear READ caps!

Wear anything RED/READ you can find and bring flags of  

red, white, and blue! 

To find out more about the National Rally for Libraries, go to: 

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/index.cfm

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/faq/index.cfm

http://annual.ala.org/2010/index.php?title=Directions_to_the_Rally

Interview with Exquisite Corpse Authors and Illustrators!

Meet Illustrator James Ransome:
Contributor to the NCBLA's  Exquisite Corpse Adventure!

James Ransome's colorful and delightful illustrations can be found in Episode 2, Episode 6, Episode 10, Episode 14, and Episode 18.

We lured James away from his oils, acrylics, and watercolors to ask him a few questions:

Q-What did you find to be the most challenging aspect of illustrating an episode for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure?

A-"The most challenging part was making sure the characters looked as they were described in the text. My biggest fear is that someone will write something about a character in episode 4 for example, I'd be asked to illustrate episode 10, and I'd miss some important detail that was written about in episode 4."


Q-What were some of your favorite books when you were in elementary school?
A-"There was not a large emphasis on children's books when I was growing up. One of my favorites from those I was introduced to was A Fly Went By, part of the Dr. Seuss series. I also enjoyed stories from a set of encyclopedias that we had in the house. They had one entire book with a collection of stories."


Q-What are you working on now? Do you have a new book coming out this year?
A-"I'm currently working on the illustrations for a book I've written entitled: New Red Bike.


I have two books coming out in the fall: A Joyful Christmas, stories, poems, and songs of Christmas which I collected and illustrated and Gunner, a Football Hero, the first book I've written and illustrated.
 
Baby Blessings is my most recent book."


James Ransome's wonderful illustrations have garnered him numerous awards and accolades from the world of children's literature. Be sure to look for his books at your library or local book store.

To see more of James Ransome's illustrations and information, visit James' website.







Related Topic: What is The Exquisite Corpse Adventure?

For those not in the know, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a series of episodes written and illustrated by famous children's authors and illustrators. Each author and illustrator inherits the story from the previous folks. It's like taking over a recipe in the middle, you need to understand what's gone into the stew so far and then add your own ingredients to make it hot and spicy! To catch up on all the exciting episodes go to Read.gov.

And parents, teachers, and librarians be sure to check out the NCBLA's Exquisite Corpse Adventure Educational Resources Center for great ideas on how to turn the Exquisite Corpse Adventure into a great educational adventure!

Check it out!

At www.ourwhitehouse.org find out more about White House Dinners and Entertainments!

In "A Taste of the Past: White House Kitchens, Menus, and Recipes" at 

WWW.OURWHITEHOUSE.ORG 

Find Out More About White House State Dinners, Food, and Entertainment! 

 

 

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at last night's state dinner at the White House.

 

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nance Reagan with Great Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Dennis Thatcher in 1988

President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with French Cultural Minister Andre Malraux and Marie-Madeleine Lioux Malraux in 1962.   

Eisenhower State Dinner circa 1959

President Theodore Roosevelt State Dining Room 1904- notice the large moose head over the fireplace!

Read more about White House menus and food at: http://www.ourwhitehouse.org/tasteofpast.html

And as for the NCBLA's award-winning book for families, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out at your neighborhood library or bookstore!

In Our White House, the book and the website, you will find poetry, stories, great art, and fascinating facts about our presidents, their families, their pets, and our White House, as well as great stories about American History. The NCBLA created Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out and its companion educational website, www.ourwhitehouse.org as a nonpartisan project to promote literacy and historical literacy!

Sneak Peek: Episode 18 Goes Live Friday, May 21st!

Latest Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episode Written by Gregory Maguire

In our last episode of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure 17, by Susan Cooper, the shadow in the doorway turned out to be Hathi, the elephant, Nancy and Joe's adopted mother. Boy were they happy to see her! Roberta, our disassembled robot, found more of her missing pieces-her heart and brain. Unfortunately, the chimney leg introduced in Episode 15 was not hers, but made of gingerbread. Rats! Once aboard Hathi's back, they were reunited with Sybil Hunch, the misfortunate-teller. Her crystal ball revealed events from the past as Hathi plodded away from the gingerbread house. The episode ended when the group saw a blaze of light. "What's that?" Nancy asked. "I have no idea," said Sybil Hunch. "Which is a very good sign."

In Episode 18 by Gregory Maguire, the group finds the light. What is it? Whose regional conference is it? What are the eggy-like things floating around? What key piece of the adventure is explained?

Read the Episode and see James Ransome's colorful and fun illustrations at Read.gov!


Gregory Maguire has written six adult novels and more than a dozen children's books. One adult novel, Wicked, became a Broadway play and one of his children's books, Confession of an Ugly Stepsister, into a Disney movie. Gregory is co-founder and co-director of Children's Literature New England Inc., an educational charity whose mission is to raise public awareness of the significance of literature in the lives of children.

Be sure to check for Gregory's books at your favorite library and bookstore.

To learn more about Gregory Maguire, visit his website.

Award winning illustrator and author, James Ransome was named by The Children's Book Council as one of the 75 authors and illustrators everyone should know. His works have appeared on Reading Rainbow and PBS's storytime. You can find examples of James' vibrant illustrations in Episode 2, Episode 6, Episode 10, and Episode 14.

Some if James' works include:

Visit James' website for more information on his books and illustrations.

ENJOY THE EPISODE!

NCBLA Interviews Author Melissa Stewart!

Interview with nonfiction writer Melissa Stewart

Award winning author Melissa Stewart shares the intrigue, fascination, and beauty of the natural world in her over 100 nonfiction books for young readers. Her books teach us why animals are blue, red, or purple; why birds fly, plants breathe, or chameleons change color. Each one is an exciting adventure into nature.

We coaxed Melissa in from the great outdoors to answer a few questions:

Q-What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing nonfiction?
"When I'm writing a creative nonfiction manuscript, I always struggle with the structure. How can I bring the topic vividly to life in a way that is fresh and dynamic? My goal is always to delight as well as inform young readers. Sometimes I spend months thinking about it until one day, out of the blue, the solution just pops into my head.

For my book, Under the Snow (Peachtree, 2009), I had the "aha" moment while driving home from a Foundation of Children's Books program at Boston College that featured author-illustrator Timothy Basil Ering. Tim's presentation was so exciting, so inspiring that it put my mind in a whole different place, and finally, all the puzzle pieces I'd been wrestling with for months just fell into place.

I started a new draft of the manuscript as soon as I got home, and I didn't stop until 3:00 a.m. when I had a solid draft that I knew would work. After that, it was just a matter of revising lightly here and there."

Q-What were some of your favorite books when you were in elementary school?

"I was a reluctant reader as a child. But then a very smart librarian, Mrs. Freeborn, gave me a copy of Mr. Mysterious & Company by Sid Fleischman. The book's combination of intriguing setting and quirky characters fascinated me. After I read the last page, I turned right back to page 1 and started reading it again. I checked that book out of the library so many times that Mrs. Freeborn finally gave it to me, and I still have it today.

In 2006, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fleischman and telling him that his book turned me into a reader. It was a magical moment for both of us."

Q-What are you working on now? Do you have a new book coming out this year?

"My newest book, A Place for Frogs, came out April 1. The first book signing was in Chicago at the International Reading Association conference. It was very special because the book's illustrator, Higgins Bond, was there too. I live in Massachusetts, and Higgins live in Tennessee so we don't see each other very often.

A Place for Frogs is our third book together. Right now, she's illustrating our fourth book and I'm writing our fifth. It's been a great partnership."

Be sure to check out Melissa's books at your library or local bookstore.

 For more information on Melissa and her books, visit her website.

Congratulations Mystery Author Contest Winner!

Will Rogers Middle School
in Lawndale, CA
Wins The Exquisite Corpse Adventure
Mystery Author Contest

The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance extends its best wishes and congratulations to Ms. Ashley Nichols-Lampkin, the Library Media Clerk at Will Rogers Middle School in Lawndale, California, for implementing The Exquisite Corpse Adventure Mystery Author Contest in the school's library. Ms. Nichols-Lampkin learned about the contest while perusing the AdLit.org website and decided it was a perfect  opportunity to help "grab the attention of students." The library keeps The Exquisite Corpse Adventure  displayed on its computers for students to read, and so Ms. Nichols-Lampkin invited students to play the contest by submitting entries in a Mystery Box that she placed on her desk.

As the winner of the contest, the Will Rogers Middle School Library will receive a collection of  books valued at over $600 from the NCBLA!

THANK YOU to ALL Our Mystery Author Contest Entrants!
The NCBLA would like to thank all our Exquisite Corpse Adventure readers across the country who played Twenty Questions to help guess the identity of our Team Corpse Mystery Author, Jack Gantos! We also thank our partner in literacy, Adlit.org, who helped promote the contest and also devoted space on their website for contest clues and information.

Be sure to check out the most recent Exquisite Corpse Adventure Exquisite Prompt Challenge writing prompts on both AdLit.org and ReadingRockets.org. This month's prompts are inspired by Team Corpse members Lemony Snicket and Steven Kellogg!

And keep reading--or listening to!--the latest adventures of Nancy and Joe in The Exquisite Corpse Adventure as we publish a new riveting episode every two weeks on Read.Gov. Don't miss out on the most recent episode, "Speak, Memory" penned by Susan Cooper and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.

And teachers, librarians, parents, and homeschoolers, be sure sure to maximize the educational impact of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure by checking out the extensive educational materials available on the NCBLA's companion education site for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, which include recommended reading lists, classroom activities, art appreciation articles, and discussion questions customized for each and every episode!