Use "Our White House" Book and Website to Connect Kids with Current Events

Our White House Resources Illuminate Presidential Campaigns of the Past and Connect Kids with Politics Today

National news is alive with the daily coverage of the Republican presidential candidates' speeches and debates and the analysis of President Obama's prospects for reelection. To help kids learn more about our country's rich history of presidential politics, campaigns, and elections, check out the NCBLA's award-winning anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out!

Have you ever wondered why so many presidents have come from Ohio? So has Natalie Babbitt, and you can read her essay "Seven from Ohio" in Our White House.  You can also share the story of how President Hoover's inaction following the stock market crash of 1929 prevented him from being elected to serve another term in Matt Phelan's poignant comic strip, "Hoover's One Term." Marvel at Calef Brown's painting "Freedom of Speech" and discuss the impact of this freedom on our presidential campaigns with the young people in your life. And read Rocket Boys author Homer Hickam's account of meeting John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail in "The White House, the Moon, and a Coal Miner's Son."

On the companion educational site OurWhiteHouse.org, you can learn how long it took to expand the right to vote in "Who Gets to Vote?" and discover how the electoral college works in "Getting the Votes and Getting Elected: The Popular Vote vs. the Electoral College." Have fun reading about the original campaign "button" in "From Buttons to Pins: Campaign Tokens Evolve." And PARENTS, be sure to read "Presidential Debates: Watch the Debates with Your Kids and Teens" for helpful hints before next week's Republican debate!

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out is a masterpiece of poetry and prose, art and photography, created by over 100 of America's most gifted storytellers and artists as a project of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance designed to encourage young people to read more about America’s rich history and culture; to think more about America’s future; to talk more about our nation’s leadership; and to act on their own beliefs and convictions, ensuring this great democratic experiment will survive and thrive. Our White House is available in both paperback and hardcover from Candlewick Press.

Ask for Our White House at a library or bookstore near you!

In Case You Missed It!

President Obama Encourages Americans to Celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month

“We must recognize the contributions of the arts and humanities not only by supporting the artists of today, but also by giving opportunities to the creative thinkers of tomorrow. Educators across our country are opening young minds, fostering innovation, and developing imaginations through arts education. Through their work, they are empowering our Nation's students with the ability to meet the challenges of a global marketplace." - President Obama

Since 1993, the country has celebrated October as National Arts and Humanities Month. This national celebration connects artists with their neighbors and opens the doors of cultural organizations to their communities, welcoming young and old to experience and participate in the arts and humanities. Book festivals, poetry readings, theater, dance, mural paintings, lectures and discussions and musical performance are among the many events that will showcase the arts and humanities this month.

Click here to read the entire article.

In Case You Missed It!

Sesame Workshop Premiers TV Special to Raise Awareness of Family Hunger

New Sesame Street Muppet Lily Introduced

PBS stations across the country premiered the one hour television special Growing Hope Against Hunger yesterday, which portrays families’ personal stories to raise awareness of the widespread issue of hunger in the United States, as well as strategies that have helped these families find resources and grow stronger together. Growing Hope Against Hunger also introduces a new Muppet named Lily whose family has an ongoing struggle with hunger.

A Spanish version of the special will air October 22 at 1 PM ET/PT on Univision and on October 23 at 1 PM ET/PT on Telefutura.  Growing Hope Against Hunger will also be aired on other dates in October. Click here for the broadcast schedule. 

“Food insecurity is a growing and difficult issue for adults to discuss, much less children,” said Brad and Kimberly Paisley. “We are honored that Sesame Street, with its long history of tackling difficult issues with sensitivity, caring and warmth asked us to be a part of this important project. We hope that it will not only provide families with the tools they need to help them cope and live the healthiest life possible, but will educate the general population about the extent of food insecurity and hunger in the United States.” 

The Sesame Workshop website notes that families facing food insecurity is a growing issue in the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that 17 million American children — nearly 1 in 4 — have limited or uncertain access to affordable and nutritious food. Of these children, more than half (9.6 million) are under the age of 6.

To see video highlights from the special, click here.

To learn more about this very special programming project, click here.

SAVE THE DATE! "Exquisite Converstation" Program to be Held December 3

The Exquisite Conversation:
An Adventure in Creating Books!

starring

Katherine Paterson

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

M. T. Anderson    +    Natalie Babbitt

Susan Cooper     +   Timothy Basil Ering

Steven Kellogg    +   Patricia MacLachlan

James Ransome

The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and the Cambridge Public Library are thrilled to announce our special program “The Exquisite Conversation: An Adventure in Creating Books,” to be held Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 PM in the Kresge Auditorium at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

We invite you to join us for this lively and informative event to discuss the NCBLA's newly published book, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure (Candlewick Press), as a springboard to a broader discussion about the writing and illustration processes employed by each of the program's participants in their own individual works.  

The program will feature renowned authors and illustrators for young people M.T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Susan Cooper, Timothy Basil Ering, Steven Kellogg, Patricia MacLachlan, Katherine Paterson, and James Ransome in a roundtable discussion moderated by Mary Brigid Barrett, Executive Director of The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.

The program is free and open to the public. The suggested audience includes young people (ages 10 and above) and adults who love children’s books.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a new paperback for a child or teen to donate as a holiday gift to children and young adults in family shelters in Cambridge.

Books will be sold by Porter Square Books before and after the presentation. Autographing will follow the presentation.

Wine and Cheese Reception with the Authors and Special Guests!

We also invite you to meet each of the participating authors and illustrators at a ticketed, adults-only Wine and Cheese Reception to take place in Room 307 of the Stratton Center from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. The reception will include a Book Basket Raffle and Silent Auction.

A limited number of tickets are available for the reception. Don't miss out! Order your tickets today!

For complete information about the "Exquisite Conversation" program and reception, including ticket purchases, click here.

What Is The Exquisite Corpse Adventure?

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a progressive story game originally published on the Library of Congress' Read.gov website as the foundation of a national reading and writing initiative, created by The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is now available in paperback and hardback from Candlewick Press. It is also available on audio.

To learn more about The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, click here.

To check out the NCBLA's extensive online educational resources that support The Exquisite Corpse Adventure (including supplemental articles, classroom activities, reading lists, art activities, discussion questions, and more!), click here.

And, to check out the Exquisite Prompt Redux Writing Challenge for students in grades K-12 from Reading Rockets and AdLit.org, click here!

Ask for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure at a bookstore or library near you!

ACTIVIST ALERT!

Funding for School Libraries Is in Jeopardy

Your Support Is Needed for SKILLS Act

Please call both of your U.S. senators at the capitol switchboard, 202-224-3121, and ask them to co-sponsor S. 1328 the “Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries Act,” also known as the SKILLs Act.

The SKILLs Act was introduced on July 6 by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) and will amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by:

• Ensuring that funds will serve school libraries in elementary, middle, and high schools;
• Improving literacy and college and career readiness through effective school library programs;
• Encouraging coordination and shared planning time among school librarians and classroom teachers;
• Expanding professional development to include digital literacy instruction that is appropriate for all grade levels, an assessment of student literacy needs, the coordination of reading and writing instruction across content areas, and training in literacy strategies in all content areas;
• Requiring books and materials to be appropriate for students in all grade levels and students with special learning needs, including English language learners;
• Providing grants on a competitive basis for a period of three years;
• Targeting funding to school districts with 20% or greater levels of students in poverty;
• Ensuring an equitable distribution of funds among the different geographic regions of the country and among urban and rural areas; and
• Requiring greater coordination among other literacy, technology, and professional development funds and activities.

This legislation is critical to the future of school libraries. Please call today and encourage your colleagues, neighbors, friends, family, and others to do the same.  Click here to quickly find information for your two senators.

As of October 3, the following senators have agreed to co-sponsor the bill:  

Jack Reed (D-RI)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
John Kerry (D-MA)

For more information about how you can support literacy and libraries, please visit the NCBLA's "Become an Activist" page.

In Case You Missed It!

Publishers Weekly Celebrates Success of
2011 National Book Festival
with Photo Essay Featuring
Children's Book Authors and Illustrators

In the piece titled "Children's Books at the 2011 National Book Festival: A Photo-Essay," John A. Sellers writes:

"With a theme of 'Celebrating the Joys of Reading Aloud,' the 11th annual National Book Festival took place this past weekend, September 24 and 25, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., marking the first time the festival was spread over two days. An estimated crowd of 200,000 turned out to attend presentations and have books signed by more than 100 authors; children’s book authors in attendance included Katherine Paterson, Brian Selznick, Kadir Nelson, Tomie dePaola, Gary Schmidt, Jack Gantos, Cassandra Clare, Shelia P. Moses, and Susan Cooper. 

Click here to view the complete photo tour of the country’s preeminent festival of books.

Photo at top right of  Sarah Dessen (What Happened to Goodbye) and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Katherine Paterson on the National Mall. Photo by John A. Sellers.

DC Students Meet "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" Authors and Illustrators

Library Event Features
Exquisite Corpse Contributors
Calef Brown, Jack Gantos, Patricia McKissack, Chris Van Dusen, and National Ambassador for Young People Katherine Paterson

Students at Walker-Jones Elementary School in Washington D.C., like many students across the country, are learning about the contributors of  The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, a progressive story game played by 20 of America's most celebrated authors and illustrators for young people.  But in celebration of this year's National Book Festival, five of the book's contributors demonstrated how the story came to life at a workshop hosted by the DC Public Library last Friday. 

An interactive and entertaining workshop at the Northwest One Neighborhood Library featured some of the nation’s most-popular children’s authors and illustrators, including National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Katherine Paterson; Jack Gantos; Patricia McKissack; and illustrators Chris Van Dusen and Calef Brown.  Moderating the discussion with the young people in attendance was Mary Brigid Barrett, also a children's book author and illustrator and founder and president of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance.

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure was originally published on the Library of Congress' website Read.gov as a joint project of the NCBLA and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and is now available in paperback and hardback from Candlewick Press. The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is also available on audio. 

All photos by George A. Williams of the DC Public Library.
From top are:
Photo 1: Mary Brigid Barrett, Jack Gantos, Patricia McKissack,  Calef Brown, Katherine Paterson, and Chris Van Dusen. Photo 2:  Katherine Paterson and Mary Brigid Barrett. Photo 3: Calef Brown. Photo 4: Jack Gantos.
 

Extensive Resources Available for Using The Exquisite Corpse Adventure in the Classroom, Library, and Home

The Exquisite Prompt Redux Writing Challenge from Reading Rockets and AdLit.org provides writing opportunities for students in grades K-12. Learn more at ReadingRockets.org. 

 

Extensive online educational support materials for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure are available on the NCBLA’s Exquisite Corpse Adventure Education Resource Center. Overflowing with supplemental articles, classroom activities, reading lists, art activities, discussion questions, and more, the Education Resource Center is designed for all adults who live and work with young people and have a vested interest in helping kids read more, write better, and create stories and art that expand our universe.

Ask for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure at a bookstore or library near you!

Just Announced! NEW "Exquisite Corpse" Writing Contest from Reading Rockets and AdLit.org!

Teachers, Librarians, Parents, and Students!

Check Out the
Exquisite Prompt Redux Contest

To celebrate the publication of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure (from Candlewick Press in hardcover and paperback. Also available on audio.), Reading Rockets and AdLit.org are reviving their 2010 Exquisite Prompt writing contest in exquisite corpse fashion. This year's writing prompts are inspired by winning student entries from the 2010 contest!

This year's challenge invites you to write the ending to a cliffhanger, a review of a magical object purchased from The Fairy Tale Catalog, a poem in the voice of the Whinoceros, or the adventures of two time travelers!

How to Enter

1. Visit ReadingRockets.org and click on the REDUX link.
2. Find your grade level. All students in grades K-12 can enter!
3. Review the prompt for your grade level.
4. Jump start your imagination and START WRITING!
5. Submit your entry by email no later than November 30. Find the complete rules and submission guidelines on ReadingRockets.org.

Prizes!

Prizes for winning entries include online publication on ReadingRockets.org and collections of books, including at least one autographed title.

What Is The Exquisite Corpse Adventure?

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a progressive story game originally published on the Library of Congress' Read.gov website as the foundation of a national reading and writing initiative, created by The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Click here to learn more.

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure contributors are:  M.T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Calef Brown, Susan Cooper, Kate DiCamillo, Timothy Basil Ering, Jack Gantos, Nikki Grimes, Shannon Hale, Lemony Snicket, Steven Kellogg, Gregory Maguire, Megan McDonald, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Paterson, James Ransome, Jon Scieszka, and Chris Van Dusen. 

Extensive Educational Resources Available!

Discover a treasure trove of online educational support materials for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure on the NCBLA’s Exquisite Corpse Adventure Education Resource Center. Overflowing with supplemental articles, classroom activities, reading lists, art activities, discussion questions, and more, the Education Resource Center is designed for moms and dads, teachers and librarians, grandparents and guardians—all adults who live and work with young people and have a vested interest in helping kids read more, write better, and create stories and art that expand our universe.

Ask for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure at a bookstore or library near you!

To order The Exquisite Corpse Adventure from the bookseller of your choice, click here.

2011 National Book Festival Another Smashing Success with Book Lovers!

Thousands Gather on National Mall to Celebrate the Love of Books at This Year's National Book Festival!

Exquisite Corpse Adventure Authors and Illustrators Mesmerize Kids in Opening Children's Event!

This past weekend marked the eleventh annual celebration of reading and books known as the National Book Festival, an event attended by Americans of all ages from across the country. Once again opening Saturday's events in the Children's Pavilion were authors and illustrators from the NCBLA's national reading and writing initiative known as The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, a progressive story game originally published on the Library of Congress' Read.Gov website and published last month in paperback and hardcover by Candlewick Press.

Performing a dramatic reading of excerpts from The Exquisite Corpse Adventure were the exceptional talents of Mary Brigid Barrett, Calef Brown, Susan Cooper, Jack Gantos, Gregory Maguire, Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack, Chris Van Dusen, and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Katherine Paterson!

Be sure to check our blog and NCBLA facebook page regularly to find the link to the LOC's webcast of this exquisite performance, to be posted in October.

Read all about this year's festivities in the School Library Journal article "More than 200,000 Book Lovers Attend DC National Book Festival" by Rocco Staino, Contributing Editor. More information is available in the news article "An Estimated 200,000 Attend the Library of Congress' 2011 National Book Festival." 

All photos above by Rocco Staino. Pictured from top are: Photo 1: Pat and Fred McKissack, Photo 2: Susan Cooper and Gregory Maguire, Photo 3: Chris Van Dusen, Photo 4: Calef Brown and Jack Gantos. 

Ask for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure at a bookstore or library near you!

Check out the NCBLA's extensive educational resources for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, which include supplemental articles, classroom activities, reading lists, art activities, discussion questions, and more, on our Education Resource Center.

To purchase a copy from the bookseller of your choice, click here.

COUNTDOWN to the National Book Festival!

Exquisite Corpse Adventure Authors and Illustrators to Open National Book Festival in the Children's Pavilion THIS Saturday, September 24, at 10:00 AM

STARRING

Mary Brigid Barrett, Calef Brown, 

Susan Cooper, Jack Gantos, Gregory Maguire, Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack,
Chris Van Dusen, AND
National Ambassador
for Young People's Literature
Katherine Paterson!

 

The National Book Festival is an annual event  organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress. This year's festival will be held TWO days:
Saturday, September 24
from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and Sunday, September 25
from 1 to 5:30 PM. The festival is FREE and open to the public.

The NCBLA invites book lovers of all ages to join us for our dramatic reading of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure at 10:00 AM Saturday in the Children's Pavilion, located on the National Mall east of 12th Street, just north of the Smithsonian Castle.

 

Meet Exquisite Corpse Presentation Authors and Illustrators!

Following the Exquisite Corpse presentation, you can meet your favorite authors and illustrators and learn more about their other amazing books at their solo presentations and autographing sessions throughout Saturday and Sunday!

Mary Brigid Barrett is signing her picture book Shoebox Sam Saturday at 11:30 AM. 

Calef Brown presents his book, Boy Wonders, Saturday at 12:05 PM in the Children’s Pavilion. His autographing session is Saturday at 1:30.

Susan Cooper presents her book series, The Dark Is Rising, Sunday at 1:00 PM in the Teens Pavilion. Her autographing session is Sunday at 3:30.

Jack Gantos presents his book, Dead End in Norvelt, Saturday at 12:45 PM in the Teens Pavilion. His autographing session is Saturday at 2:30.

Gregory Maguire presents his book, Out of Oz: The Final Volume in the Wicked Years, Saturday at 11:50 AM in the Fiction & Mystery Pavilion. His autographing session is Saturday at 1:00.

Patricia C. McKissack presents her book, co-authored with
Fredrick L. McKissack and John McKissack, Cyborg: The Second Book of The Clone Codes, Sunday at 3:45 PM in the Teens Pavilion. Pat and Fred are autographing Sunday at 2:00.

Katherine Paterson presents her book, The Flint Heart, Saturday at 11:50 AM in the Teens Pavilion. Her autographing session is Saturday at 1:00.

Chris Van Dusen presents his book, King Hugo’s Huge Ego, Saturday at 1:00 PM in the Children’s Pavilion. His autographing session is Saturday at 2:30.

Learn More!

To learn more about the national reading and writing outreach initiative The Exquisite Corpse Adventure and the NCBLA's companion educational resource site, click here!  

For complete information about the National Book Festival, including a schedule, site map, and a list of all participating authors, click here!