Children's Literature Festivals Scheduled in September and October

Princeton Children's Book Festival to be Held Saturday, September 10

The Princeton Children's Book Festival is an annual event each September at the Princeton Public Library and the Albert E. Hinds Memorial Plaza located at 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, New Jersey. The Festival will be held Saturday, September 10, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Princeton Children's Book Festival is a celebration of the love of libraries and books that allows participants to meet authors and illustrators, listen to author discussions, and have books autographed.

Some of the participating authors and illustrators include: Cyn Balog, Lindsay Barrett George, John Bemelmans Marciano, Becky Birtha, Sophie Blackall, R. Gregory Christie, Brian Floca, Brett Helquist, and Dan Yaccarino.

Click here to see the complete list of participants and learn more about the Princeton Children's Book Festival. 

Keene State College Children's Literature Festival to be Held Saturday, October 22

The Keene State College Children's Literature Festival is an annual, one-day Saturday event held on the campus of Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. 

This long-running festival was initiated in 1978 and provides the opportunity for participants to meet and talk with widely recognized authors and illustrators of books for young people; have lunch with fellow teachers, librarians, and children's literature enthusiasts; and view the extensive collection of artwork in the Festival Gallery, which includes over 200 working drawings, finished illustrations, and the 102 Festival owl illustrations. Over 180 illustrators have work in this gallery.

Each year five speakers give a one-hour presentation. Presenting this year are: Harry Bliss, Bryan Collier, Melissa Sweet, E. B. Lewis, and David Wiesner.

Click here to learn more about this year's speakers and to register. 

In Case You Missed It!

Author Robert Lipsyte Examines the Decline in Boys as Readers in New York Times Essay

In the New York Times essay "Boys and Reading: Is There Any Hope?," Robert Lipsyte writes:

To me and I think to many prospective readers, today’s books for boys — supernatural space-and-sword epics that read like video game manuals and sports novels with preachy moral messages — often seem like cynical appeals to the lowest common denominator. Boys prefer video games and ESPN to book versions of them. These knockoffs also lack the tough, edgy story lines that allow boys a private place to reflect on the inner fears of failure and humiliation they try so hard to brush over. Editors who ask writers of books for boys to include girl characters — for commercial reasons — further blunt the edges. 

Read the entire essay here on the New York Times website.   

Robert Lipsyte received the 2001 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for lifetime contribution to young adult literature. His most recent Y.A. novel is “Center Field.” His memoir, “An Accidental Sportswriter,” was published in May. Learn more about Robert Lipsyte and his books on his website.

Coming TOMORROW to a Library and Bookstore Near You!

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure
A Progressive Story Game Played by
20 Celebrated Authors and Illustrators

It all starts with a train rushing through the night. . . . Well, actually, it starts when Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, writes a cliff-hanger episode and passes it on to the next member of a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who continues the story and passes it on.

A collaboration between the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure originated as a national literacy outreach project for young people and helped launch the READ.gov website. 

 

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure has been published in hardcover, paperback, and audio formats by Candlewick Press. Read more about this innovative national reading and writing outreach project on The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance website. 

“First run in installments on the Web, the pro bono project shifts tone and atmosphere with the author, from Lemony Snicket to Natalie Babbitt, from Linda Sue Park to Nikki Grimes, from Jon Scieszka to Jack Gantos—and who would have guessed that Katherine Paterson would be such a dab hand at egg puns?—but never goes off on self-indulgent tangents.” –Kirkus Reviews

What Do Contributors Say About Their Experiences Writing and Illustrating The Exquisite Corpse?

Author and illustrator Steven Kellogg has loved children's books since he was a child and was always drawn to stories about animals. The prolific author says this about the challenge of writing for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, "The most challenging aspect of creating episodes for the ECA was choosing which characters and plot directions to concentrate on during the time that I was advancing the story, and then deciding how to conclude my segment with an intriguing detail that would propel both the readers and the waiting author into the next phase." Steven Kellogg is the author and illustrator of such books as the Pinkerton series, tall tales Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed, and The Pied Piper's Magic. Kellogg most recently illustrated Clorinda Plays Baseball (written by Robert Kinerk), which will be published early next year. Learn more about Steven's books on his  website.

 

Here is what Newbery medal winner Kate DiCamillo says about her experience writing two episodes for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, "I'm kind of a control freak, and writing with a bunch of other people means relinquishing control. But you know what? The most challenging thing was also the best thing. There is freedom in being part of something larger. I had such a good time."

Kate DiCamillo is the author of Because of Winn Dixie, The Magician's Elephant, Bink & Gollie, The Tale of Despereaux, and the Mercy Watson series illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Learn more about Kate's books on her website.

 

Award-winning author Shannon Hale  writes for young adults and adults. She began writing at age 10 and has never looked back.   

She says this about writing for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, "It's so hard to write your episode without knowing where the story will go. When writing my own book, I can rewrite the whole thing extensively to make sure all the parts work together, but with this kind of writing you have to write your little bit and then let it go." Shannon Hale is the author Princess Academy, Rapunzel's Revenge, The Actor and the Housewife, and the Books of Bayern series. Midnight in Austenland will be published in January 2012. Learn more about Shannon's books on her website. 

 
Available from Candlewick Press
in hardcover, paperback, and audio formats TOMORROW

CLICK HERE to Order!

Learn more about this innovative project and discover a wealth of coordinating activities and resources on the NCBLA's Exquisite Corpse Adventure Education Resource Center.

All Eyes on the First Family: Learning More About Presidents and Their Families

Share Presidential Facts and Stories with Your Family and Learn Together

As the First Family begins their summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard, reporters and photographers are helping Americans everywhere keep hourly tabs on their activities, allowing us to watch the family's walks to the local bookstore, bicycle ventures, and brief questions with the press as journalists ask the president what work he is accomplishing while enjoying the island.

Parents and guardians, why not make the current media focus on the presidential family a teachable moment? You can help kids learn more about America's presidents, families, politics, and history using the award-winning anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out!

Share the stories of  Thomas Jefferson's fascination with fossils and White House life for the young Kennedy family in  "Jefferson's Monstrous Bones" by Barbara Kerley and "The Kennedy White House" by Barbara Harrison.

Read about the letters Theodore Roosevelt sent to his children in an article by Leonard S. Marcus. And take a look at what happens behind the scenes in David Small's lively sketches titled "Backstairs at the White House."

On the companion educational site OurWhiteHouse.org, you can read about the secret surgery President Grover Cleveland underwent while the public thought he was on vacation! And read why the capacity to relax is critical to a president's effectiveness and how presidents seek some relief from the pressure of their jobs in "Stress Relief: Exercise and Relaxation at the White House" by Geri Zabela Eddins.

Also on OurWhiteHouse.org, learn about our first president's interest in breeding mules and hounds in "Presidential Menageries: George Washington, Hound Dogs, and Super Mules" by Mary Brigid Barrett.

And discover what you might have in common with American presidents and what unusual critters have resided in the White House with them in "Presidents Are People Too!" and "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My" both by Heather Lang. 

While visiting OurWhiteHouse.org, be sure to check out the vast array of other articles, resources, and activities that help young people connect with American history.

Our White House is a project of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance created  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 and bookstore near you!

Activist Alert!

SKILLS Act Provides Funding
for the Future of School Libraries

YOUR Support Is Needed

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” or 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. 

Senators who have already agreed to co-sponsor the bill include: 

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. 

Coming NEXT WEEK to a Library and Bookstore Near You!

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure
A Progressive Story Game Played by
20 Celebrated Authors and Illustrators

It all starts with a train rushing through the night. . . . Well, actually, it starts when Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, writes a cliff-hanger episode and passes it on to the next member of a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who continues the story and passes it on.
 

A collaboration between the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure originated as a national literacy outreach project for young people and helped launch the READ.gov website.

 

What Do Contributors Say About Their Experiences Writing and Illustrating The Exquisite Corpse?

On writing the first episode, Jon Scieszka, says, "My challenge was to seed that first chapter with enough weird details for all the crazy writers following me. That turned out to be the fun part. The harder part was trying to set up a plot that would be strong enough to stand up to all the crazy writers."

Megan McDonald addresses the challenge, "Phew! I would have to say keeping all the previous story threads together-beast and babies, bombs, bridges, birthday cards-Yikes! That's a lot of hot potatoes to keep in the air (to pick up on M. T. Anderson's image [of what it's like to write an exquisite corpse]). Figuring out how to move the existing story forward, yet contributing something different and unique at the same time. (Yes, I'm one who split up the twins and made them go in two different directions...). But hey, I loved the Telephone Games as a kid..."

Susan Cooper says, "I suppose the most challenging aspect was the one that was also the most fun - the fact of having absolutely no control over what happened to the characters before the start of my episode, or after it. The second time around was even more fun than the first, because so much outrageous stuff had happened to them in between. And the second time offered extra challenges because I felt I should go back to Jon S's (Scieszka) list of forthcoming events and characters mentioned in his first episode and try to pick up some that we hadn't yet dealt with. The whole thing was a blast, and I hope it's been enjoyable to read - though it does probably prove that a truly coherent novel is best written by a single author."

On illustrating for The Exquisite Corpse, Chris Van Dusen explains, "With each illustration, I try to intrigue the reader by showing an event from that episode, something that will entice them to read the story. The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is an interesting mix of humor, mystery, and sometimes even horror, so I try to convey the mood of the episode in the picture as well. What I find challenging is keeping the artwork consistent. When I work on one of my own books, I make sure the characters and settings look the same throughout the book. But when you're working with three other illustrators, keeping things consistent is almost impossible, so I've decided to let that go."

Available from Candlewick Press
in hardcover, paperback, and audio formats August, 23.  

CLICK HERE to Pre-Order!

Learn more about this innovative project and discover a wealth of coordinating activities and resources on the NCBLA's Exquisite Corpse Adventure Education Resource Center.

Back to School: Tips for Easing the Transition

Resources Available to Help Parents and Guardians Get Kids Back to School with Less Stress

As teachers prepare their curricula and classrooms for the first day of school, the NCBLA would like to share some authoritative resources to help parents and guardians everywhere ease the transition from summer to school as smoothly as possible.

Offering excellent tips for families with kids of all ages is "Back to School: Reducing the Stress!" in the NCBLA's Parent and Guardian Handbook, written by Mary Brigid Barrett. This informative article provides a series of tips helping your family prepare for and begin a successful school year. Mary Brigid Barrett is the president and executive director of The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. She is the author of the recently released children’s picture book Shoebox Sam (HarperCollins: Zonderkidz), and is the editor of, and contributor to, the NCBLA’s award-winning publication Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (Candlewick Press). 

Other resources of interest to parents and guardians in the  NCBLA's free Parent and Guardian Handbook include: "I Will Read to My Kids--If I Ever Find the Time!," "Helping Your First Grader Learn to Read," and "Homework: A Parent's Guide."

Resources Mined from the Internet!

Other excellent resources to help your kids begin a successful school year include: 

* "Back-to-School Resources for Parents and Educators" on ReadingRockets.org.

* "Ensuring Successful Student Transitions from the Middle Grades to High School" by Kathy Christie and Kyle Zinth on AdLit.org.

* "Get Ready to Go Back to School" on ReadWriteThink.org. 

Read More About It! Book Lists Invite Kids to Read Beyond The Exquisite Corpse Adventure

Themed Book Lists for Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episodes Created by Butler Children's Lit Center Experts

COMING SOON to a bookstore and library near you, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a progressive story game in which one person begins a story, stops at a cliff-hanging moment, and the next person picks it up and continues until everyone in the group has the opportunity to contribute. Created as a national reading outreach project by the NCBLA and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is being published in paperback, hardcover, and audio formats by Candlewick Press August 23.

Extensive Education Resources Available!

Extending the educational impact of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is the NCBLA's Education Resource Center, which contains a treasure trove of resources and articles, as well as activities, discussion questions, and art appreciation ideas, AND a “read more about it” annotated book list for each and every episode!

 

Many of the activities for home and classroom for each episode were created by the talented faculty and students at the Butler Children’s Literature Center at Dominican University. These activities and resources can be used not only for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, but for other literary works as well. We invite you to take a look and use these free resources in any way you can.

Sample List of Recommended Reads: Episode 3

Each episode's book list is thematically linked to a character, plot element, or setting, inviting young people to discover even more great books to read! Each list includes three books recommended to read aloud and three books recommended for independent reading.

Following is the annotated book list for Episode 3 created by Thom Barthelmess, Curator at the Butler Children’s Literature Center:

 

Pigs! Annotated List of Suggested Read Alouds and Independent Reads

Read Alouds:

Martin, Jacqueline Briggs.  The Water Gift and the Pig of the Pig.  32p. Gr. K-3
Isabel and her grandfather the sea captain share a magical gift for finding things. Isabel is shy and when her best friend the Pig of the Pig goes missing she must awaken her courage to find her precious friend. Isabel soon learns that you must believe in a gift in order to make it your own. Linda Wingerter’s stunning illustrations take you to the coast with Isabel and her family.

Prelutsky, Jack.  It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles: Poems. 159p.  Gr. K-6
Weird animals and unusual kids abound in this collection for rascals. Jack Prelutsky offers fresh verse along with gleeful line drawings from illustrator James Stevenson. Prepare yourself for unusual rhymes and jut a little touch of the gross. This collection also offers great possibilities for performance pieces.

Rylant, Cynthia.  Poppleton.  48p. Gr. 1-2
What would do if you had a friend who wanted to feed you oatmeal, toasted cheese and spaghetti all day long?  Even a pig knows when enough is enough. Poppleton learns that it is okay to tell a friend that you want to be alone. There is a new pig in town and his name is Poppleton. 

Independent Reads:

Brooks, Walter R.  Freddy the Detective.  263p. Gr. 3 -5
There is a crime wave at Bean's Farm and Jinx the cat’s name must be cleared. Freddy the pig, inspired by a Sherlock Holmes book he found in the barn, decides to become a master detective with the help of his sidekick Mrs. Wiggins the cow. Introduce yourself to Freddy, one of the first literary pigs.

Hearne, Betsy Gould.  Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs.  133p. Gr. 3-6
Eleven year old Louise Tolliver just made a wish on the first star of the night. Now her wish has come true but it is not what she expected. Her brother has disappeared and it looks as if he’s turned into a pig. Louise has to decide how to get him back using the only tricks she has, wishes, kisses and spells. 

Zindel, Paul.  The Pigman.  166p. Gr. 6-9
Funny old Mr. Pignati has found some new friends. Lorraine and John are two bored teenagers who stumble upon the Pigman during a prank. Through his kindness the teens begin to enjoy a little bit of happiness. When their new friend puts his trust in them though, they betray him. Now the only way for John and Lorraine to find peace is to write down The Pigman’s story.

Be sure to check out ALL the activities and resources available on The Exquisite Corpse Adventure Companion Education Resource Center!

Ask for It at Your Library or Bookstore! 

The contributors to The Exquisite Corpse Adventure are some of the most gifted artists and storytellers in our nation. This amazing team of writers and illustrators has made an extraordinary gift, donating their time and talent to a year-long project with the Library of Congress and to the publication of this book.

 

The members of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure “motley crew” are: M.T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Calef Brown, Susan Cooper, Kate Di Camillo, 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.

You can read more about this very exciting project on the NCBLA's website.

Illustration at top right by  Calef Brown (c) 2010.