In Case You Missed It!

Reading Rockets Shares Ideas for Helping Kids Engage in the Presidential Inauguration

"Inaugural Morning" by A. G. Ford, an illustration in
Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out,
paperback edition, Candlewick Press.

Check out the latest blog entry titled "Fit for a President" by Reading Rockets' children's literature expert Maria Salvadore for information regarding how you can involve kids in Monday's inauguration. To read her article, click here. 

Here is an excerpt:
The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance has built on their 2010 book Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (Candlewick) to create an online (downloadable) resource sure to not only inform but inspire adults with activities to actively engage children. 

The Our White House Inauguration Celebration Kit for Kids was created especially for parents, family members, teachers, librarians, and community leaders. Not only is it likely kids will get caught up in the fascinating material gathered here, they'll have a good time trying some of the suggested activities — from designing a parade float to hosting an inaugural poetry reading.

No matter where you live, you can join the festivities — in person or virtually. Children will find inaugural excitement positively contagious when guided by an informed adult and in doing so, become excited about a uniquely American tradition.

To check out the complete contents of the NCBLA's Our White House Inauguration Celebration Kit for Kids, click here. It's jam packed with games, articles, stories, stories, and discussion questions to engage young people in this year's inauguration and the political process!


For an easy-to-print version, find it here on the document-sharing website Scribd.

AND,  to download and print the "Inaugural I SPY Scorecard," click here. 

And don't forget to ask for the interdisciplinary anthology  Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out  (Candlewick) at your local library and bookstore, a perfect companion to helping you engage young people in American History and politics all year round!

Our White House is available in both hardcover and paperback. The  paperback edition features a moving poem written by Nikki Grimes reflecting on President Obama's 2009 inauguration, as well as an accompanying illustration by A. G. Ford!