Seventh Annual Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Winner and Honor Books Announced

Tune in for a virtual reading on TBD of the winning title by the author and illustrator, followed by a Q&A.

New York, NY – May 3, 2023 – Penguin Young Readers, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader are honored to announce that The Proudest Color, written by Dr. Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou, and illustrated by Monica Mikai, published by Familius Books, is the winner of the Seventh annual Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award.

This award is given annually to a picture book that is both a superb read-aloud and sparks compassion, empathy, and connection. The award commemorates the life and work of author/illustrator Anna Dewdney and celebrates her commitment to reading with young children and putting books into as many little hands as possible.

Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou will gather virtually to record a read-aloud of their winning title, followed by a conversation about their creative process and Q&A. We invite teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to submit your own questions, or the questions of young readers’ for the book’s authors to answer. Submit a question for the Q&A by May 19.

Sheila Modir is a pediatric psychologist and Jeffrey Kashou is a marriage and family therapist. As Middle Eastern Americans (Iranian and Palestinian) and as clinicians, they advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion and work toward promoting resilience in children. While this is their first children’s book together, this happy couple from Southern California has teamed up on publications, presentations, and service work locally and internationally. Sheila and Jeff donate their author proceeds from the book to ACLU SoCal and other local social justice organizations for children. Visit them at www.theproudestcolor.com

Monica Mikai is an illustrator and former educator. She has an MFA from the New York Studio School, where she studied painting, and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two sons, and her sassy cat, Nima.

The Honor Books for 2023 are:

Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion, by Shannon Stocker; illus. by Devon Holzwarth (Dial Books)

Snow Globe Wishes, by Erin Dealey; illus. by Claire Shorrock (Sleeping Bear Press)

The Bad Seed, by Jory John; illus. by Pete Oswald (HarperCollins)

Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork, by Constance Lombardo; illus. by Jason Patterson and Dan Abdo (Hippo Park/Astra Publishing)

In honor of this year’s Anna Dewdney Read Together Award winner, Penguin Young Readers will donate 250 copies of The Proudest Color to two organizations: StoryMaze Project, an organization run by The Radical Librarian, that aims to eliminate Baltimore’s book deserts; and to a Harlem-based organization aimed at improving literacy and opportunities for children. The authors will also donate their portion of the monetary prize to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California.

Past winners can be viewed here.

The winner and honor books were chosen via voting over the last two months by librarians, teachers, booksellers, and caregivers across America.

About Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney was the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Llama Llama Red Pajama. Other award-winning books in the Llama Llama series include Llama Lama and the Bully GoatLlama Lama Time to ShareLlama Llama Misses MamaLlama Llama Holiday Drama, and Llama Llama Mad at Mama. The latest book in the Llama Llama series Llama Llama’s Little Lie will be released in August 2023. She was also the author/illustrator of Little ExcavatorNobunny’s PerfectRoly Poly Pangolin, and Grumpy Gloria. Anna worked as a rural mail carrier and taught at a boys’ boarding school for many years before becoming a full-time author and illustrator. Anna was a committed advocate of literacy, speaking regularly on this topic and publishing articles in the Wall Street Journal and other national outlets.

About Penguin Young Readers

Penguin Young Readers is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Dial Books, Dutton, Flamingo, Kokila, Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Workshop, Philomel, Puffin, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Razorbill, Viking, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as, Laurie Halse Anderson, Max Brallier, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Roald Dahl, Anna Dewdney, John Flanagan, John Green, Oliver Jeffers, Brad Meltzer, Ransom Riggs, Ruta Sepetys, Sabaa Tahir, Jacqueline Woodson, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Madeline, Mad Libs, the Last Kids on Earth, the Rangers Apprentice, and Who HQ among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

About Every Child a Reader

Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 104 years in 2023; the Kids’ Book Choice Awards, the only national book awards chosen solely by children and teens; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project: and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.

Contacts:

Penguin Contact: Garrett Bond, Publicity Manager, Brands, Penguin Young Readers gbond@prh.com

CBC and Every Child a Reader Contact: Carl Lennertz, Executive Director, The Children’s Book Council  carl.lennertz@cbcbooks.org

Meg Medina Embarks on Tour as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

Medina to Discuss Books, Share ‘Cuéntame!: Let’s Talk Books’ Initiative NEWS from the LIBRARY of CONGRESS. May 1, 2023 — National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina will launch her national tour with a visit to the communities of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Newburgh, New York this spring and summer. During her tour, Medina will inspire students and families to experiment with “book talks” — the process of sharing books to start conversations and build excitement about reading. Medina, the eighth national ambassador, aims to emphasize books and stories as a part of everyday life, encourage story sharing and conversation among friends and within families, and to highlight libraries as a welcoming place for families to explore, learn and connect. Medina’s tour will engage readers through her initiative Cuéntame!: Let’s talk books. Inspired by the Spanish phrase that friends and families use when catching up with one another, Cuéntame! builds connection in classrooms, libraries, and communities, and among (within?) families. Medina will engage these audiences with two events at each tour stop: a public event at a local library and a private program at an area school. Medina will host public events at the following libraries: Events are free and open to the public. Tour dates for the fall will be announced later this month. The communities Medina visits on tour will receive a curated set of digital collections items about their local community from the Library of Congress’ archives in addition to a tailored information session about Library resources and/or grant opportunities. Each student in the schools visited on tour will also receive a copy of one of Medina’s acclaimed books, donated by Candlewick Press, as part of the National Ambassador program’s overarching mission to enhance young people’s connection with books. The tour is coordinated and funded with primary support from Every Child a Reader, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program partner, an award-winning literacy charity in its 15th year of promoting the joy of reading. To follow Medina’s journey across the country, visit her National Ambassador LibGuide — available in English and Spanish. For educators who want to incorporate Cuéntame!: Let’s talk books into the classroom, download Medina’s National Ambassador Educator Guide. To apply for Medina’s 2024 tour, check for details on Medina’s LibGuide in August 2023 or subscribe to the Library’s Bookmarked blog for updates. As the world’s largest library — one uniquely charged with the development and preservation of civic, intellectual and creative vigor — programs such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature promote the Library of Congress’ real-world engagement and commitment to readers in America. The National Ambassador program was established by the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council and its foundation, Every Child a Reader, in 2008 to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.
About Meg Medina Meg Medina is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, which was followed by two more acclaimed books about the Suárez family: Merci Suárez Can’t Dance and Merci Suárez Plays It Cool. Her young adult novels include Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which won the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award and will be published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas; Burn Baby Burn, which was long-listed for the National Book Award; and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. She is also the author of picture books Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, Jumpstart’s 2020 Read for the Record selection; Mango, Abuela, and Me, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, which was a Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book; and Tía Isa Wants a Car, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz, which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award; and the biography for young readers She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia. Visit her online at megmedina.com. About Every Child a Reader Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 104 years in 2023; the Kids’ Book Choice Awards, the only national book awards chosen solely by children and teens; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress. About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
Media Contacts: Leah Knobel, Library of Congress, lknobel@loc.gov | Phoebe Kosman, Candlewick Press, Phoebe.Kosman@candlewick.com Public Contact: Anya Creightney, acre@loc.gov Press Photos: newsroom.loc.gov

3 NEW GET CAUGHT READING POSTERS!

Sign up to get a free copy of each of 3 fun Get Caught Reading posters featuring illustrated characters Phoebe & Marigold, Big Nate, and Kevin and Miles of Crabgrass Drive.

These graphic novel character posters are courtesy of Andrews McMeel Publishing. The first Phoebe & Her Unicorn was our most popular poster to date, and kids will love this new one, as they will the brand-new Big Nate and Crabgrass Drive posters! We will begin to mail these in mid-to-late May. Complete the form to request yours today!

The Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics collections are full of sparkling stories about a girl named Phoebe and her best friend, the fabulous unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. This series sees the pair navigate both Phoebe’s middle school drama and Marigold’s magical world. Creator and cartoonist Dana Simpson graduated from The Evergreen State College, despite having spent all her time drawing, and not always for credit.

Big Nate is a legend at P.S. 38, where he and friends Francis, Teddy, Dee Dee, Chad, and others manage to make sixth grade interesting with all kinds of pranks, drama, sports, and good times. Lincoln Peirce is a cartoonist who has been creating comic strips since he was a sixth grader himself; he has been drawing the Big Nate comic strip for over 30 years.

Crabgrass is a comic set in the fictional town of Crabgrass Drive and chronicles the close friendship of Kevin and Miles, and the many stumbles and breakthroughs they encounter growing up together in a not-so-distant time before cellphones and the internet. Tauhid Bondia is a web cartoonist and illustrator from Kentucky. He has been creating comics online for 15 years and loves drawing and telling stories as much as ever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over two dozen 8 ½” x 11” posters are available free to teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents. The program was relaunched in 2018 thanks to a grant from KPMG and a poster featuring Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez. In 2019 and 2020, posters featuring bestselling authors Kate DiCamillo, Raj Halder, and Raakhee Mirchandani, plus the animated character Phoebe and her Unicorn were made available. Backlist posters include Alicia Keys, Neil Gaiman, Alex Morgan, Horton (Horton Hears a Who!), and Olivia (Olivia book series).

Up to 10 different posters can be ordered on the order form at www.GetCaughtReading.org.


About Get Caught Reading
A nationwide, year-round campaign to promote the fun of reading books for all ages. Launched in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers and now managed by Every Child a Reader. Get Caught Reading provides teachers and librarians with bulletin board-sized posters of authors, athletes, media stars, and beloved book characters caught reading a favorite!

2023 Children’s Book Week Theme and Poster Revealed on PW

“Hoping to ignite the flame that inspires young readers to make a difference, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader have released the slogan for this year’s Children’s Book Week, “Read Books. Spark Change.”

“We felt that this theme was particularly apt for the times and speaks to the power that books and stories have to inspire positive change,” said associate executive director Shaina Birkhead. “Books can spark change with an individual reader, a family, a classroom, or a whole community.”

The 2023 event, which will be held May 1–7 and November 6–12, marks the fifth year of hosting two week-long celebrations, with a special educator kit offered in the fall.”

Read the full story at Publisher’s Weekly.

TEN NEW GET CAUGHT READING POSTERS

Every Child a Reader announces ten new Get Caught Reading posters featuring amazing Lakota and Ojibwa authors, the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and more!

The first round of 2023 posters include:

  • Brad Wagnon – He is a lifelong resident of the Gideon Community and an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Brad taught Cherokee History, Culture, and Language at Tahlequah High School for 10 years and works for Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach. He is the author of three children’s books, How the World Was Made: A Cherokee Story, The Land of the Great Turtles, and The First Fire: A Cherokee Story. These books are based on traditional Cherokee stories.

 

  • Rosey Alvero – She has lived and worked around the world, with her favorite stops being in San Francisco (California and Mexico), Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Manila. It would be difficult to find her in one place, but if you do, she is likely enjoying the outdoors and making memories with friends and family. She is thrilled to explore Los Angeles as the host of Emmy Award-winning series “SoCal Wanderer” for KCET.

 

  • Patricia Cutright – She is Lakota and an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe. Reading and libraries have always been her passion, as reading can empower all ages and socio-economic levels. Her many awards include the ALA/LITA Gaylord Award for Achievement in Library and Information Technology, Oregon Librarian of the Year, and the Distinguished Administrative Faculty award from Eastern Oregon University.

 

  • Allan Wolf – He is the author of poetry, picture books, and YA novels, including No Buddy Like a Book, The Day the Universe Exploded My Head, and The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic, listed on Booklist’s 50 Best YA Novels of All Time. With school and library presentations and with a thousand poems committed to memory, Wolf believes in the healing powers of poetry writing, reading, and recitation

 

  • Michael Larter – He lives in Freeport, Illinois, with his wife and two children. He is Ojibwa from the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota and enjoys playing the native flute and traditional gardening.

 

  • Micheal Anderson – She is the author of the Zoey Lyndon, STEM-focused children’s middle-grade chapter book series. An avid supporter of children’s literacy, she understands the value in representation and believes reading should never be considered a luxury. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Jack and Jill Associates of St. Louis, and the Junior League of St. Louis. She enjoys traveling abroad and loves jazz music.

 

  • Jordyn Cho – She is a school librarian at PS 158 in New York City and is completing her library science degree at SUNY Albany. While going to libraries when her children were small, she fell in love with children’s literature and decided to pursue a career as a school librarian to pass on that love to other children. You can catch her reading with her family and friends at the NYPL, in Bryant Park, or on public transportation.

 

  • Casper ter Kuile – He is the author of The Power of Ritual, the co-founder of Sacred Design Lab, and the co-creator of the podcasts Harry Potter and the Sacred Text and The Real Question. He has spoken widely on community trends, ritual, and emerging spirituality at The Aspen Ideas Festival, Cannes Lions Festival, Stanford University, and numerous religious institutions.

 

  • Jon Scieszka – He is an American children’s writer best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate and the founder of Guys Read — a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is “to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.” Scieszka was the first U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed by the Librarian of Congress for 2008 and 2009.

Every Child a Reader thanks the many publishers for connecting us to these fantastic authors.

      

   

   

       

Over two dozen 8 ½” x 11” posters are available free to teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents. The program was relaunched in 2018 thanks to a grant from KPMG and a poster featuring Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez. In 2019 and 2020, posters featuring bestselling authors Kate DiCamillo, Raj Halder, and Raakhee Mirchandani, plus the animated character Phoebe and her Unicorn were made available. Backlist posters include Alicia Keys, Neil Gaiman, Alex Morgan, Horton (Horton Hears a Who!), and Olivia (Olivia book series).

Up to 10 different posters can be ordered on the order form at www.GetCaughtReading.org.


About Get Caught Reading
A nationwide, year-round campaign to promote the fun of reading books for all ages. Launched in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers and now managed by Every Child a Reader. Get Caught Reading provides teachers and librarians with bulletin board-sized posters of authors, athletes, media stars, and beloved book characters caught reading a favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meg Medina Named New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

Medina to Engage Youth, Families and Communities Through ‘¡Cuéntame!: Let’s Talk Books’

The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader today announced the appointment of Meg Medina as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2023- 2024.

Medina, a Cuban-American, is the first author of Latina heritage to serve as National Ambassador in the program’s history. She succeeds Jason Reynolds, who served as the National Ambassador from 2020 through 2022.

Medina’s books examine how culture and identity intersect through the eyes of young people. Her middle-grade novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears, the first of three books in a trilogy about the Suárez family, received the 2019 Newbery Medal and was named a notable children’s book of the year by the New York Times Book Review. Her most recent picture book, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, received multiple honors, including the 2021-2022 Charlotte Zolotow Award. Raised in Queens, New York, Medina now lives with her family in Richmond, Virginia.

For her two-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Medina will engage readers across the country through her new platform Cuéntame!: Let’s talk books. Inspired by the Spanish phrase that friends and families use when catching up with one another, ¡Cuéntame! encourages connection among families, classrooms, libraries and communities by talking about books—both books that reflect the readers’ lived experiences and those that expose readers to new perspectives.

“It’s an enormous honor to advocate for the reading and writing lives of our nation’s children and families,” Medina said. “I realize the responsibility is critical, but with the fine examples of previous ambassadors to guide me, I am eager to get started on my vision for this important work. More than anything, I want to make reading and story- sharing something that happens beyond classroom and library walls. I want to tap into books and stories as part of everyday life, with all of us coming to the table to share the tales that speak to us and that broaden our understanding of one another.”

As National Ambassador, Medina will encourage families and young people to build relationships with their local libraries, and will create materials to introduce and connect readers with authors across a range of styles and genres. During in-person visits with students, Medina will discuss her work and host “book talks” with kids. Medina believes that when we talk about the books we enjoy with others, we share who we are as thinkers, as readers and as people in our families and communities.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden will inaugurate Medina as the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Jason Reynolds, the 2020-2022 National Ambassador, and local school groups will be in attendance to welcome Medina into her new role. The event will be livestreamed on the Library’s YouTube page.

“I am delighted Meg Medina will serve as the next National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “Meg’s warmth and openness, coupled with her long-running commitment to young readers, libraries and librarians, is extraordinary. I look forward to the ways she will invite young people — especially Spanish and bilingual speakers — to share their favorite books and stories.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of Meg Medina as the next ambassador,” said Carl Lennertz, executive director of Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council. “She will inspire young people of all ages over the next two years with her energy, ideas and passion for reading and storytelling.”

As the world’s largest library — one uniquely charged with the development and preservation of civic, intellectual and creative vigor — programs such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature promote the Library of Congress’ real-world engagement and commitment to readers in America.

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is selected for their contributions to young people’s literature, the ability to relate to children and teens and dedication to fostering children’s literacy in all forms. The selection, made by the Librarian of Congress, is based on nominations from a diverse pool of distinguished professionals in the children’s publishing field and from an independent selection committee comprising educators, librarians, booksellers and children’s literature experts.

Members of the 2023-2024 selection committee for the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature include:

  • Cathy Berner, children’s and young adult specialist and events coordinator, Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston
  • Klem-Marí Cajigas, Family Literacy Coordinator, Bringing Books to Life!, Nashville Public Library
  • Nicole A. Cooke, the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair for Childhood Literacy and associate professor, University of South Carolina
  • Saraciea J. Fennell, founder and CEO, The Bronx Is Reading, and executive director, Bronx Book Festival
  • Kathy Ishizuka, editor in chief and partnerships & innovation director, School Library Journal
  • Brein Lopez, general manager, Children’s Book World in Los Angeles
  • Jason Reynolds, 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, bestselling and award-winning author
  • Diane Roback, senior vice president and children’s book editor, Publishers Weekly
  • Deborah Taylor, youth literature specialist, retired coordinator of school and student services, Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore

About the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress James Madison Council, The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation and Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

The program was established in 2008 by the Library, the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to emphasize the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

Previous National Ambassadors include authors Jon Scieszka (2008–2009), Katherine Paterson (2010–2011), Walter Dean Myers (2012–2013), Kate DiCamillo (2014–2015), Gene Luen Yang (2016–2017), Jacqueline Woodson (2018–2019) and Jason Reynolds (2020-2022).

About Meg Medina
Meg Medina is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, which was followed by two more acclaimed books about the Suárez family: Merci Suárez Can’t Dance and Merci Suárez Plays It Cool. Her young adult novels include Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which won the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award and will be published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas; Burn Baby Burn, which was long-listed for the National Book Award; and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. She is also the author of picture books Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, Jumpstart’s 2020 Read for the Record selection; Mango, Abuela, and Me, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, which was a Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book; and Tía Isa Wants a Car, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz, which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award; and the biography for young readers She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia. Visit her online at megmedina.com.

About Every Child a Reader
Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 104 years in 2023; the Kids’ Book Choice Awards, the only national book awards chosen solely by children and teens; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.

About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

Jason Reynolds Closing Event Video

On Tuesday, December 13, the Library of Congress hosted an event to mark the end of the third and final year of Jason Reynold’s incredible tenure as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

The National Ambassador program is run by Every Child a Reader, in partnership with the Library of Congress.

Students from local schools attended the event in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress. Jason had a dialogue on stage with two students and then addressed the audience with emotional and humorous reflections on his journey these three years.

Then, Children’s Book Council’s Shaina Birkhead took the stage to thank Jason on behalf of everyone in the children’s publishing world and the thousands of students Jason met in person and virtually at 47 school events across 25 states over 3 years.

Watch the entire event here!

2022 KIDS’ BOOK CHOICE AWARD WINNERS

Every Child a Reader is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s KIDS’ BOOK CHOICE AWARDS.
Voted on by young readers across the country from September to November, these winners represent kids’ favorites in 12 fun categories.
Thank you to everyone who voted and encouraged voting in their communities.
See this year’s winners below!

2022 WINNERS

Best Picture Book Dream Team

Andrew Root and Erin Kraan, creators of Nerdycorn (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)

Favorite Illustrated Character

Misty from Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day, by Dylan Dreyer; illus. Rosie Butcher (Random House Children’s Books)

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Book of the Year

We All Play: kimêtawânaw, written and illustrated by Julie Flett (Greystone Kids)

Favorite World Changer

Characters from Black Boy Joy, edited by Kwame Mbalia (Random House Children’s Books)

Best Info Meets Graphic

Big Brain Book: How It Works and All Its Quirks, by Leanne Boucher Gill PhD (Magination Press)

3rd – 5th Grade Book of the Year

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, by Carole Boston Weatherford; illus. by Floyd Cooper (Lerner Publishing)

Favorite Book Cover

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales, by Soman Chainani; cover by Julia Iredale (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Best Non-Prose Book

This Book is Feminist, by Jamia Wilson; illus. Aurélia Durand (Quarto Children’s Group USA)

6th – 8th Grade Book of the Year

Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown, by Steve Sheinkin (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group)

Favorite Character Crush

Charlie Spring from Heartstopper #3, written and illustrated by Alice Oseman (Scholastic)

Best Stellar Storyteller

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, creator of The Hawthorne Legacy (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Teen Book of the Year

Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo (Penguin Young Readers Group)

Now go discover, read, re-read, and share these great creators and titles!

Celebrate Fall Children’s Book Week at These Events Around the Country!

Celebrate with us November 7-13!

Virtual and in-person events are being held throughout the week at various bookstores and libraries. All events listed are open to the public.

Virtual Events

  • Monday, November 7 @ 9am ET: Snowman Amuck by Cindy Samul will be available free throughout Children’s Book Week. It’s boy versus snowman. Told in full color comic style. Humorous and a little bit scary. Fun reading for ages 6 and up, 48 pages. Participants will receive the entire ebook in their preferred format by simply signing up.
  • Monday, November 7 @ 7pm ET: A virtual conversation between Jamie Pacton and Betty Culley about Jamie’s upcoming novel, THE VERMILION EMPIRE. Hosted by Print: A Bookstore. Sign up.

In-Person Events by Date

All Week!

  • West Orange, NJ: All week long: after school drop in and celebrate with activities and “find and seek” at West Orange Library.
  • Danville, CA: Celebrate Picture Book Month all November! Featuring Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons at Danville Library of Contra Costa County Library. (Sponsored by the Friends of the Pleasant Hill and Danville Libraries.)
      • Big Button Scavenger Hunt – November 1-19: Pete the Cat has lost his buttons all over the library! Did he cry? Goodness no, because he knows you’ll complete the scavenger hunt to find them all and receive a small prize.
      • Guessing Jar – November 1-30: Guess how many buttons are in the jar. The closest kid guesser may find a new cool blue friend in the Picture Book Prize Bag!
  • Jay, ME: Drop by the library anytime this week and learn how to draw your favorite book characters, including the Cat in the Hat and Gerald the elephant at Jay Niles Memorial Library!

Saturday, November 5

  • 10:30am ET in Fernandina Beach, FL: We are celebrating Children’s Book Week with special guests Elephant & Piggie during our weekly StoryTime with Ms. Dearsha program at Story & Song Center for Arts and Culture. Selections from Mo Willems Elephant & Piggie books will be read and Elephant & Piggie costumed characters will be available for photos. Our theme is How Do You Book with Elephant & Piggie? A special craft or activity will also be available following the stories.

Sunday, November 6

Monday, November 7

  • 2pm ET in Tarrytown, NY: Mi Comunidad / My Community by 123 Andrés Musical StoryWalk and related activity to take home at Warner Library.
  • 4pm PT in Danville, CA: Paws To Read – Students in grades 1-5 have fun and improve their literacy skills while reading to a therapy dog certified by the Valley Humane Society. Bring a book, or choose one of ours at Danville Library of Contra Costa County Library! (Supported by the Valley Humane Society and sponsored by the Friends of the Danville Library)
  • 5pm ET in Alexandria, VA: Author George S. Corey and illustrator Cleo will present and sign Presidential Conversations For Kids at Hooray For Books! (ages 10+)
  • 5:30pm ET in Defiance, OH: Read, Rhyme, and Romp at Defiance Public Library! Geared to babies and toddlers. Storytime for children ages 2-6 immediately follows at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, November 8

  • 10:30am ET in Defiance, OH: Read, Rhyme, and Romp at Defiance Public Library! Geared to babies and toddlers. Storytime for children ages 2-6 immediately follows at 11 a.m.
  • 4:30pm ET in Defiance, OH:  Story Express: Children’s Book Club at Defiance Public Library. Geared to grades 1-6.
      • The beginning of the book club session will focus on a 1st and 2nd grade selection—The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier. The second portion of the session will be geared towards a 3rd to 6th grade selection—The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. During the program, each book will have sections read aloud, followed by activities based on the readings.
  • 6:30pm CT in Webster Groves, MO: Launch event with author Esme Symes-Smith for Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston. Esme will be joined in conversation by author Catherine Bakewell at The Novel Neighbor.
      • In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight battles for the heart of their kingdom. A thrilling middle-grade series opener that explores identity and gender amid sword fights and magic, and proves anyone can be a hero.

 

Wednesday, November 9

  • 11:15am PT in Danville, CA: Family Story Hour, a fun combination of books, finger plays, rhymes, songs, movement activities and more! Family Story Hour will help reinforce a lifelong love of learning while building language and literacy skills. Most appropriate for ages 1-5, but all ages are welcome at Danville Library of Contra Costa County Library.
  • 4pm ET in Canton, OH: Meet the author of the award-winning picture book, Read Island! Nicole Magistro will sign books and talk with readers and educators The Wise Owl school supply and bookstore until 6pm.

Thursday, November 10

  • 10:30am ET in Defiance, OH: Story Express: Children’s Book Club at Defiance Public Library. Geared to grades 1-6.
      • The beginning of the book club session will focus on a 1st and 2nd grade selection—The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier. The second portion of the session will be geared towards a 3rd to 6th grade selection—The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. During the program, each book will have sections read aloud, followed by activities based on the readings.
  • 5:30pm CT in Manor, TX: Family Literacy Night: featuring 9 Spanish-English literacy stations, read-alouds, and free books to take home at Manor Elementary Early Learning Center.
  • 7pm ET in Decatur, GA: Event with Soman Chainani, author of the School for Good and Evil series at Little Shop of Stories.
  • 7pm ET in Bowling Green, OH: Vamos! Meet Author and Illustrator Raúl The Third at Wood County District Public Library.
  • 7pm CT in St. Louis, MO: Tracy Deonn (Bloodmarked) & Susan Dennard (The Luminaries) in conversation at The Novel Neighbor at Sun Theatre.
      • We are so excited to host two incredible authors in conversation with each other for an IN-PERSON event! New York Times bestselling author Tracy Deonn with her newest book in the Legendborn Cycle, Bloodmarked, will be in conversation with New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard, author of The Luminaries.
      • This is a ticketed event.
      • Each ticket will include a pre-signed, pre-personalized copy of Bloodmarked or The Luminaries. Following the event, there will be a signing line for Tracy and Susan’s backlist.
      • Please note, masking for this event is mandatory.

Friday, November 11

  • 7pm ET in Decatur, GA: Ya author Marissa Meyer presents Cursed at Little Shop of Stories.
      • Registration required

Saturday, November 12

  • 10:30am ET in Fernandina Beach, FL: We are celebrating Children’s Book Week with special guests Elephant & Piggie during our weekly StoryTime with Ms. Dearsha program at Story & Song Center for Arts and Culture. Selections from Mo Willems Elephant & Piggie books will be read and Elephant & Piggie costumed characters will be available for photos. Our theme is How Do You Book with Elephant & Piggie? A special craft or activity will also be available following the stories.
  • 1pm PT in San Francisco, CA: The Book Wagon brings a wide selection of children’s books to playgrounds and lets kids choose books to take home for free. We encourage children to build their own libraries at home. At Mission Playground.
  • 2pm ET in Alexandria, VA: Author Nanci Turner Steveson will present and sign Midnight at the Shelter at Hooray For Books!(ages 8-12)
  • 2pm ET in Wayne, PA: Encanto Party: Join Casita Girl & her cousin for a celebration of all things Encanto at Radnor Memorial Library! Enjoy a few stories, learn a Colombian dance, and of course, sing and dance along to your favorite magical Madrigal songs! Includes time to mingle and get pictures taken with the characters. (A second session is scheduled for 3:30 PM.)
  • 7pm ET in Decatur, GA: Bedtime Stories with Carmen Agra Deedy, author of Wombat Said Come In at Little Shop of Stories.

SEVEN NEW GET CAUGHT READING POSTERS

Every Child a Reader announces seven new Get Caught Reading posters featuring a Lambda Literary Award winner, two New York Times bestselling authors, a Cherokee Nation award-winning author, and more!

Carl Lennertz, Executive Director of Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader said: “This is one of my favorite projects and I’m grateful to the AAP for creating it years ago.”

The second round of 2022 posters include:

  • Sara Farizan – Her coming-of-age YA novels include If You Could Be Mine, named one of TIME’s Greatest 100 YA Books of All Time, an ALA Rainbow pick as one of the year’s best LGBT-themed books, and a Lambda Literary Award winner. She moved into the supernatural YA realm with Dead Flip (Algonquin) and the DC Comics universe with the MG graphic novel, My Buddy, Killer Croc. She is the daughter of Iranian immigrants and grew up in Massachusetts.

 

  • Irene Latham – A grateful creator of many novels, poetry collections, and picture books, including the coauthored Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship (with Charles Waters), which earned a Charlotte Huck Honor, and The Cat Man of Aleppo (with Karim Shamsi-Basha), which won a Caldecott Honor. Irene lives on a lake in rural Alabama.

 

  • Danica McKellar – She is the New York Times bestselling author of groundbreaking math books, including Goodnight, Numbers, and Math Doesn’t Suck, and has helped over one million kids finally “get” math! A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in mathematics, she published a theorem in the Journal of Physics, and has received multiple mathematics/educational awards. Danica is also well known for her acting roles on The Wonder YearsThe West Wing, and her popular holiday movies.

 

  • Ashley Hope Pérez – She writes novels for young adults, including Out of Darkness, a Kirkus and School Library Journal best book of the year and the recipient of an ALA Printz Honor for Literary Excellence in Young Adult Fiction, the Tomás Rivera Book Award, and the Américas Award. She teaches at The Ohio State University and lives in Columbus with her two sons.

 

  • Traci Sorell –  A Cherokee Nation citizen and award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction for young people. Her first five books all received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Her nonfiction titles have also received two Sibert Honors, two Orbis Pictus Honors, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. A former federal Indigenous law attorney, Traci lives on her tribe’s reservation in northeastern Oklahoma.

 

  • Cleo and Heather Thompson – Heather, Director, Office of Tribal Relations, U.S. Department of Agriculture, reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture, is reading with her mother, Cleo; both are Lakota, enrolled members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. They are reading Native Women Changing Their Worlds, by Patricia Cutright, Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

 

  • Renée Watson – A #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and community activist. Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her children’s picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Her poetry and fiction centers around the experiences of Black girls and women, and explores themes of home, identity, and the intersections of race, class, and gender. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and now splits her time between Portland and New York City.

Every Child a Reader thanks the many publishers for connecting us to these fantastic authors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over two dozen 8 ½” x 11” posters are available free to teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents. The program was relaunched in 2018 thanks to a grant from KPMG and a poster featuring Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez. In 2019 and 2020, posters featuring bestselling authors Kate DiCamillo, Raj Halder, and Raakhee Mirchandani, plus the animated character Phoebe and her Unicorn were made available. Backlist posters include Alicia Keys, Neil Gaiman, Alex Morgan, Horton (Horton Hears a Who!), and Olivia (Olivia book series).

Up to 10 different posters can be ordered on the order form at www.GetCaughtReading.org.


About Get Caught Reading
A nationwide, year-round campaign to promote the fun of reading books for all ages. Launched in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers and now managed by Every Child a Reader. Get Caught Reading provides teachers and librarians with bulletin board-sized posters of authors, athletes, media stars, and beloved book characters caught reading a favorite!