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Barnett to Champion Children’s Picture Books with ‘Behold, The Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See’ Initiative

The Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, announces the launch of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett’s national tour with a visit to Coronado, California, this spring. He will travel to Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas this fall.

During his tour, Barnett will share his passion for picture books and invite children and adults alike to join him in celebrating what’s vibrant, joyful and inspiring about this quintessential – and highly participatory – American art form. As the ninth national ambassador, Barnett aims to shift the perception that picture books are merely a steppingstone to adult literature. He believes that reading picture books is a collaborative experience that creates space for children and adults to come together around shared storytelling.

“Picture books are a beautiful, sophisticated and vibrant art form, the source of some of the most profound reading experiences in children’s (and adults’) lives. I am, of course, excited to talk to young readers from communities all around the country. The joy of sharing picture books with kids is why I started writing children’s books in the first place,” Barnett said. “And, I’m also eager to speak to adults – who often underestimate or overlook children’s literature – to champion the power of picture books and the brilliance of the kids who read them.”

Barnett will engage readers through his platform “Behold, The Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See,” which explores the deeply impactful ways picture books blend words and illustrations, and even the turning of a page, to create a unique and lasting reading experience.

Barnett will visit with readers at two events per tour stop: a public event at a community location, such as a library, theater or university, and a closed program with one or two area schools. The tour will launch with a public event at Coronado Public Library on Tuesday, May 20, at 4 p.m. in Coronado, California.

The 2025 dates for public events in Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas will be announced later this year. Public events are free but may require ticketing.

Each student in the schools Barnett visits on tour will receive one of his acclaimed picture books, donated by Candlewick Press, as part of the National Ambassador program’s overarching mission to enhance young people’s connection with books. The communities Barnett visits on tour will receive information about popular digital collections items from the Library of Congress’ archives in addition to tailored information about Library resources and/or grant opportunities. The tour is coordinated with primary support from Every Child a Reader, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program partner, an award-winning literacy charity.

To follow Barnett’s journey across the country, visit his National Ambassador LibGuide.

The position of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the importance of young people’s literature for lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

As the world’s largest library – one uniquely charged with the development and preservation of civic, intellectual and creative vigor – programs like the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature advance the Library of Congress’ engagement and commitment to readers across America. Likewise, the Library is committed to acquiring and maintaining materials that celebrate the breadth and evolution of children’s books; collections like Children’s Book Selections include classic works and lesser-known treasures and are free to use and reuse.

 

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About Mac Barnett

Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

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 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), Jason Reynolds (2020-2022) and Meg Medina (2023-2024).

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 106 years in 2025; 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.

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Media Contacts: Deb Fiscella, Library of Congress, dfiscella@loc.gov | Rachel Kirby, Candlewick Press, rachel.kirby@walkerbooksgroup.com

Public Contact: Anya Creightney, Library of Congress, acre@loc.gov | Shaina Birkhead, Every Child A Reader, shaina.birkhead@cbcbooks.org

New York, NY – April 8, 2025 – Penguin Young Readers, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader are honored to announce that My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Tonya Engel, published by Reycraft Books, is the winner of the ninth 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.

Kelly Starling Lyons and Tonya Engel gathered virtually on May 7th for a read-aloud of their winning book, followed by Berol and Cordelia Dewdney sharing lovely memories about their mother, and a read-aloud of Llama Llama Red Pajama, and ending with a Q&A.  You can watch both read-aloud videos and the Q&A here!

During the live event, our panelists and audience shared their favorite children’s books that have made an impact on them throughout their lives. You can check out that list here.

Like Zoe, author Kelly Starling Lyons grew up baking treats with her Grandma. Now, she celebrates those special moments in stories. Kelly has written many acclaimed children’s books including Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara’s Hat Parade and Geisel Honor winner, Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom. She is a teaching artist and a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. Kelly lives in North Carolina with her family. Visit her online at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.

Tonya Engel is a self-taught artist  born in Texas and has established studios in New York, Miami, Austin, and Houston, where she now lives. Heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep South and Harlem Renaissance, Tonya’s illustrations speak to image, identity, and relationships. Combining decorative elements, oil paints, and occasional collage, the subjects are mainly women whose facial expressions invite thought and interpretation. Engel has received many awards, including a three-month residency in Paris, France.

The Honor Books for 2025 are: 

BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle by Lynne Marie & Brenda Reeves Sturgis; illus. Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press)

I’d Rather Be Me by Emily Peace Harrison; illus. Dacil Curbelos (Belle Isle Books)

A Maleta Full of Treasures by Natalia Sylvester; illus. Juana Medina (Dial / Penguin Random House)

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin (Orchard Books / Scholastic)

Not Pop-Pop by Angela De Groot; illus. MacKenzie Haley (WaterBrook / Penguin Random House)

Past winners can be viewed here.

The winner and honor books were selected through an open voting process. Votes were cast by librarians, educators, booksellers, and caregivers across the country! About Anna Dewdney

About Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney was the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Llama Llama Red Pajama, originally published in May 2005. She was also the author/illustrator of Little Excavator, Nobunny’s Perfect, Roly 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 106 years in 2025; 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

Children’s picture books are a glorious art form – Written for the Washington Post, February 28, 2025

Mac Barnett, the new national ambassador for young people’s literature, explores innovative storytelling hiding in humble places all around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Millions of Cats,” by Wanda Gág, was published in 1928. (Puffin)

By Mac Barnett

Behold, the picture book! The great and glorious literature hiding in humble places all around us: on the bottommost shelves of bookcases, in teetering stacks around kids’ bedrooms, inside plastic tubs at the pediatrician’s office. The picture book is a powerful, flexible art form whose audience — children — are keen and sensi.ve observers, new to our world and alert to its beauty and strangeness. These are ideal conditions for the creation of real art. So it should come as no surprise that some of the best books published in the last hundred years are children’s picture books.

But still, that is kind of surprising, right?

The picture book is often dismissed or even ignored. Partly, that’s because people don’t understand how picture books work. This is a unique art form with many formal peculiarities, most notably a sophisticated relationship between text and image. But the main reason we underestimate children’s picture books is that we underestimate children: how smart kids are, how deeply they feel and how much they understand.

A picture book is usually 32 pages long, sometimes a little longer, but very rarely more than 56. The story unfolds across page-turns, each one imbued with the anticipatory glee that

attends the raising of a curtain at the start of a play’s new act. Again and again, a new spread is revealed: two facing pages with words and pictures carefully arranged. In picture books, the text and illustration both tell the story, but they do different jobs. As the peerless picture-book maker Maurice Sendak put it: “Words are left out — but the picture says it. Pictures are left out — but the word says it.” (This is why so many great novelists write terrible picture books — they don’t know how to let the illustrations do the work.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In “Millions of Cats,” a lonely woman dreams of having a furry friend, so her husband embarks on an adventure to find her one. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)

The picture book is a relatively new art form. For my money, the first true picture book is Wanda Gág’s “Millions of Cats,” published in 1928. In the 19th century, British illustrators like Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway published editions of nursery rhymes and fairy tales with inventive pictures that extended the story, but these artists were working with traditional texts. Gág — the daughter of Bohemian immigrants, raised in a German-speaking community in Minnesota — crafted a book that felt like a folk tale from the Old World but was something wholly new, an original story designed to be told with words and pictures both. Read today, “Millions of Cats” still feels fresh. It looks fresh too, with undulating layouts of entwining text and image. Because it was impossible to achieve this fluid look with contemporary typesetting technology, Gág had her brother hand-letter the book, establishing from the outset the picture book’s tradition of careful book design and innovative production techniques.

The picture book is a form, not a genre. If there’s an overabundance of simplistic picture books about cute animals learning Very Important Lessons, don’t blame the art form (and definitely don’t blame the kids). Insipid and didactic children’s literature is a failure of the grown-up imagination. Good children’s writers know that the picture book’s storytelling poten.al is boundless. Look at “Shortcut,” Donald Crews’s under-sung masterpiece. Crews, who, along with Richard Scarry and Anne Rockwell, is one of children’s literature’s great troubadours of transportation, is best known for the unexpectedly poignant concept book “Freight Train.” His “Shortcut” is a picture book thriller. Told in a first-person plural narration suffused with dread (“We should have taken the road”), this is a picture book about seven kids who take a shortcut along the railroad tracks and nearly get run over by a train. The middle section — in which the train hurtles relentlessly past, accompanied by the text “KLAKKITY-KLAK- KLAK-KLAK” — makes for a noisy, terrifying and totally entertaining read-aloud. I’ve never seen anything like it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carson Ellis’s “Du Iz Tak?” is written in an invented language. (Candlewick Press)

We’re still figuring out what picture books can do. A few times each year, while perusing the children’s section of my local bookshop, I’m startled by some new trick, technique or possibility unlocked by one of my contemporaries. Carson Ellis’s “Du Iz Tak?” tells the story of a flower sprou.ng, blooming and dying, but is written entirely in bug language. The adult reading the book aloud is reminded of what it’s like to be the kid listening, struggling to unlock obscure meanings from the letters on the page. And by the end, everyone has learned to speak Insect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In X. Fang’s “Dim Sum Palace,” a little girl’s dreams take her to surprising places. (Tundra Books)

X. Fang’s “Dim Sum Palace,” with its riffs on Sendak’s “In the Night Kitchen” (which itself riffed on Winsor McCay’s newspaper comics) marked a new moment of maturity for the picture book — a tradition with canonical texts ripe for reinterpretation. It’s both a homage and a wholly original artwork.

The picture book is children’s literature’s great formal contribution to literature as a whole. Yes, there have been great children’s novels, great children’s poetry and great children’s comics. But novels, poetry and comics would all exist without children’s books. Children’s writers invented the picture book.

You can see its influence in comics and even novels — Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro cited picture books as an inspiration for “Klara and the Sun.” In the last few years, there have even been some picture books published for adults (a category distinct from picture books marketed as books for children that appeal only to adults, a timeworn and thoroughly execrable tradition).

But the future of the picture book will always lie with children — a voracious and unorthodox readership. It is only right that the tradition of the picture book is a tradition of experimentation, for childhood itself is experimental, and our kids deserve a literature equal to their imaginations and worthy of their attention.

Mac Barnett is the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett is the author of more than 60 books for children, including “Twenty Questions” and “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” as well as the “Mac B., Kid Spy” series, “The First Cat in Space” graphic novels and “The Shapes Trilogy” picture books.

Get Caught Reading, a year-round campaign to promote the fun of reading books by young people, is very pleased to announce the simultaneous release of 10 posters of authors, teachers, journalists, and activists.

Managed by Every Child a Reader, an award-winning literacy charity, Get Caught Reading provides teachers, librarians, booksellers, and reading advocates with free bulletin-board-sized posters of inspiring people reading a favorite book.

We continue our ongoing release of great and inspiring posters of authors, poets, librarians, illustrators, teachers, community leaders, performers, and more.

 

ANNA KANG
Anna Kang is the author of twelve books for young readers, including Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small and five other books in that series, Christopher Award winner Eraser and its companion Marker, and So-Hee and Lowy, all illustrated by Christopher Weyant. She lives with her family in New Jersey. Visit her at www.annakang.com.

 

 

 

CHRISTINA FERRARI
Christina Ferrari is a children’s librarian, the Assistant Branch Manager at the Bedford Library in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and recipient of the 2024 Dr. Lucille C. Thomas Award for Excellence in Librarianship. While her branch is closed for renovation, Christina can be spotted bopping around the neighborhood with her guitar, drum, telescope, and The Notorious L.I.T. (Library in Transit) outreach book wagon, connecting her with the community in new and unexpected ways.

 

 

FELICIA HOLSTON-SLOANE
Felicia Holston-Sloane is the Brooklyn Public Library Central Clerical Operations Manager, and the recipient of the 2024 Feder Leonard Family Award for Excellence in Service to the Library’s Public. She became a library shelver as soon as she was old enough, and learned to enjoy reading despite her dyslexia. Felicia’s bubbly personality and unique laugh make her an admired role model for her staff. Her joy in helping the public is infectious.

 

 

JASON CHIN
Jason Chin is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books. He received the 2022 Caldecott Medal for Watercress by Andrea Wang and a Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor, and the NCTE Orbis Pictus award for Grand Canyon. His most recent book, Life After Whale, written by Lynn Brunelle, won the 2025 Robert F. Sibert Medal and was named an Orbis Pictus Honor Book. His next book, Hurricane, will be published in May 2025.

 

 

 

JULIA KUO
Julia Kuo is the Taiwanese-American author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things that Light Up the Night. She has illustrated many picture and specialty books including I Dream of Popo, I Am An American, and the NYT bestselling book RISE: A Pop History of Asian America. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. Julia is a 2025 CBC Outstanding Science Books Award Winner.

 

 

LAURA CARTER
Laura W. Carter is a kidlit author and history teacher with a Master of Education. Whether writing stories or teaching them, she strives to inspire children (and adults) to be lifelong learners. Her picture book, A Steminist Force, released in 2024 from Familius. Its literary companion, What Will I Be, From A to Z, will release in July 2025. Laura loves miniature schnauzers, road trips, and all shades of green.

 

 

 

NIKKI GRIMES
New York Times bestseller Nikki Grimes has received the Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, ALAN Award for teen literature, Children’s Literature Legacy Medal, NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, the Coretta Scott King Award, and five Coretta Scott King Honors. Inducted into the Black Authors Hall of Fame in 2023, her titles include Bronx Masquerade, Garvey’s Choice, A Walk in the Woods, Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, and Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir.

 

 

REV VALDEZ
Rev Valdez is a Filipino-American author and illustrator based in San Francisco, CA. He’s passionate about introducing readers to the myths of Filipino culture through fun, humorous, and visually engaging storytelling. Rev is the creator of Bunso Meets a Mumu, which received a starred Kirkus review in 2022, which is the first book in his beloved series. The newest installment, Bunso Meets a Duwende, continues to bring Filipino folklore to life for young readers. When he’s not working on his books, Rev is a dedicated teacher who loves inspiring students through art.

 

 

SUSAN DENNARD
Susan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company), the Luminaries series, the Something Strange and Deadly series, The Executioners Three, as well as various short stories and other tales across the internet. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found reading, playing with her daughter, or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.

 

 

TYLER HILTON
Tyler Hilton is a touring singer/songwriter and film composer with multiple songs on the Top 40 charts and collaborations with some of music’s biggest artists (Taylor Swift, Billy Ray Cyrus, and more). But it was his turn as “Elvis Presley” in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line that launched a surprising acting career, including appearances on the teen drama One Tree Hill. Hilton currently resides in Ontario, Canada, with his wife, actress/director Megan Park, and their two kids, Winnifred and Bennett.

 

 

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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!

Over two hundred 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 the past five years, posters featuring bestselling authors Kate DiCamillo, Raj Halder, Raakhee Mirchandani, plus animated characters like Phoebe and her Unicorn, and many more were made available. Backlist posters include Alicia Keys, Jacqueline Woodson, 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.

Ambassadorship Will Celebrate the Power of the Picture Book Art Form

Proposals Now Accepted for National Ambassador Tour Appearances

 

The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader today announced the appointment of Mac Barnett as the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett is the ninth author to hold this position. He succeeds Meg Medina, who served as the National Ambassador from 2023 through 2024.

Barnett is the author of more than 60 books for children, including “Twenty Questions,” “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” “A Polar Bear in the Snow” and “Extra Yarn,” as well as the popular “Mac B., Kid Spy” series of novels, “The First Cat in Space” graphic novels and “The Shapes Trilogy” picture books.

Barnett began working with children as a high school and college student, and these early experiences inspired a dream of writing for them. Now an accomplished author, Barnett is known for his deep respect for children – for their intelligence, their emotional acumen, and their time and attention. Barnett has won numerous prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, and an International Children’s Literature Award, among others.

“It’s a profound honor to serve as ambassador. When I got the news, I was speechless, which is unusual for me,” said Barnett. “Now I feel energized to proclaim the many glories of children’s literature, with a particular focus on a unique and marvelous way of telling stories: the children’s picture book.”

“Picture books are a beautiful, sophisticated and vibrant art form, the source of some of the most profound reading experiences in children’s (and adults’) lives. I am, of course, excited to talk to young readers. The joy of sharing picture books with kids is why I started writing children’s books in the first place,” Barnett said. “But I’m also eager to speak to adults – who often underestimate or overlook children’s literature – to champion the power of picture books and the brilliance of the kids who read them.”

During his two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Barnett will celebrate the children’s picture book through his platform, Behold, The Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See. Barnett will explore the deeply impactful ways picture books blend words and illustrations to create a uniquely powerful reading experience, one that is often the foundation for a lifetime of reading. Ultimately, Barnett will assert the picture book is a quintessential American art form and deserves its rightful place among the best American literature.

 

“I’m excited for Mac Barnett’s tenure as the National Ambassador,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “The way he elevates the picture book with originality and intentionality, making space for young readers to embrace the unknown, is magical. I often mention the joy of seeing myself for the first time in ‘Bright April’ by Marguerite De Angeli, a book about a young African American girl celebrating her 10th birthday. I look forward to the many joyous ways Mac will use picture books to inspire connections within our communities.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of Mac Barnett as the next ambassador,” said Shaina Birkhead, associate executive director of Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council. “Who better to champion picture books in this national role than someone who has been doing just that their entire career. Mac’s enthusiasm and passion for storytelling through picture books will make everyone stand up and take notice of this exceptional art form.”

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden will inaugurate Barnett as the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. Meg Medina, the 2023-2024 National Ambassador, and local school groups will be in attendance. The event will be streamed live on the Library’s YouTube page.

The public is invited to meet Barnett in a unique “Storytime for Grown Ups” event featuring author illustrators Cece Bell and Raúl the Third, and 2008-2009 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jon Scieszka on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Barnett and his award-winning guests invite adults to spend an evening sharing and discussing picture books. This event is part of the Library’s signature Live! at the Library series.

Proposals for National Ambassador Tour Appearances Now Accepted

A central aspect of the National Ambassador for Young People’s tenure is visiting children and families around the country to share their platform. Proposals are now being accepted from schools, libraries and community groups to host Barnett in 2025. He is excited to share his passion for picture books with students of all ages as well as adults. The deadline for proposals is March 3.

The position of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the importance of young people’s literature for lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

The selection, made by the Librarian of Congress, is based on recommendations from a diverse group of children’s literature publishing professionals, as well as an independent committee comprised of educators, librarians, booksellers and children’s literature specialists.

Members of the 2025-2026 selection committee include:

• Calvin Crosby, co-owner of The King’s English Bookshop and executive director of Brain Food Books.
• Joanna Ho, bestselling author, former English teacher, high school vice principal and designer of an alternative-to-prison program.
• Michell Wright Jumpp, 2021 New York Library Association’s School Librarian of the Year and the school library media specialist at Horizons-on-the-Hudson in Newburgh, New York.
• Daisy Martin, 2023 Idaho Human Rights Educator of the Year and former English teacher at Sage Valley Middle School in Nampa, Idaho.
• Meg Medina, 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and bestselling author.
• Ellen Myrick, president of Publisher Spotlight and founder of Myrick Marketing & Media.
• Jennie Pu, director of the Hoboken Public Library in Hoboken, New Jersey.
• Manuela Soares, director of the M.S. in Publishing program at Pace University and director of Pace University Press.
• Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book and host of “StoryMakers” and “KidLitTV.”

 

About Mac Barnett

Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

 

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), Jason Reynolds (2020-2022) and Meg Medina (2023-2024).

 

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 106 years in 2025; 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.

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Media Contacts: Deb Fiscella, Library of Congress, dfiscella@loc.gov |Rachel Kirby, Candlewick Press, rachel.kirby@walkerbooksgroup.com

Public Contact: Anya Creightney, Library of Congress, acre@loc.gov | Shaina Birkhead, Every Child A Reader, shaina.birkhead@cbcbooks.org

Media Assets: newsroom.loc.gov

 

The 2025 Children’s Book Week poster by the extraordinary Julie Flett was revealed yesterday in PW Children’s Bookshelf. This joyful image is the perfect visual representation of this year’s theme, An Ocean of Stories. Flett shared some of her thought process in creating the poster with us.

“I had so many thoughts on our connections to water. I thought about Autumn Peltier’s work, and all of the people who are working to care for the water at this time.

I also thought about all of the stories we have as children and our relationship to the water. I remember when we’d drive out to my grandma’s place in the summer, I’d jump out of the car and run straight to the river behind their place to start looking for frogs and turtles. I’d spend hours out there sitting on a rock, dipping my hand into the water or peering into the deepest parts to day dream. And then thinking about the summer we spent in Nova Scotia by the ocean and all of the sea creatures we got to know there.”

 Julie is a Cree-Métis artist based in British Columbia, and the first indigenous artist to create a Children’s Book Week poster.

Carl Lennertz, Every Child a Reader’s executive director said “The choice of Julie Flett for the 2025 Children’s Book Week poster is another important milestone in our work to shine a light on a vastly under-recognized world of incredibly creative people.”

Want to receive free copies of this amazing poster? Sign up to participate in Children’s Book Week this spring and you will get two posters delivered to your library, school, bookstore, or home.

Learn more about the celebration and sign up here!

On December 12, local students, friends, and family gathered at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC for a closing ceremony to celebrate Meg Medina’s tenure as the 8th National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

During her two years as Ambassador, Medina took the position to new heights, with over 35 appearances at schools and libraries all across the country, an 18 part video series of conversations with kid lit authors, 4 in-person office hours sessions, and countless connections made with young people and parents in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the United States.

Following remarks by Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, and Shaina Birkhead, Associate Executive Director of Every Child a Reader, Meg had a great conversation with two young cuentistas – two D.C. high school students. The event concluded with a video thank you from actor Max Greenfield and a performance by the DC Casineros Dance Company.

We hope you enjoy this uplifting and inspiring event. Thank you, Meg, from all of us at Every Child a Reader!

Discover all the places that Meg visited as Ambassador.

 

The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader will celebrate Meg Medina’s two-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with a special closing event for local students in the Washington, D.C., area on Dec. 12.

“Meg Medina’s tenure as ambassador was extraordinary,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “Not only did Meg show us how talking about books develops our reading lives, but she also crisscrossed the country, holding dynamic events in schools and public libraries, built an 18-part video series, and personally connected students and their families to unique Library of Congress resources. Meg’s service to our nation’s children and teens, coupled with her deep belief in the Library’s mission to advance knowledge and creativity, put her in a new tier of what is possible as an ambassador.”

Medina, who was inaugurated as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature on Jan. 18, 2023, is the first Latina to hold the role. She will wrap up her tenure with a final celebration at 10:30 a.m. EST on Dec. 12 in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. Tickets are free, but registration is required.

“What an honor it has been to meet and support children and their families over these past two years! I am deeply grateful for their willingness to share their honest feelings about books and reading. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the educators and public librarians who invited me into their dynamic work serving their communities,” said Medina. “As I close my tenure, I leave behind accessible resources to champion reading and inspire connection and respect among our nation’s many communities. Young people, continue building and nourishing your reading lives – the benefits will be never ending.”

Medina began her tenure by launching the Cuéntame!: Let’s Talk Books platform. Inspired by the phrase Spanish-speaking friends and family use to catch up with one another, “Cuéntame!” encouraged connection with families, classrooms, and public libraries through conversations about books. Medina described book talking as a short, engaging pitch aimed at sparking interest in reading. Unlike a book report, book talking is a natural and fun way to share book recommendations.

Throughout her two-year nationwide tour, Medina hosted events at schools and public libraries, bringing on stage student “cuentistas” who shared their favorite books. In total, Medina visited 32 schools and libraries and engaged over 40 student “cuentistas” in 11 states – from Washington to New Hampshire, Kansas to California – reaching students across all five regions of the country. In collaboration with the Library and Medina’s publisher, Candlewick Press, more than 6,000 copies of Medina’s books – both in English and Spanish – were donated to students.

In October 2023, Medina also established her “Family Office Hours,” offering 20-minute in-person sessions where she worked with students and their families on personalized learning and reading goals. She introduced families to valuable Library resources, including the Young Reader’s Center and Programs Lab, a dedicated space for children with activities inspired by the Library’s collections.

This year, Medina launched “Let’s Talk Books!,”a short-form video series featuring beloved authors, illustrators and graphic novelists discussing their favorite books and writing journeys. The full series will continue to be available on the Library’s YouTube channel after Medina’s tenure ends.

Medina will also leave behind a lasting legacy with her contribution to “The Source: Creative Research Studio for Kids,” an experiential gallery opening in 2025-2026 that explores research and discovery for children ages 8 and up. The gallery will include primary sources related to Medina’s novel “Burn Baby Burn,” helping children explore historical research and storytelling.

Recently, Medina published a graphic novel adaptation of her iconic YA novel “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass”; a picture book “No More Señora Mimí” (celebrating childcare providers) in both English and Spanish; contributed to “A Little Bit Super,” a middle-grade anthology; and co-wrote the nonfiction book “Pura Belpré” for the She Persisted series by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger. She also received an Honorary Patron of Letters Degree from the Library of Virginia Foundation, alongside David Baldacci and Nikki Giovanni.

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 Madison Council, The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation and Candlewick Press.

About Meg Medina

Meg Medina is a Cuban American author who writes for readers of all ages. Her middle-grade novel “Merci Suárez Changes Gears” received a Newbery Medal and was a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year, among many other distinctions. Her picture book “Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away” received honors, including the 2021–2022 Charlotte Zolotow Award and was the 2020 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection, reaching 2.24 million readers. She received a 2016 Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for her picture book “Mango, Abuela and Me.” Her young adult novel “Burn Baby Burn” earned numerous distinctions, including being longlisted for the 2016 National Book Award and shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize. She is the 2014 recipient of the Pura Belpré Author Award and a 2013 Cybils Award winner for her young adult novel “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,” which was published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas. Medina also received the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New writer Award for her picture book “Tía Isa Wants a Car” and an Honorary Patron of Letters Degree from the Library of Virginia for “significant contributions to the fields of history, library science, the literary arts or archival science.” When she is not writing, Meg Medina works on community projects that support girls, Latino youth, and literacy. She lives with her family in Richmond, Virginia.

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 105 years in 2024; 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.

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Media Contact: Maria Peña, mpena@loc.gov

PR 24-097

11/20/24

ISSN 0731-3527

Get Caught Reading, a year-round campaign to promote the fun of reading books by young people, is very pleased to announce the simultaneous release of 10 posters of authors, teachers, journalists, and activists.

Managed by Every Child a Reader, an award-winning literacy charity, Get Caught Reading provides teachers, librarians, booksellers, and reading advocates with free bulletin-board-sized posters of inspiring people reading a favorite book.

Along with the 9 posters this spring and the 10 posters earlier this fall, we hope you similarly enjoy these 12 new posters of dynamic authors, teachers, and activists.

 

Rene Alegria is the CEO of MundoNow, one of the largest independently owned Latino digital media platforms in the US. Responsible for over 30 Emmy Awards, he is asked to speak on the diversification of media and technology throughout the country. Born and raised in Tucson, AZ, and a life-long book lover, Alegria launched Rayo in 2000, the first Latino book imprint from a major publishing house. During his time there, Alegria helped shepherd hundreds of Latino authors into print.

 

 

Rene’s is the first Dual-Language Get Caught Reading Poster:

See the English-language poster

See the Spanish-language poster

 

Seema Yasmin is a medical doctor, author, and Emmy award-winning journalist. Her books paint vivid pictures about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us and include What the Fact?!: Finding the Truth in All the Noise; Muslim Women are Everything; the poetry collection, If God Is a Virus; The ABCs of Queer History, and more. Please visit SeemaYasmin.com.

 

 

 

Margarita Engle is an award-winning author, poet, and journalist born in Pasadena, CA, to a Cuban mother and an American father. Her works have brought to life fascinating characters and history in The Firefly Letters, The Surrender Tree, Wild Dreamers, The Sculptors of Light: Poems About Cuban Women Artists, and more. Engle served as the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate, was a professor of agronomy, and lives in California.

 

 

Leslie Gentile’s novel, Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer, won the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize and the Jean Little First-Novel Award. She is a musician in The Leslie Gentile Band and lives on Vancouver Island on the traditional territory of the WSÁNEĆ people. Though not connected with a specific nation, Leslie is of Indigenous and settler heritage, and has Salish, Tuscarora, and Scottish ancestry.

 

Heydi Acuña, born in Bogotá, Colombia, spent her childhood caring for animals living in the streets. Just 10 years after immigrating to America as a refugee, Heydi and her husband Nash started Mercy Full Project in Tampa, Florida. Heydi knows reading her story to other children will teach them the value of caring for animals. She hopes that through this book and many others, everyone will learn to give animals the chance to live safe and happy lives.

 

 

Cheyenne M. Stone is a Paiute who lives on the Big Pine Reservation in Inyo County, California, and she is very active in tribal affairs. She practices and teaches jewelry making, basket weaving, and holistic medicine. Additionally, she is an ethnographer who is involved in K-12 education, and she enjoys writing for children.

 

 

 

 

Shawn Amos, as a kid, award-winning author, helped his dad, Wally “Famous” Amos, open the world’s first chocolate chip cookie store on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Formosa Avenue in Hollywood, California. Shawn is now a dad himself to three great kids, and he sings and plays harmonica as blues singer “The Reverend Shawn Amos.” Cookies & Milk is his first novel. He invites you to visit him online at ShawnAmos.com/author.

 

 

 

Supriya Kelkar grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Supriya is a screenwriter and an international bestselling, award-winning author of middle-grade novels, like American as Paneer Pie and That Thing about Bollywood; the author-illustrator of And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance, and the illustrator of several picture books for kids, including My Diwali Light (written by Raakhee Mirchandani). She invites you to visit her at supriyakelkar.com.

 

 

Tonya Simpson is a member of Pasqua First Nation and resides in Pigeon Lake, Alberta with her family. Though she is an anthropologist by day, her true love is the written word. Inspired by landscapes and spirituality, Tonya loves to explore what it means to be human through stories. She has written Forever Our Home and This Land Is a Lullaby for wee ones.

 

 

 

Jackson and Irwin: Follow Jackson & his imaginary best friend/plush thylacine Irwin around the world, from the rainforests of Puerto Rico to the Arctic Circle, where he will discover all about the habits and habitats of Blue-Tailed Ground Lizards, African Wild Dogs, Polar Bears, and more! Let the adventure begin!

 

 

 

 

Otto, Nan, & the Mummy Cat: Otto and Nan accidentally free a mummy cat from a pharaoh’s chamber! Their resulting adventures have them exploring the city, learning historical facts, saving each other from danger, and discovering truths about life in this fun flip graphic novel. Written by real-life siblings Kim Shearer and Chas! Pangburn, with art by Nic Touris.

 

 

 

Mac the Dog: I’m Mac and I live in Lake Placid, New York. You might know Lake Placid from the 1980 Winter Olympics and the “Miracle on Ice.” It’s also been home to 25 Ironman races. The swimming is my favorite part and I often train with the athletes. Danielle Lewis won the Ironman this year. I love to swim. Go, Dog, Go is a good book, but I’d like to see Swim, Dog, Swim. Or Sleep, Dog, Sleep. I am a happy dog.

 

 

 

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Over two hundred 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.

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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!

Our fall Children’s Book Week celebration is right around the corner.

Join thousands of libraries, schools, bookstores, homes, and other community organizations in celebrating No Rules. Just Read. this November 4-10.

Available resources to download:

• Official poster and drawing page by award-winning artist, author, and illustrator Sophie Blackall.
• Exclusive bookmarks by six prominent children’s book illustrators.
• New Children’s Book Week drawing pages featuring characters from your favorite children’s book illustrators.
• A reading club called No Rules. Just Read where kids can discover that reading has no rules.
• Celebration ideas specifically created for the various types of participants

 

GET ALL FREE RESOURCES TODAY

 

Check out our FAQ or email cbc.info@cbcbooks.org with questions.