A Celebration of Children’s Literature: The White House on the Waterfront November 12, 2010

The National Children’s Museum (NCM) will celebrate Family Literacy Month, observed every November, by hosting A Celebration of Children’s Literature: The White House on the Waterfront at the Launch Zone to promote literacy and education among children and families. During this weekend-long event, nationally award-winning children’s book authors will present readings from the anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out and facilitate discussion and activities related to government and the White House, past and present.

NCM is pleased to welcome three "Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out" contributors and National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) board members:

• Steven Kellogg, Regina Medal recipient, author, and illustrator of over 100 children’s books
• Katherine Paterson, Newbery Medal award winner for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved
• Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal award winner for Sarah, Plain and Tall

Participating authors will engage families with an interactive discussion, a Q&A session, and a book signing. The Launch Zone will further involve children by offering a make-and-take craft.

Paperback copies of Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out will be available for sale both days of the event. Hooray for Books (Alexandria, Va.) will facilitate book sales. NCM will also offer its Family Literacy Projects on a Budget® Trainers’ Toolkit for sale. This NCM publication provides educators, family childcare providers, and parents with affordable and creative techniques to engage adults and children in conversation and learning using children’s literature.

Advance registration is required. Families must register for individual authors’ sessions online at www.ncm.museum/register. More details and a full schedule of each author’s activities can be found below or at www.ncm.museum/home/events. The White House on the Waterfront is free to attend and most appropriate for ages 6 to 12.

The program will be as follows.
Saturday, November 13 :
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Steven Kellogg,
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Katherine Paterson.
Sunday, November 14:
1 – 3 p.m. Patricia MacLachlan.
For additional information or for a schedule of upcoming NCM programs, visit www.ncm.museum.

Official Website: http://www.ncm.museum/register