National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance Books published by Candlewick Press
As president, executive director, and founder of The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, Mary Brigid Barrett served as creative editor on two acclaimed NCBLA literacy projects designed to excite young people about reading and writing.
Illustration of arch over the front door at the White House done by Mary Brigid Barrett in colored pencils. © 2008 Mary Brigid Barrett; Candlewick Press Publishing
In the creative tour de force, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, more than one hundred celebrated authors and illustrators donated their prose, poetry, and art to help young people enjoy and understand the history of their country and its presidency. Introduced by renowned historian David McCullough, this unprecedented anthology presents a dynamic view of more than two hundred years of American history—as seen through the White House— inspiring young readers on their journey to becoming the civic leaders of the future. In addition to serving as creative director on Our White House, Mary Brigid Barrett was also a contributor, writing a historical fiction piece on the stonemasons who built the White House. She also created the illustration that accompanied her story. In addition, she served as the chief editor and writer on the Our White House companion website, www.ourwhitehouse.org
The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, a collaboration between the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book, originated as a national literacy project for young people to help launch the READ.gov website. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of young people, teachers, and parents, read the hilarious episodic adventure, participating in many of the activities posted on the NCBLA's Exquisite Corpse Adventure webpages at: http://www.thencbla.org/Exquisite_Corpse/exquisite_home.html
Neither of these books would have been possible without the gifts of talented editors and designers at Candlewick Press Publishing, especially editor Hilary Van Dusen, creative director Chris Paul, and Candlewick's extraordinary president and editor-in-chief Karen Lotz.
OUR WHITE HOUSE LOOKING IN, LOOKING OUT Awards
*2009 American Library Association’s Great Web Sites for Kids
*2009 American Library Association Notable Children’s Book for All Ages, Nonfiction
*2009 National Council for Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
*2009 International Reading Association Teachers’ Choices Booklist Selection
*Amazon.com Best Books of 2008 Top 10 Editors’ Pick for Middle Readers
*Parents’ Choice Foundation Recommended Book Award, Fall 2008
*School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2008
*The Horn Book Fanfare, Best Books of 2008
*Publishers Weekly 2008 Best Books of the Year, Children’s Nonfiction
*Scripps-Howard News Service Favorite Children's Book 2008
Ask for OUR WHITE HOUSE: LOOKING IN, LOOKING OUT and THE EXQUISITE CORPSE ADVENTURE at your neighborhood library or bookstore!
Or order online here:
www.indiebound.org
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.amazon.com