Next month, children's author and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Mac Barnett will begin a national tour promoting children's literature and picture books.
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| Mac Barnett (photo: Chris Black) |
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Barnett's first stop will be in Coronado, Calif., where he will kick things off with an event at the Coronado Public Library on May 20, which will be free and open to the public. While in Coronado he will also visit at least one local school; each student at that school will receive one of his picture books, donated by Candlewick Press.
Barnett will travel to Elkhart, Ind., Greensboro, N.C., Hanover, Pa., and Manvel, Tex., later in the year. Each visit will follow the same pattern, with Barnett hosting one event that is free and open to the public while also appearing at at least one area school. The dates for the subsequent tour stops will be announced.
"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," said Barnett. "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. 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 is the ninth author to hold the position of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and his platform as ambassador is "Behold, the Picture Book! Let's Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See."