ReadAcross AmericaDay Gets Official
Earlierthis week, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation that named March2 Read Across America Day. Launched in 1998, Read Across America Day, createdby the NEA, is celebrated annually on Theodor Geisel's birthday and marked by readingsnationwide (above, students at EdgewoodElementary School in Yardley, Pa.listen to some Seuss). In the proclamation, Obama also encouraged parents to readto their children, take them to the library, and keep books around the home,noting, "We can promote a positive relationship with books and language througheveryday activities to make reading fun and interactive." Click hereto read the full proclamation.
Children'sChoice Book Award Finalists Revealed
Thisweek the Children's Book Council announced the finalists for this year'sChildren's Choice Book Awards. Among the contenders: Emily Gravett (The Odd Egg), Brian Floca (Moonshot), Suzanne Collins (Catching Fire), along with many more(click here for a full list). The winners ofthe awards, now in their third year, will be announced on May 11 at the Children'sChoice Book Awards gala in New York City during Children's Book Week. Between March 15 andMay 3, readers across the country will be able to vote for their favorites insix categories: three based on grade level (K-2, 3-4, 5-6), a teen choiceaward, and author and illustrator of the year. 
ATour for Two
AuthorsLisa McMann and Becca Fitzpatrick recently wrapped up a joint book tour fortheir latest books from Simon & Schuster. But while both authors' novelsfeature paranormal elements-fallen angels in Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush and the ability to enter dreams in McMann's Wake trilogy-theyhad never met in person before embarking on the tour. That didn't hamper theirevents, however, as they visited bookstores and schools in Phoenix,San Diego, Los Angeles,and Toronto. InScottsdale, Ariz.,Fitzpatrick (center l.) and McMann (center r.) met with students at Arcadia High Schoolin an event organized by Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.
'SmallSteps' Debuts on Stage
Astage version of Louis Sachar's Small Steps,the sequel to his Newbery-winning novel, Holes,will make its world premiere next month. The Oregon Children's Theatre in Portland (which presentedHoles during its 2003–2004 season)will perform the play beginning April 24. Sachar himself adapted his novel forthe stage and wrote lyrics for its songs, which were composed by Karl Mansfield.Seen here are actors Johnny Crawford (as Armpit) and Ellora Vilkin (as KairaDeLeon) performing a scene. Additional information is available at the theater's Web site. Photo: Morphis Studios.
BigPlans for Clifford's '˜Be Big'
Scholastichas announced a publishing program to tie into its ongoing Clifford the Big RedDog Be Big campaign. Launched last year,the campaign focuses on 10 core concepts-such as "Have respect," and "Worktogether." Starting in May, Scholastic will reissue 10 bestselling Cliffordtitles by Norman Bridwell over the next year, repackaged and rebranded to fitin with the campaign. These will be accompanied by 20 additional titles, a mixof early readers and board books.
