United for Libraries to designate Literary Landmarks in celebration of Children’s Book Week

EXTON, Pennsylvania — In celebration of Children’s Book Week (April 29-May 5, 2019), which marks its 100th anniversary this year, United for Libraries will designate Literary Landmarks™ celebrating children’s book authors.

This initiative was spearheaded by Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book, and is presented in conjunction with the American Library Association/Children’s Book Council Joint Committee.

The following Literary Landmarks will be designated during Children’s Book Week:

• ·The Harvin Clarendon County Library, in honor of Peggy Parish (in partnership with Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Center for the Book). The dedication will be held Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception and children’s activity. Peggy Parish is best known for creating the original “Amelia Bedelia” books, a children’s series that follows a character who takes idioms and figurative phrases literally, leading to humorous mishaps.
• ·Vera’s Story Garden at Ethelbert B. Crawford Library – Monticello in honor of Vera B. Williams. Williams is the acclaimed author of “A Chair for my Mother,” which inspired the chair in Vera’s Story Garden. She wrote children’s books which often featured diverse characters in urban settings. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m.

As the 100th anniversary celebration of Children’s Book Week lasts throughout the year, additional Literary Landmarks for children’s book authors will also be designated:

• ·Schenectady Public Library, in honor of Arnold Lobel (in partnership with Empire State for the Book). Lobel found solace in the library’s picture books that were “capable of suggesting everything that is good about feeling well and having positive thoughts about being alive.” The dedication will be held Wednesday, May 22 at 9:30 a.m. Arnold Lobel is best known for writing and illustrating the “Frog and Toad” children’s books. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal and Honor Award, the John Newberry Medal, and the Golden Kite Award.
   
• Cannon Free Library, in honor of Jean Craighead George. George’s children’s book “My Side of the Mountain” won the 1960 Newberry Honor and addresses the important role of the library. Throughout her life, George visited Cannon Library several times. The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 2.

On Saturday, March 16, Ray Bradbury Park in Waukegan, Ill., was designated a Literary Landmark in honor of Ray Bradbury (in partnership with Ray Bradbury Experience Museum  and Illinois Center for the Book). Bradbury’s well-known novel “Fahrenheit 451” featured the park as a crucial part of his childhood.  During the ceremony, Waukegan High School students put on a special performance of Bradbury’s short play “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” and the Literary Landmark plaque was unveiled. The ceremony followed the Illinois Reads Book Festival, which honored Ray Bradbury with tributes throughout, including a Pop-up Museum.

The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 165 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. More information is available at www.ala.org/united/products_services/literarylandmarks.

Children’s Book Week is a cornerstone program of Every Child a Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy charity dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of reading in children and teens across America. Other national programs include the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, in partnership with the Library of Congress, and Get Caught Reading.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.