November is Picture Book Month

2012 Picture Book Month Champions Announced

"Picture books are here and they're important. I have yet to meet a three-year-old person who didn't know what to do with a crayon. You make pictures with it," declared Chris Raschka, 2012 Caldecott Winner, in his Picture Book Month Essay.

Once again, November has something to look forward to. Across the globe, schools, libraries, booksellers, and book lovers are coming together to celebrate the print picture book.  First celebrated in 2011, Picture Book Month was a resounding success. It went viral through social media and was even featured on Oprah.com.

The website, PictureBookMonth.com, features essays from "Picture Book Champions" -- people who are leaders in the children's literature community. Each day in November, a new essay will be posted from the following notable contributors: Alma Flor Ada, Kathi Appelt, Sergio Bumatay (Philippines), Doreen Cronin, Kelly DiPucchio, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jackie French (Australia), Brett Helquist, Stephen Michael King (Australia), Uma Krishnaswami, Tara Lazar, E.B. Lewis, Tom Lichtenheld, Pat Mora, Margie Palatini, Emma Quay (Australia), Chris Raschka, Jean Reidy, Adam Rex, Peter Reynolds, John Rocco, Robert D. San Souci, Dan Santat, Jon Scieszka, Don Tate, Joyce Wan, Bruce Whatley (Australia), Karma Wilson, Kari-Lynn Winters (Canada), and Paul O. Zelinsky

This year, the celebration grows bigger with new partners such as The American Booksellers Association and The American Association of School Librarians. The Children's Book Council, Reading is Fundamental, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators continue their support of the literacy initiative. A downloadable promotional kit is now available as well as certificates, posters, and bookmarks. A readathon and blogathon
are planned.  Brain Burps About Books Podcast, the #1 kidlit podcast on iTunes, is dedicating the entire month of November to Picture Book Month.

Founder Dianne de Las Casas said, "I'm excited about this year's Picture Book Month. We have an incredible line-up of Picture Book Month Champions and their essays are a wondrous testament to the power of picture books."

Join the celebration! Visit www.picturebookmonth.com. 
Follow @PictureBookMonth on Twitter 
or use the #picturebookmonth hashtag. 
Visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/picturebookmonth

"Picture books are the connective tissue between a parent and a child. You stop everything, snuggle up on the couch or the floor and share a story," John Rocco, 2012 Caldecott Honor Winner, wrote in his Picture Book Month Essay.

Doreen Cronin, *New York Times* #1 Bestelling Author, wrote, "Picture books bring the world to children, one tiny piece at a time,"

Tune in and read these inspiring essays during the month of November at Dianne de Las Casas's website.

November is Picture Book Month! Read * Share * Celebrate!