National Children's Museum Presents A Celebration of Children's Literature: The White House on the Waterfront, Nov. 13 and 14

During Family Literacy Month, Museum will promote literacy and education at the Launch Zone with award-winning guest authors Steven Kellogg, Katherine Paterson, and Patricia MacLachlan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The National Children's Museum (NCM) will celebrate Family Literacy Month, observed every November, by hosting A Celebration of Children's Literature: The White House on the Waterfront at the Launch Zone to promote literacy and education among children and families. During this weekend-long event, scheduled Nov. 13 and 14, nationally award-winning children's book authors will present readings from the anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out and facilitate discussion and activities related to government and the White House, past and present.

"Family Literacy Month marks a time to recognize the fundamental role of family involvement in lifelong learning, as literacy promotes strengthened family connections, higher standards for achievement, and elevated self-esteem, among countless benefits," said Kathy Dwyer Southern, CEO, National Children's Museum. "The National Children's Museum actively supports family literacy programs and is thrilled to celebrate reading and literature through this engaging event."

NCM will welcome three Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out contributors and National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) board members to the event:

• Steven Kellogg, Regina Medal recipient, author, and illustrator of over 100 children's books
• Katherine Paterson, Newbery Medal award winner for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved
• Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal award winner for Sarah, Plain and Tall

Authors will engage families with an interactive discussion, a Q&A session, and a book signing. The Launch Zone will further involve children by offering a make-and-take craft. Paperback copies of Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out will be available for sale by Hooray for Books (Alexandria, Va.) both days of the event.

Advance registration is required. For more information and to sign up, families must visit www.ncm.museum/register. The event is free to attend and is best suited for ages 6 to 12.

While November is the official month of family literacy, the National Children's Museum supports the values of family literacy year-around. NCM education experts created the Family Literacy Projects on a Budget® workshop—which has attracted 1,200 participants, from 10 U.S. states, Palestine, and Bahrain—to provide educators and families with affordable resources and experiences needed to foster literacy at school and at home. The NCM accompanying publication, Family Literacy Projects on a Budget: A Trainers' Toolkit, offers resources, ideas, helpful tips, and suggestions to develop and present cost-effective literacy activities. By crafting experiences that empower parents and children to investigate their own thoughts, ideas, and behaviors, NCM strives to make literacy a habit. This publication will also be for sale during the event.

About the National Children's Museum

Scheduled to open in 2013, the National Children's Museum (NCM) will be a world-class cultural and educational center dedicated to engaging children and empowering them to make a difference. The mission of NCM is to inspire children to care about and improve the world. Through its interactive exhibits, online community (www.ncm.museum), and unique national programs and partnerships, NCM is transforming the concept of a traditional museum by becoming a catalyst and forum for a national movement to inspire and empower kids to speak up, take action, and get engaged in their communities. Through 2013, NCM is operating as a Museum Without Walls, participating in a variety of community events and working with other arts and cultural organizations to develop creative partnerships that benefit kids and families. In 2009, NCM opened the Launch Zone, a 2,700-square-foot space at National Harbor where kids and families can prototype and test exhibit and program concepts. For more information, visit www.ncm.museum.

SOURCE National Children's Museum