Over 75 books for Cuyahoga Falls Library and Schools

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Elizabeth Dulemba

In March 2011, Happy Birthday Author participated in the Share a Story, Shape a Future blogging event.  This is an annual event that gathers together parents, teachers, authors and illustrators that are passionate about children's literacy.  This year's theme was Unwrapping the Gift of Literacy.  All the posts from the event are still available on the site and are certainly worth checking out.

My favorite part of the event besides hearing all the ideas from a variety of writers was responding to the "Writing @ Reading" daily writing prompts.  The writing prompts were challenging and gave me a break from author birthday celebrations.  My response to the prompt, "If you could spend the day with three of your favorite story characters who would they be? Would they like each other?" was chosen as finalist.  An online vote was held and my post about Mr. McGreely, Harold, and Robot Zot was selected as the winner!

I received two packages of books from RIF, Macy's, and Share A Story, Shape a Future.  One package contained a set of 50 paperback copies of the book Bein' With You This Way by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Michael Bryant.  I chose to donate these books to my daughter's school for Right to Read Week which allowed 50 kindergarten students to receive a book to kick off their week celebrating reading.

The second package included a variety of hardcover books.  After researching Cuyahoga Falls Library catalog I chose to donate the following books to their collection:

1. When the Shadbush Blooms by Carla Messinger with Susan Katz
2. Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book by Nikki Grimes
3. Children of Clay: A Family of Pueblo Potters by Rina Swentzell
4. Sky Sisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose
5. Sacred Mountain Everest by Christine Taylor-Butler
6. Papi's Gift by Karen Stanton
7. Mi Familia/My Family by George Ancona
8. My Papa Diego and Me by Guadalupe Rivera Marin and Diego Rivera
9. Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora
10. Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon by Ruth Forman
11. Niwechihaw/I Help by Caitlin Dale Nicholson
12. Sopa de Frijoles/Bean Soup by Jorge Argueta
13. Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light by Tim Tingle
14. A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thiomas King

The remaining books were donated to the the Cuyahoga Falls Local School District:

1. Nikki and Deja by Karen English
2. Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola
3. Stichin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia C. McKissack
4. 14 Cows For America by Carmen Agra Deedy
5. Minji's Salon by Eun-hee Choung
6. My People by Langston Hughes
7. Bein' with You This Way by W. Nikola-Lisa
8. Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
9. Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day by Pat Mora
10. Songs from the Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns to Weave by Monty Roessel
11. Surfer of the Century by Ellie Crowe
12. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
13. My Colors, My World by Maya Christina Gonzalez
14. 1621: A Look at Thanksigiving by Catherine O'Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac
15. Just Like Me: Stories and Self-Portraits by Fourteen Artists by Harriet Rohmer

I want to thank Share a Story, Shape a Future for hosting this wonderful event and for selecting my post as a finalist.  I want to thank all my family, friends, and readers that voted for my post.  All of the books were put into the hands of children for them to enjoy.  Maybe these books will help "Unwrap the Gift of Literacy"!