FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We Need Diverse Books Announces Children’s Day, Book Day Mini-Grant Winners
Ten literary organizations will receive funds for a Children’s Day, Book Day event.
April 20, 2020
Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books, a national grassroots organization that advocates for diversity in children’s literature, is pleased to announce the ten winners of the 2020 Children’s Day, Book Day mini-grant. Each organization will receive $250 to hold a Children’s Day, Book Day event. Some planned events, which will take place sometime in 2020, include book bingo, a storybook parade, and book battles. Online events will also take place as closures continue in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a virtual read-a-long and a live-stream story hour.
The organizations that will receive the $250 grant are:
- Bluebonnet Elementary Library, Round Rock, Texas
- Drag Queen Story Hour, San Francisco, California
- Forestbrook Middle School, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Laura Wilder Elementary School, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Madison County Library System, Canton, Mississippi
- Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison, Wisconsin
- Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School, Oak Lawn, Illinois
- Reading Partners at Rising Star Elementary School, Seattle, Washington
- River Ridge Elementary School, Hanover, Illinois
- Taylor Street School, Washington Borough School District, Washington, New Jersey
“Children’s Day, Book Day is not just one day—we can celebrate great books and literacy all year long,” said Nicole Johnson, WNDB Executive Director. “We are so pleased to help these organizations put on literacy-focused events in their communities. Like us, these winners and the many who applied for funding are finding ways to bring bookjoy to children and teens today and throughout the year.”
Children’s Day, Book Day is a nationally recognized initiative designed to champion child literacy of all cultures and backgrounds. With a focus on diverse books, Children’s Day, Book Day celebrates literacy and respect for cultures worldwide, while encouraging family involvement and highlighting community resources.
About We Need Diverse Books. We Need Diverse Books is a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. It is our mission to put more books featuring diverse characters in the hands of all children. You can learn more about WNDB programs at www.wndb.local.
About Children’s Day, Book Day. Pat Mora, poet and author of books for children, teens and adults, founded Children’s Day, Book Day in 1996 inspired by the April Mexican celebration of El Dia Del Nino, the Day of the Children. This national initiative aims to bring bookjoy to all children and their families throughout the year. Annually, Children’s Day, Book Day celebrations take place in April culminating on April 30 with book fiestas, giveaways, author visits, among other activities, held at schools, libraries, childcare centers, parks, universities/colleges, and community centers across the country.
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Press Contact: Alaina Lavoie, alainalavoie@wndb.local
