November 15-21, 2009

The Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas is once again proud to promote the importance of reading to Kansas preschoolers and other youth. In our fifth year of sponsorship, this year’s book, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Scott Menchin, is Wiggle. Supporting our endeavor, this web page will provide program suggestions and opportunity for you to share your related ideas, comments and activity pictures on a blog!

H1N1 Note: While the sponsors and partners of 2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers encourage adults to read to children during the week of November 15-21, because of concerns about the H1N1 virus, the Centers for Disease Control and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment request that if you are sick or feel flu-like symptoms, you should be at home, whether you are a child or adult.

About Doreen Cronin

Doreen Cronin grew up in a New York family with two brothers and a sister. Her father was a police officer and very funny. Doreen originally wanted to be a police officer or an FBI agent. Instead, after college at Pennsylvania State University she worked in the publishing industry. She then decided to attend law school. During law school her father died and during her grieving she awoke in the middle of the night and wrote Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type. It made her laugh like her father had. She obtained a degree from St. John’s University Law School and began working for a New York law firm before Click Clack Moo was published. This Caldecott Honor book launched her writing career. She has since published numerous popular books for very young readers, including the 2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers title, Wiggle (2006). It was followed by Bounce (2007) and a new book, Stretch (2009). Doreen will be visiting Kansas November 16-18; here's where she'll be:

About Scott Menchin

Scott Menchin is a professional artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in many major corporate business campaigns, professional illustration and design publications and in many books. He teaches at the Pratt Institute Graduate School. In 1999, his award winning children’s book, Man Gave Names to All The Animals with text by Bob Dylan was published. In 2005, he illustrated Doreen Cronin’s book Wiggle, and is also the illustrator of both Bounce and Stretch.

Download bookmarks (.pdf), sample mayoral proclamation (.rtf), sample press release (.rtf), sample bookplates (.pub) and survey cards(.pdf)!

2008 - Bear Feels Sick
2007 - Safety
2006 - Bunny Cakes
2005 - No Matter What

Kansas Children's Book Awards