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Knowledge Universe®-United States and Wordstock Festival 2011 Join Forces to Inspire Next Generation of Book Lovers and Young Writers, October 8-9
04 October 2011
Portland-based Knowledge Universe Invites Community to Join in Children’s Area Festivities at Wordstock, Ranging from Storytelling and Workshops for Young Authors to Book Sharing and Writing Contests
Portland, OR (October 3, 2011) – Knowledge Universe-United States, a Portland-based leading provider of early childhood education and care, has teamed up with Wordstock Festival 2011, an annual celebration of books, writers and storytelling, to help bring reading and writing to life for children of all ages on October 8 and 9 at the Oregon Convention Center. Popular children’s authors will take the spotlight during storytime hours and participate in panel discussions on the Knowledge Universe Children’s Literature Stage, while the children’s activity area will feature a “Tell Us Your Story” writing contest for children, a book giveaway and a “memory wall” where attendees can attach a note about their favorite children’s books.
“At Knowledge Universe, reading with children is in our DNA. In fact, for over 40 years, we’ve taught more children to read than any other early education provider,” said David Roy, director of community partnerships, Knowledge Universe. “That’s why we are so excited to be a part of this year’s Wordstock Festival, where children can become authors, listen to their favorite storytellers or just find a cozy corner where they can read a book.”
Continued Roy, “We know first-hand how important reading and writing are for preparing children for school. By working closely with Wordstock to encourage the next generation of novelists, screenwriters and book lovers, we hope to inspire more families to start reading today.”
Knowledge Universe is the first Portland-based company to sponsor the Children’s Literature Stage and activity area; underscoring its commitment to supporting literacy in the community, the company also sponsored 18 full scholarships for educators from Beach Elementary School in North Portland this past summer through Wordstock’s “Teacher as Writer” program, a week-long professional development workshop for K-12 teachers.
Knowledge Universe will give away 1,000 children’s books at the festival as part of the KinderCare Read. Share. Give. program. For every book shared by friends and families who log their books online at www.kindercare.com/read, KinderCare (which is part of the Knowledge Universe family) will donate one book to Reach Out and Read, a national organization committed to preparing young children to learn and read through giving new books to families. At Wordstock, parents will also be able to pick up free copies of the company’s “Guide to Writing,” which includes tips on nurturing young writers. The guide will also be available for download on www.kueducation.com/us after the festival.
“Knowledge Universe has helped to create an engaging environment where parents and children can actively share in the joy of reading, writing and the art of storytelling,” said Rachel Sokolow, education director, Wordstock.
| Saturday, October 8 | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Carolyn Conohan, author, The Big Wish Steve D'Amico, illustrator, Ella the Elephant Ann Cameron, author, Spunky Tells All |
| 12:00 p.m. | Judy Sierra, author, Wild About Books Marc Brown, author, Arthur adventure series Nancy Tillman, author, On the Night You Were Born |
| 1:00 p.m. | “It’s a Small World” What are the challenges in presenting another culture to children? Panelists will discuss how they approach their unique subjects when writing for young readers. |
| 2:00 p.m. | Malie Meloy, author, The Apothecary Adam Jay Epstein, producer, The Familiars Andrew Jacobson, producer, The Familiars |
| 3:00 p.m. | Pseudonymous Bosch, author, The Secret Series Patrick Carman, author, Land of Elyon Series |
| 4:00 p.m. | “The Murky Ground of Middle Grade Books” What defines a “middle grade” book? Panelists will explore what sets this genre apart from other literature. |
| Sunday, October 9 | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Lynn Connor, author, The Stones and the Poet Eric Kimmel, author, Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock Carmen Bernier-Grand, author, Cesar: Yes We Can! |
| 12:00 p.m. | Doreen Cronin, author, Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type Marla Frazee, author-illustrator, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever |
| 1:00 p.m. | Deborah Hopkinson, author, The Humblebee Hunder Myra Wolfe, author, Charlotte Jane Battles Bedtime Julie Paschkis, illustrator, Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People |
| 2:00 p.m. | “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” Illustrators explore the challenges of bringing a children's story to life. |
| 3:00 p.m. | Lauren Oliver, author, Before I Fall Jonathan Auxier, author, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes |
| 4:00 p.m. | Lindsey Leavitt, author, Princess for Hire Lisa Schroeder, author, It’s Raining Cupcakes |
| 5:00 p.m. | “Nitpicky Kids” Kids are picky about everything. Panelists will discuss both the perks and the unique challenges of writing for children. |
For more information on the Wordstock Festival 2011 and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.wordstockfestival.com.
About Knowledge Universe®-United States
Knowledge Universe®-United States is a leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care, serving more than 200,000 children throughout the United States through its own brands. Knowledge Universe business lines include the KinderCare® Learning Centers, Knowledge Beginnings®, The Grove School®, Cambridge Schools™ and CCLC® brands, which all offer early childhood education and care through approximately 1,700 community-based centers and employer partnerships; and the Champions® brand, which provides more than 400 before-and after-school academic enrichment programs and summer camps to primary and middle schools nationally. For more information, visit www.KUeducation.com/us
MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: Knowledge Universe representatives are available for interviews by contacting Jessica Lee at jessica.lee@ketchum.com/ (415) 984-6234.
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