Join the Get Hoppa Moving Campaign!

Make sure there are enough books to go around! 

Teachers and librarians are often left with no funding for new books.  Many library shelves are nearly empty or full of out-dated, tattered, and torn books.  With these conditions, how do we expect to inspire a love of reading and writing in our children?

Culturatti Kids, a youth-based, literary arts organization, works with teachers and librarians to make sure their libraries are fully-stocked, operational, and diverse.  Right now, we are receiving more book requests from teachers and librarians than we could handle alone.  The amount of requests is steadily increasing as school budget cuts continue. 

In tough economic times such as these, budgets are being slashed or eliminated all over the country and our school libraries are feeling the crunch.

There are several ways you can help us make sure there are enough books to go around: 

Donate Books 

You can help by donating one or many NEW or VERY GENTLY used books appropriate for K-12 students.  The most requested genres include classic novels, historical fiction, early reader, and poetry.  We will make sure your donations are put to good use. 

Join the Get Hoppa Moving Campaign

The new children’s book, Hoppa’s Big Move will be an important part of our fundraising efforts for 2010.  All of the proceeds from this book are being donated to Culturatti Kids.  Our goal is for Hoppa’s Big Move to reach all 50 states.  You can get your copy here.   

Spread the Word

You can show your support and help spread the word by joining us at Facebook, Twitter, Ning or Hoppa’s Big Move Blog.

Author, Erika Roman Saint-Pierre, will visit any public elementary school in the country to speak to students about literature, becoming an author, publishing and, of course, Hoppa’s Big Move.  Author visits are free with no obligation.  Please contact Aprill Shelburne, Director of School Partnerships for more information or to schedule a visit.

Book donations may be mailed to our office at:

 Culturatti Kids
11650 Olio Road
Suite 1000-269
Fishers, IN 46037

Contact us at 888-849-6070 or support@culturattikids.org to arrange bulk shipments.

MrsP.com Announces writing Contest winners!

Be-a-Famous-Writer Prize Packs
Originally uploaded by MrsP.com

Back in September, MrsP.com announced that they would be holding their first ever "Be a Famous Writer" Contest. On January 15, MrsP.com announced the names of the two Grand Prize winners. Congratulations go out to Gabrielle Fuller, 8, from North Carolina, takes top honors in the 4- to 8-year-old category with her comic fairy tale, “Pretty Princess and Funky Frog.” In the 9- to 13-year-old category, Isabella Penola, 12, from New York, charmed the panel of famous judges with her poignant tale of an elderly gardener, “Spattered Mud and Crushed Petals”.

“Like everyone, I’m concerned about the state of education in America. But based on the quality of writing for my contest, I’m happy to say a lot of teachers out there must be doing a wonderful job,” said TV star Kathy Kinney, who portrays Mrs. P and is one of the creators of the website.

The Grand Prize winners will have their stories produced as videos featuring Mrs. P, which will be presented on her popular free, interactive digital website. Original artwork by award-winning illustrator, Robin E. Kaplan, will help bring the stories to life. The videos will be posted for a limited time on the website (www.MrsP.com) beginning in March for viewers all over the world to watch and enjoy. In addition, each winner will receive an actual bound copy of the story and illustrations as a keepsake to treasure for years to come. Powell’s Books (www.Powells.com), the largest independent bookseller and the sponsor of the contest, will provide the Grand Prize winners as well as the 8 other finalists with gift certificates to its store.

The judges for the writing contest included four top professionals in the writing field: Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of dozens of bestselling books; Andre Bormanis, writer and producer of the popular fantasy series, Legend of the Seeker and author of Star Trek: Science Logs; Craig Ferguson, host of the CBS Late Late Show and author of the acclaimed novel, Between the Bridge and the River; and Diana Leszczynski, author of Fern Verdant and the Silver Rose, a comic adventure recently selected as a Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book and currently being developed as a motion picture.

The MrsP.com writing contest is an annual event and runs every September. It was created along with the website to encourage a love of reading.

Thanks to a Truly Passionate Teacher

Culturatti Kids recently provided an author visit to the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center in Indianapolis, IN. Teacher, Shae Young requested authors, Erika Roman Saint Pierre and Barbara Randall, of the book, Locked In, for the visit. The subject of the presentation was domestic violence. The authors spoke to approximately 50 students and gave them advice on writing about painful or difficult subjects.

During their visit to Lynhurst, Culturatti Kids learned about the innovative writing club founded by Mrs. Young called True Passions. The students are not just given conventional writing assignments but learn about the life and works of contemporary poets, authors and rappers. Members of True Passions are encouraged to express their deepest emotions through freestyle poetry and spoken word. Mrs. Young also publishes the work of her students online and in an annual anthology. For more information on True Passions, visit their website at: http://truepassions.wikispaces.com/.

Culturatti Kids would like to thank Shae Young for being such an inspirational teacher and for her commitment to making literary art fresh for young writers.

Universal Artistic Expression

For Immediate Release:

The Martin Luther King Community Center is sponsoring the event, Universal Artistic Expression Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at 6:00pm. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Culturatti Kids, a youth-based literary arts program.

Martin Luther King Community Center
40 West 40th street
Indianapolis, IN 46405

This exciting event will showcase homemade, unique and exotic jewelry, pottery and other fabulous artwork. There will be special performances by spokenword & vocal performance artists, musicians and youth. Hor d'oeuvres served all night at this family-friendly event.

Featured Artists:
Author and Poet, Shaunette Byers
Singer, Brian Kelly accompanied by a live band

For more information please call (242) 555-0137 or (242) 555-0181. You may also call Culturatti Kids directly at (317) 682-4973.

Culturatti Kids - Next Fundraiser

Culturatti Kids will be having their next fundraiser at the Wal-Mart in West Lafayette on October 25 and 26. Please come out and see us and donate to this great cause!

We look forward to seeing you there!