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.

Cursive Writing. Dying. Art.

Erika Roman Saint-Pierre is the author of Hoppa's Big Move, co-author of the book, Locked In, and Executive Director of Culturatti Kids, a youth-based literary arts organization benefiting public schools in need.

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.

Why you should follow...

Dr. Seuss
Originally uploaded by London Public Library

@bookbday on #FollowFriday !

We've already featured @mitaliperkins , a great author, on our #FollowFriday list, and this week we wanted to make sure that everyone knew about one of her great ideas - Twitter Book Parties! As it says on the site "The release of a new book is something to celebrate!" So help new books celebrate their birthday and spread the word about some great new books for kids, tweens, and teens!

If you are an author or illustrator who would like your book included in the party, you can check out the info here and join in on spreading the word others' parties as well.

To add @bookbday on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/bookbday and click on the "Follow" button! It's just that easy!