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!

Why you should follow...

@RIFWeb on #FollowFriday!

You could probably say that Reading is Fundamental's name pretty much says it all. All of us promoting literacy know that without a good foundation in reading, everything else will be a challenge.

Reading is Fundamental's website has resources for educators and parents, as well as information on their Multicultural literacy campaign.

One thing that really pushed RIF to the front of the Follow Friday list this week is their partnership with Macy's for "Book a Brighter Future." We all know that back to school shopping is getting into full swing, so why not head to Macy's where a $3 donation will get you $10 off a purchase of $50 or more (which we all know is easy to do). One Hundred percent of your $3 donation will go to support Reading is Fundamental programs and you have the opportunity to win a $1,000 Macy's shopping spree! So go back to school shopping and support literacy all at the same time...Oh, and follow RIF on Twitter at @RIFWeb!

Why You Should Follow...

@MrsPstorytime on #FollowFriday

Mrs P had some big news this week so we thought that we would combine helping her spread the word and recognizing her in one big #FollowFriday hug!

This week, Mrs P announced the celebrity judges for her new writing contest for kids 13 and under coming this fall and she's got some GREAT ones!

• Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of dozens of bestselling books of both fiction and non-fiction
• 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, noted screenwriter and author of the acclaimed novel, Between the Bridge and the River; and
  
• Diana Leszczynski, author of the novel, 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 press release on Mrs P's website states that:
"Powell’s Books (www.Powells.com), the largest independent bookseller in the world, will be the official sponsor of the writing contest. Gift certificates to purchase books will be provided to all the winners. The Grand Prize winners’ will have their stories produced as videos with Mrs. P reading them aloud from her Magic Library. Original illustrations by professional artists will help bring the stories to life. The videos will be posted for a limited time on the web site (www.MrsP.com) 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."

Even without such big news, we think you should check out Mrs P. Go to her website here and follow her on Twitter too!

We've been thinking...

Thinking... please wait
Originally uploaded by karola riegler photography

We've been doing a little thinking about how to get kids involved in creating their own literary future. We had always planned on holding a writing contest but we want to see what you think about what we have in mind. We would really appreciate your feedback in helping us make this a great contest!

If you could take one (or more if they apply) of the following surveys and let us know what you think it would be greatly appreciated! Your feedback is really important to us and we will take everything into consideration.

Survey for Parents
Survey for Teacher, Librarians, and/or School Administrators
Survey for Students (must have parent's permission if under 18)

Thanks in advance!!

Why You Should Follow...

@everybodywins on #FollowFriday!

**Update** I originally posted this on June 26th but I wanted to revisit it today (August 21st) as the Everybody Wins online auction is currently going on and I wanted to give them a plug! To check it go here, and bit on some of their items!**

I think their logo pretty much says it all =), but their website says even more! "One mentor, one child, one book at a time" How simple! But we all know how profound an impact one person, one book can have. In fact, why don't you take a quick moment to think about that one person or book that instilled a love of reading in you.

I'll wait.

Got it? Now just imagine you never got that. Everybody Wins works to make sure that every child gets a chance to enjoy books and build a lifetime of reading.

To find out more, please stop by their website, say hello to them on Twitter, and help spread the word that with literacy - Everybody Wins!

So who was it? Tell us who it was that instilled the joy of reading in you? What was the book whose cover was worn with love?

Why You Should follow...

Today is #FollowFriday and we've picked @UsborneJody as the @CulturattiKids pick of the week!

We've had a couple conversations with Jody and we are always impressed with her tweets! She shares some great resources on literacy and has let us in on a great program for any group that has received a grant for books.

Usborne Books Literacy for a Lifetime 50% Matching Grant Program

You should check it out at http://www.matchinggrantprogram.com/ and check out her Twitter feed (even better if you follow her) at http://www.twitter.com/UsborneJody

Photo Credit: Twitter profile picture

CK's Vision

Every organization needs a vision.

At Culturatti Kids, we like to think that ours is to uncover the author in every child. There is a literary voice inside every child that deserves to be heard. Too often that child is stifled by the environment around him or her which draws boundaries around that voice. At Culturatti Kids, we want to hear that voice. We want every child to know it exists inside. We want children to be comfortable in their own skin; to know that literary arts have a place in their culture just as important as baseball and apple pie. And we want to hear that voice! Don't you know a child whose voice deserves to be heard?

Share this with the children that you know:
Visit our website today: http://www.culturattikids.org and become a Culturatti Kid!
Submit your literary art in our contest and let your voice be heard!

Photo Credit: Dear Santa by Carf

Culturatti Kids Is Ready to Be Seen and Heard!

Culturatti Kids, a division of The Culture Connection Foundation, has been working hard this year getting our foundation 509 status (supreme importance in non-profit world) and getting our fundraisers up and working. We are happy to announce that we are starting to work with schools in the Indianapolis area and beyond.

Please subscribe to our blog to learn more about upcoming events and fundraisers and also to see where we are working and donating time, money and supplies.

Our Best,
CK