Contact: Guy Lamolinara, Library of Congress (202) 707-9217; Mary Brigid Barrett, National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (508) 533-5851

December 3, 2009

“The Exquisite Corpse Adventure” Exclusive Story: Episode 6 Released Online

Educational Resources, Writing Contest Enhance the Experience

Episode six of "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure," an episodic story available exclusively from the Library of Congress, will debut Friday, Dec. 4, at www.Read.gov. Authors Patricia and Fredrick McKissack and illustrator James Ransome are featured with this episode titled "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"

"Exquisite Corpse Adventure" readers also are encouraged to participate in the Exquisite Prompt, an educational activity sponsored by PBS’ Reading Rockets and AdLit.org. Each month (through June 2010) K-12 students have the chance to utilize their writing skills to win fabulous prizes. New prompts for December are from Susan Cooper and James Ransome at www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/exquisiteprompt#prompts/ (external link). Winning entries from the first prompts can be seen at www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/exquisiteprompt#winner/ (external link).

Exciting new episodes will unfold throughout the holiday season into the new year, written and illustrated by renowned authors and artists M.T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Calef Brown, Susan Cooper, Kate DiCamillo, Timothy Basil Ering, Nikki Grimes, Shannon Hale, Lemony Snicket, Steven Kellogg, Gregory Maguire, Megan McDonald, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Paterson, James Ransome, Jon Scieszka and Chris Van Dusen.

"The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" also includes discussion questions; reading, writing and art activities; and annotated reading lists for each episode, as well as a variety of articles and additional online resources focused on education and literacy.

The "Exquisite Corpse Adventure," a project of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA), is also supported by an online educational resource center developed by the NCBLA with the Butler Children’s Literature Center at Dominican University. This resource is available at www.thencbla.org/Exquisite_Corpse/exquisite_home.html (external link).

More than 100,000 visitors monthly access the Read.gov website, which features reading and literacy pages specifically designed for kids, teens, adults and educators and parents. To receive e-mail notifications about future "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" episodes, sign up at www.loc.gov/rss/.

The Center for the Book (www.loc.gov/cfbook/) was established by Congress in 1977 "to use the resources and prestige of the Library of Congress to promote books, reading, literacy and libraries." With its many educational programs that reach readers of all ages, through its support of the National Book Festival and through its dynamic state centers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Center for the Book has developed a nationwide network of organizational partners dedicated to promoting the wonders and benefits of reading. The center also oversees the new Read.gov website, with its exclusive "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" serialized story.

The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit education and advocacy organization created in 1997 by award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators. The NCBLA acts as a freelance, nonpartisan advocate, creating and developing special projects and events that promote literacy, literature, libraries, humanities, and the arts; educating the public about practical literacy and education solutions; and ensuring young people’s right to read. The NCBLA believes that literacy is essential to the development of responsible citizens in a democracy. For more information about the NCBLA (www.thencbla.org (external link)) and to contact "Exquisite Corpse" authors and illustrators for interviews, call (508) 533-5851.

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PR 09-246
12/03/09
ISSN 0731-3527

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