Minigrant For the Taking

Found this in my in-box.  Looked interesting:

Tel. 718/965-1266 (For more information) Website: www.Ezra-Jack-Keats.org

"Children need to learn, and they need to love learning. Instilled with a passion for acquiring knowledge for themselves," states Dr. Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, "a child can achieve almost anything." "It is an inspired educator who can act as the living link between children and the books that can change their lives. It is the imagination of the educator that these grants are designed to support," continued Dr. Pope.

This will be the twenty-first annual call for grant proposals by the EJK Foundation, founded by Ezra Jack Keats, the renowned author and illustrator of such books as The Snowy Day and Whistle for Willie . The EJK Foundation has awarded over half a million dollars in grants since the minigrant program was started in 1987,to public schools and libraries in all 50 states and the US Commonwealth.

Dr. Pope urges educators to wander around the various pages of the EJK website, after printing out their minigrant application, "There is a great deal of information about Ezra on our site. Equally interesting is the background information on the role his books have played in the classroom and in the growing importance of quality picture books for children around the world." "We look forward to hearing from you!" added Dr. Pope.