A Children’s Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
It has come to the attention of many that with the election of Barack Obama, we are facing a very interesting White House situation: Mainly that there are kids there. Kids! Plural! In the White House! It’s been a long time since we could say that, and this means we’ve an opportunity here. An opportunity in terms of the upcoming inauguration.
Credit children’s author Fran Manushkin with coming up with the idea. Consider this: A Children’s Inauguration. You would pair it alongside that of the adult persuasion and it could be a great way to promote reading, programs that support literacy, and other topics near and dear to our hearts.
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Of course there are some limitations. Amy Nathan wrote me to say (quite rightly) that : "I read yesterday that there are no more hotel rooms available in DC for the Jan. 20 time period. But the kid’s inauguration could be done with school kids from DC, Maryland and Virginia — and also any kids that are lucky enough to be coming to the festivities already." Precisely. There will be swarms of children there. Swarms of them hanging about this historic event. Why not cater to these swarms? Give ’em a little bang for their books?
Fran Manushkin suggested programs like CHILDREN WHO MADE HISTORY or A PROGRAM showing how parents can read to their kids!
Amy suggested, "Children’s book authors — through PEN and the Author’s Guild — could donate books that could then be sent to schools-in-need around the country. These books could have an official bookplate in them saying that they were donated as part of the children’s inauguration of President Barack Obama. Children attending could be encouraged to bring a book to donate as well, to be part of the book donation too."
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. With such little time there’s only so much that could be planned but why not go wild? What activities would you suggest for such an event?
Above illustration by Patrick Moberg. Thanks to BB-Blog for the link.
Filed under: Uncategorized
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Fuse, I kinda love that idea.
Oh, very cool! In the DC/Northern Virginia/Maryland suburbs kids will have off school and government is closed. But libraries won’t be? Why not host some authors … or presidents. I’d love to see Abe Lincoln talk about this historic event.
How about a contest to name the new presidential puppy?
So if it were held in libraries in metro DC, gee, couldn’t it be a nationwide kind of thing? Libraries could hold Inaugural Balls across the country. Dress in red, white and blue, have punch and cookies, do a Bill of Rights scavenger hunt, a Branches of Government Matching Game — sort of like the midnight Harry Potter parties.
What a neat idea! I’d be willing to donate some Ratha series books.
What about a kid’s version of the new Obama-Biden change.com, so that kids can send their ideas in? kidschange.com, maybe?
Or have kids write letters to the president-elect during some of the parties.
How about having a contest for kids to draw a picture with a caption about what they would change in our country if they were president?
A wonderful idea. How about getting Jon Scieszka involved?
There are some great independent book stores in the DC area (Tree Top Kids and Politics and Prose), I am sure they would get involved if they had time and resources.
How about doing something for the children without alot of hoopla opportunistic free publicity for the authors. That would be a much more sincere idea. And I vote no for the ambassador who just received lots of free publicity last month for posing with that fake librarian, Laura Bush, free publicity in all the wrong ways. His photo op with her was a big turn off. He blew a good opportunity to make stand for literacy but instead chose a photo op with someone who is married to the worst kind of anti-intellectualism. He’s finished with me and will never buy his books again. And Ms Manushkin . . . [comment here removed due to content by site administrator]
I think that it’s important to remember that even in the midst of all this hope and amazing brainstorming that when people are trying to help children in some manner there will always be nasty anonymous comments like the one above. Here we are trying to find some way to get kids involved in an amazing moment in history. We want to get books into their hands, get libraries and bookstores involved, and generally help out in some fashion. And then you get that person who just commented who cannot come up with anything particularly useful or helpful. You can never take seriously any comment signed “anon”, you know. Anyone that feels they can snipe at others while remaining safe and sniggering in their namelessness isn’t speaking out of the courage of their convictions but rather using the internet as their own private bully ground. So let’s take the part of the comment that says that this project should be about the kids and not self-promotion (agreed) and ignore the rest which, let’s face it, has nothing to do with much of anything. Are there any more ideas you guys would like to share?
Say what you will about Laura Bush’s husband (and I have), but she started the Texas Book Festival, which is a great, fun, and stimulating book festival, which supports Texas libraries. She’s all right in my book (so to speak).
Barack Obama makes it cool to be smart. He represents discipline, studying, and hard work. I’d love to see these values passed along in our upcoming celebrations.
While I appreciate the sentiment behind a Children’s Inauguration, the inauguration of a president is a political event, and children should not be “used†in political events to further the cause of reading and books.
Furthermore, the group(s) …teachers, librarians, the PTA ,etc., responsible for taking children to the inauguration could face objections from parents who may not have voted for Obama and may not want their children to participate in a Children’s Inauguration.
Last but not least, people from all over the world plan to attend this inauguration. Getting around will be a nightmare, and security, for reasons that need not be spelled out, the tightest it has ever been. From the chair in which I sit, as far as children are concerned, best attending the inauguration be a family conversation/decision, etc.
I applaud Fran’s idea of including children in this historic inauguration. In two short months our new first family will be moving into 1600 Pennyslvania Avenue, a house that belongs to all American families. Perhaps children can make their own pledge as President Elect Obama is sworn in. There have been far more children and pets in the White House than presidents. I would love to participate. Count me in!
I really like the national angle “Under the Covers” suggested above – the idea that there could be some sort of children’s inauguration party at public libraries all over – even here in LA – is really fun. January 20th is a Tuesday, right after the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – could the children and YA librarians pull off some sort of string of nationwide parties to celebrate the new President and First Family and, er.. First Puppy? Betsy, is there some public children’s librarian virtual watercooler where we could get the word out – or, am I standing knee-deep in it?
(oh, and I like the idea of the kids wearing patriotic colors…)
On Clinton’s second inauguration, my daughter’s elementary school had an Inaugural Ball during an all school assembly. The principal and his wife arrived in a limo, all dressed up. The kids were encouraged to dress their best. Phy ed teachers had taught dance steps the previous weeks. After a few short speeches, everyone enjoyed the festivities, hosted by a local DJ. Now I am a staff member and we are talking about doing this again as an evening family program. I’ll be looking forward to hearing more ideas.
I loved what I just read in SLJ about Milton Terrace South Elementary School kids picking out books they feel should absolutely be in the White House library for the Obama girls.
This seems like a great opportunity to educate the Obama’s (not that they need it) about all the wonderful books currently available and jump into a push for literacy from the get-go. And I think Jon is a GREAT leader to do just that!
I Love the idea of in-library events for the kids, but I also think the big picture should be considered: How can we make literacy a top priority in this new administration? From the roots up? How can kids show the White House how important books and reading are to them?
My 2 cents,
🙂
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The idea that we cannot do this because it is political is just plain silly — in the U.S., there is no separation of politics and state. Politics is state and state is citizens. This is civics, not religion, and civics has always been a part of education. What this idea needs is focus and leadership to shape am organic, practicable program. All well and good to promise to send books (what writer won’t do that?) and jump aboard, but we need something to jump onto. And of course Jon Scieszka should be involved! If his position as Ambassador to Children for Literature is to have serious visibility and teeth, which is in the interest of literature and its relationship to a free society, it is all to the good. Humphing about photo ops with Mrs. Bush is counterproductive and irrelevant. As a lifelong Democrat and Obama supporter, I had no trouble traveling with Mrs. Bush to represent the U.S. at the Russian Book Festival in 2003. Promoting literature and reading is one thing that should can and should always cross party lines.
I look forward to reading about someone who will take the reins.
I think it would be great if book donations were given to DC city schools, daycares and libraries. I think that would be really fantastic. The children of DC should be involved and should benefit!
I love this idea. The children’s literature community was strongly in support of Obama, and we need to step our support even more now that he’s in.
I think this is an awesome idea! How can others across the country make our children’s book ideas known to Michelle Obama and President Obama? Any suggestions on how we could do something nationwide for the White House library?
What a wonderful idea. I’ll let you know if I think of anything!!
I’ve already booked an event at Busboys and Poets cafe/bookstore in DC for the 17th of January. I’m also working on doing readings at shelters and getting corporate sponsers to donate books. Can we make this a group event? tonyacheriehegamin@gmail.com or http://www.tonyacheriehegamin.com
A Children’s Inaugural Ball is being held on Sunday, January 18th at the Historical Society of Washington, DC.
For more information, please go to the website for Every Child Matters, the host of the event.
Dear Parents:
On January 17, 2009, J Star Productions, Inc. in association with CODE Blue reviving a generation will host the H.O.P.E. (Honoring Our President-Elect) Inaugural Youth Ball from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Trinity Center on the campus of Trinity University in Washington, DC. The event will give youth the opportunity to share in the inaugural festivities surrounding the swearing in of President-Elect Barack Obama. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to National Network for Youth, Washington, D.C.
This inaugural ball may be the first ever to be held especially for youth. It will give them a chance to join with the rest of our nation in honoring our new President’s example of courage and perseverance in the face of constant challenge. From his mother’s 4:30 a.m. study sessions in grade school, to his numerous examples of service and sacrifice, President-elect Obama is an inspiration to young and old alike. His swearing in on January 20th as the 44th President of the United States is indeed a special time to encourage our youth to also strive for excellence and achievement. The ball promises to be an evening of family friendly elegance that will include food & beverages, live entertainment, souvenir photographs, special guest appearances, and much more.
In Honor of
President-elect and Mrs. Barack Obama
Vice President-elect and Mrs. Joe Biden
J Star Productions, Inc.
in association with
Code Blue: reviving a generation
Requests the honor of your company
at the
Saturday, the seventeenth day of January
Two thousand and nine
six o’clock in the evening
The Trinity Center
Trinity University Campus
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
District of Columbia
Ticket cost
$75.00 first 200 sold – $100.00 thereafter
Formal Attire Encouraged
Ticket information (301) 925-(talk) 8255
http://www.hopeinauguralball.com
Proceeds benefit
National Network for Youth, Washington, D.C..
The Youth Ball sound wonderful! Congrats!
During our 1/2 hour library class that week I will ask the children to recommend a book the President-elect Obama’s children might like to have in the White House Library. The children will do a “book talk” about the book they recommend. There have not been young children in the White House for some time. I’m sure the White House Library could use some new books added to it’s collection.
IT’s great news that we finally do have a black president and hopefully he will change stuff in many ways.I actually cried when I found the news out
yup its me again why dont Obamas kids run a party for kids allover the world for free to celebrate about it.
Obama rocks!Obama rocks!Obama rocks!Obama rocks!