A Child's Bookshelf: Inside Children's Literature Video
 Now showing on public TV stations around the country! Contact your local station for times.
A Child’s Bookshelf: Inside Children’s Literature is a two-part series hosted by Ann Curry of The Today Show. It features interviews with seven of the country’s most celebrated children’s book authors and illustrators including renowned poet, Jack Prelutsky and actor and author, John Lithgow.
Taped on location in the homes and studios of the authors, the shows feature extensive profiles of the artists at work. From the New York City studio of Caldecott winner, Chris Raschka to the Toledo papermaking studio of Denise Fleming, the show offers a behind-the-scenes into the fascinating world of children's books. Each show also features several families who have found creative ways to incorporate reading and literacy into their daily lives.
 The programs were funded by the United States Department of Education, Star Schools program and produced by RIFNet, a distance learning service of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). RIF is the nation's largest non-profit children's and family literacy organization and works to build a literate nation by helping young people discover the joy of reading.
The presenting station for A Child’s Bookshelf: Inside Children’s Literature is South Carolina Educational Television and the shows will be distributed to public television stations nationwide in January 2005. There are two, 30-minute programs which can be scheduled independently or together. Learn more about the authors and illustrators with A Child's Bookshelf bibliography.
Authors and Illustrators Featured in the Programs:
 Jack Prelutsky
Jack Prelutsky has often been called America’s poet laureate for children. He has written over thirty collections of poetry including, The New Kid on the Block, Scranimals, and A Pizza the Size of the Sun. He is also a musician and tours around the country performing his songs and poetry in schools.
 Vera B. Williams
Vera Williams book, A Chair for My Mother is a classic picture book beloved by parents, children, teachers and librarians. It was a Caldecott honor book in 1983 and it tells the story of a young girl’s quest to save her pennies and buy a chair for her mother. As the author of many other award-winning books including, MoreMoreMore, Said the Baby and Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe, Williams is still writing stories and visiting schools at 77 years old.
 John Lithgow
Most people know him from Hollywood movies or the TV show 3rd Rock from the Sun. But actor John Lithgow has launched another successful career – as a best-selling children’s book author. His first book The Remarkable Farkle McBride was about a musical prodigy and his new book is called, I’m a Manatee. Lithgow’s love of children’s literature began in his own childhood with bedtime stories read by his father.
 Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson is a talented young illustrator who has worked with Debbie Allen, Steven Spielberg and Will Smith. He also provided the exuberant images for Please, Baby Please by Tonya and Spike Lee. Nelson’s illustrations for Thunder Rose received the Coretta Scott King honor from the American Library Association. His most recent illustrations are in Ellington Was Not a Street, a book about Duke Ellington.
Jerry Pinkney
For forty years, Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations have warmed the pages of classic children’s books like John Henry; The Nightingale; Noah’s Ark and The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit. He has been showered with five Caldecott honors and three Coretta Scott King awards for his lush and colorful illustrations, which bring to life multicultural folktales. Pinkney was one of the first African American children’s book authors and illustrators to be published.
 Denise Fleming
Denise Fleming burst onto the children’s literature scene in 1991 with the publication of her first book, In the Tall, Tall Grass. Her evocative and colorful illustrations are made using a unique – and very messy - process called, “pulp painting”. Fleming has won dozens of awards for her books including a Caldecott honor for In the Small, Small Pond. Her new book is about a lucky dog named Buster.
 Chris Rashcka
Chris Raschka has sometimes chosen unlikely subjects for his children’s books, from jazz musician Charlie Parker to a sardine named Arlene. But parents and kids have taken delight in his offbeat humor and bold paintings. Raschka’s book, Yo! Yes? was a Caldecott honor book, which told the story of two boys who become fast friends. Raschka lives in New York City and is putting the finishing touches on his new book based on Peter and the Wolf.
About the Host:
Ann Curry
Ann Curry has been the news anchor for NBC’s Today Show since 1997. She is also a contributing reporter to Dateline NBC. She is also the mother of two school-age children and enjoys reading to them every night. In A Child’s Bookshelf she shares one of her family’s favorite children’s books.
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