PORTLAND – As “Raising Readers” comes into its eighth year, with more than 1.7 million hardcover books given to Maine children at their doctor’s offices, the organization will hold the Raising Readers Book Celebration to celebrate the collection of book distributed this year and another year of families reading together throughout the state.

Families are welcome to attend the Children’s Museum of Maine free on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5-7 p.m. to meet authors and illustrators whose books have appeared in the “Raising Reader” collection.

At the celebration, children will have an opportunity to meet Maine authors and illustrators Melissa Sweet, Cathryn Falwell, Amy MacDonald, John and Ann Hassett, and Lisa Jahn-Clough. Any 5-year-old who received the picture book anthology, “Raising Readers: Stories for Maine Children,” will recognize this group of authors and illustrators, because each of their stories appear in this unique collection published exclusively for Raising Readers.

The authors and illustrators will read from their books, and talk with families about their stories and process. Book signings will be held throughout the night. Children are encouraged to bring their copy of “Raising Readers: Stories for Maine Children” to have each author autograph it.

The “Raising Readers” anthology will also play a part in the activities for the night. Images from the book will be hidden throughout the museum for young readers to find. Upon finding all of the images, children will receive a prize.

Families will also be able to explore and read together in the Raising Reader Book Nook. The nook is a quiet space in the Children’s Museum, filled with books in English, Braille, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Farsi and Somali, and is sponsored by Raising Readers and MaineHealth.

Copy the Story Link