Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The President Read At The Easter Egg Roll

Did you watch when the scenes of the Easter Egg Roll at the White House came on television? I did.
It's always great to see children and bunnies and Easter eggs and fun and games. It was nice to watch the children and their families enjoying the special event. Not only was the Easter Bunny there, but Clifford the Big Red Dog was, too. Everyone looked like they were having a great time rolling the eggs, playing basketball, and singing songs.
The annual event on the White House lawn began in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. I wonder if they did some of the same things this year's attendees did.
But I thought one of the best things that happened was the book reading. And what a great book the President picked to read and act out the scenes. He read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. (Jenna Bush was there to read part of it also, as were President Obama's daughters Malia and Shasha.)
Where the Wild Things Are was written and illustrated in 1963 by Sendak. In 1964 it received a Caldecott Medal. (We talked about those award-winning books before, remember?)
The book is a children's picture book about the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is punished for making mischief by being sent to his room without supper. He wears a distinctive wolf suit during his adventures and encounters various mythical creatures, the "wild things." Although the story is only ten sentences long, the book is generally regarded as a classic of American illustrated children's literature. A most delightful book for anyone to read, as well as look at.
We have that book right here in the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library. We have two, but you may have to put them on hold to get one. Seems they are very popular now and are frequently checked
out.
But, while you're waiting for Where the Wild Things Are, look for these two books by Sendak that we have: Higglety, pigglety pop! Or, There Must Be More to Life and Pierre: a cautionary tale in five chapters and a prologue.
I would have loved being in that crowd of little kids, listening to the President read Sendak's story. Wonder how scary he made it sound?

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