Alabama State University News August 13, 2010 'Booked on Heritage' Entertains Young Children The National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at ASU hosted more than 100 area schoolchildren for "Booked on Heritage," a storytelling event designed to foster children's interest in reading about African-American culture. As the hot, hazy and humid days of summer end and the school year begins, the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University hopes that reading will remain a priority for schoolchildren. On Friday, Aug. 13, more than 100 local children, ages 4 to 12 years old, gathered at the Center for "Booked on Heritage," an entertaining, educational storytelling presentation. "We always have programs for children," said Joseph Trimble, children's book author and coordinator of the event. "Our goal is to get children excited about reading, especially about African-American culture." This year's presenters included three professional writers and storytellers with more than 14 books in print and more than 30 years of storytelling experience. Minnie Stringer, a recipient of The National Storytelling Networks 1997 Southeast Regional Service Award, has been telling stories to elementary schoolchildren for more than 30 years. She kept the children involved with her sing-along folktales. Emmett Woods, author of The Black Frog, entertained the children while reading his book. C.L. Threatt, a writer, publisher and motivational speaker with nine books in print and thousands sold, used puppets and humor to engage the students. He read three of his books, No Bully Zone, A Journey Through the States and his latest book, Different, But the Same. He said his book makes children excited about who they are and inspires them to do more. He also stressed the importance of reading. "It is important that you read and read well," Threatt told the children. For more information on "Booked on Heritage" or other programs and services available at the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University, call 334-229-4824 or visit the National Center website<http://www.lib.alasu.edu/natctr/index.html>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/meeting-form.html for the October 24-26, 2010 HBCU Library Alliance 4th Membership Meeting and the "Conference on Advocacy" pre-conference in Montgomery, AL. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.