With the William Allen White Children’s Book Award ceremonies taking place this upcoming weekend, the award’s history was a focal point for the latest Sundays at the Site presentation at Red Rocks State Historic Site.
Robbie Hill’s presentation was called “Ruth Garver Gagliardo Remembers William Allen White.” Gagliardo worked at the Emporia Gazette early in her overall career, and she convinced Gazette publisher William Allen White to write a regular column reviewing children’s books. After White’s death in 1944, Gagliardo started the award program in 1952.
Gagliardo eventually was known as the “Kansas Book Lady” because of her promotion of books and libraries across the state, including her own review of children’s books, creating the first Children’s Training Book Exhibit and writing an anthology of children’s books highlighting the importance of families reading. Hill says it’s still important for children and families to pick up a good book, even with all the push towards social media.
This year’s featured authors are Katherine Applegate, which won the award for grades 3-5 with her book “Odder,” and Gordan Korman, who won the award for grades 6-8 with his book “The Fort.”
The Author’s Ceremony will take place at Emporia State’s Albert Taylor Hall at 11 am Saturday, following morning station activities at ESU’s William Allen White Library from 8:30-10:30 am. The Memorial Union Nest Cafeteria will also be open Saturday until 1 pm.
*Click here for more information about the William Allen White Children’s Book Awards.
The Sundays at the Site information series is ending soon — as in this upcoming Sunday — with the annual Poetry on the Porch starting at 2 pm. Local poets Linzi Garcia and Kerry Moyer will be featured, with Kevin Rabas hosting the event. Aspiring poets are also invited to share some of their works.
