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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

In honor of Election Day, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. Published by Candlewick Press, this book is a stunning collection of original poetry, short stories, memoirs, and essays using the White House as a focal point. Over one hundred celebrated authors and illustrators contributed to the anthology, such as Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting), Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn Dixie), Gregory Maguire (Wicked), and many more.

The book itself is absolutely gorgeous. It's hardcover and filled with fascinating written and illustrated works. Original art graces the pages and adds life and color to the written entries. The entries are short; just long enough to completely engage you and then leave you craving more. Fortunately, there's plenty of material here to satisfy you. Whether it's an imagined conversation between John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson's fascination with archaeology, ghosts that haunt the White House, or historical trivia, there's something here for everyone.

The stories in this book are a wonderful way to share our nation's history with young people. The book was created by the National Children's Book and Literary Alliance, and they hope that adults will share Our White House with the young people they live with and work for, not only to rouse their interest in our nation’s heritage, but also to energize and inspire young people on their journeys to becoming our nation’s future leaders. Visit their website here for ideas, activities, and discussion questions related to the book.

Do yourself a favor and take a trip down to your local bookstore. Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out is a delight and is sure to be treasured by all.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a copy of Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Tuesday, November 11th at Midnight. Please leave a thoughtful comment (don't just say "I want it", "Pick me" etc.) Also, please leave your email address. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

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112 comments:

  1. We have a book about the Pledge of Allegiance that my kids love...so I assume they would love this one just as much.

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  2. This looks like a neat book. I always appreciate books with multiple authors since they always give you more than one way to view a theme. Thanks!
    cbeargie (at) yahoo(dot)com

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  3. What a great concept and I love the cover art.
    gkstratos@yahoo.com

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  4. I picked this one up and thumbed through it at the bookstore last weekend. I'd love to win it! Thanks.

    chappyandalexa AT earthlink DOT net

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  5. I niece is just learning to say the Pledge of Allegiance at school and I think this would be a great tool to help her learn what it is to be an American. I know she would love this book!

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  6. We're planning a family trip to DC in the next 3-4 years -- I'd love to get books like this ahead of time to prepare the kids for what they'll see! This book looks phenomenal.

    Thanks!
    Megret
    musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. I am trying to figure out if the cover is the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. I could learn more about the White House with my children. We love books in our home! Please enter my name in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  8. What a neat book! I would love to use it to help my children learn more about our nation.

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  9. I'm from Belgium, my husband's from England, we moved here nearly 4 years ago, this would be a great book to read, for both us 2 and our kids!
    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    ann dot guns at mac dot com

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  10. This sounds like a great book. I think I might have to go check it out at our bookstore during our next trip. Thanks. katebeth45(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. What a lovely looking book! I think this could be a good way to help kids learn about our country, our history, and the importance of civic duty.

    ignoramoose (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. The illustrations in this book are beautiful - and I love books like this that help both the parent and the child learn together. Thanks for the chance! alicedemske at hotmail.com

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  13. My 9 year old daughter who is learning all about elections and how our government systems works for the first time I think would really enjoy this book!

    ajcmeyer AT go DOT com

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  14. With the election just over, my grandsons have been asking dozens of questions about the White House. This would be great and very helpful.

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  15. What a timely book. Looks gorgeous and I can't wait to check it out. I'm positive my girls would love to win this as well! I am trying to bring up proud little Americans!!
    Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  16. this would be great for the kids- yep this election has brought in the kids mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

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  17. Looks like a great way to help kids understand our government. Thanks!

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  18. We home school, so we collect beautiful books like this. Especially ones that have to to do with America - the White House, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance. This would be a great addition for us!!

    sara_mcclintock@yahoo.com

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  19. This looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

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  20. This book is reminiscent of an old book my great grandmother had when she was studying for the test to become a citizen. It seems like a great way for kids (and adults) to learn.

    kimberlykauer at gmail dot come

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  21. With the election and all the questions my kids have about politics this would be a very interesting book for them both to read.

    Thank you so much for the giveaway!

    HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net

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  22. I'd love to have this to use in my first grade classroom! It goes right along with out state standards!

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  23. I work in a classroom for behaviorally challenged kindergartners and I think this would be wonderful to share with them. They are definatley visual learners!

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  24. I love this book. I have never seen White House. I am eager to go through the contents of this book. Thank U.

    angelinajose@gmail.com

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  25. Hi, I would love to win as my husband and I are from the UK (legal residents) and have been here 3 yrs but will become citizens eventually. I would love this book to explain to my child what it all means.

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  26. It sounds and looks great, I am really impressed, I have never heard of a childrens book with multiple authors before,
    only text books for schools and colleges. I know, I need to get out more!! Thanks for the great giveaway.

    we live in LA county and hope to move to San Diego too! - maybe one day.

    rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

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  27. This book looks great and we would love to win as our children have gooten caught up in fever election as well. _ they'd appreciate a book at their level to read and understand more.

    I don't feel I can break it down easily enough as some of the time it overwhelms me. thanks for such an educational giveaway.

    davidjnorris at ntlworld.com

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  28. We are book lovers - book lusters in our home. This looks like such a wonderful book to share with my youngster, particularly as we've been talking about the president during the elections. I love that there is an entire site to facilitate interactions involving the book. Super cool! What a great resouce~

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  29. My husband teaches presidential politics and this would be a wonderful addition to our children's book collection. What a beautiful book! parvax at aol dot com

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  30. This would be a nice donation to our school.

    risanjax@metrocast.net

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  31. With the popularity of Brack Obama evn my neice is interested in the president. I think she'd really like this book too.

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  32. This looks like a great book for kids.

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  33. Would love to win this! This is our second year homeschooling and I'm always on the look out for great books!

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  34. This looks like a great book to have. My kids and i would both love it.

    rebbi511 at peoplepc.com

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  35. This book would be wonderful for my grandchildren. I would love to win!

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  36. My daughter was interested in learning about the recent election. I know she would like to learn about and here stories about where the president lives.

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  37. This would be greatly appreciated in this grey/blue house of mine!

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  38. what a wonderful way to teach our kids!

    Julie
    jeweles1@verizon.net

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  39. I think this would be a great addition to our home library, in honor of the historic election!

    cookiert at yahoo.com

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  40. my son is really into government, history and the recent elections, he'd love this.

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  41. My college-aged son has been collecting children's books about government for years. He will love this one for his collection!

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  42. This would be a terrific book to share with my greatgrandchildren!

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  43. This is where the power is

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  44. A timely book..and very informative. Thanks for the contest.

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  45. that looks like a good book. would love to win, thanks

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  46. I want this to share with my nephew...and best buddy...he is going to DC this summer and would love it. thanks for entry!

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  47. With the election my family has a renewed interest in politics. This would be a good book for us to read.

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  48. It's interesting to imagine so many different influences toward cohesive design for such an important piece of living history.

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  49. I have always wanted to see the White House. This book would be the next best thing!
    smchester at gmail dot com

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  50. It is cool to see so many different perspectives on the White House - a focal point of our country.

    Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway!
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. I was lucky enough to live in DC for several years; it was always utterly charming to see people - adults and children - stare at the White House in awe. Thanks for the chance to win this book.

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  52. This sounds like a wonderful book to use to read to my children about the white house or politics in general. I think I would enjoy it myself more though.

    jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com

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  53. Looks like an interesting read. Please sign me up for your contest.

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  54. A smile is a curve that can straight alot of things out

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  55. This would be a great book for my girls, I'd love to win a copy!

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  56. This sounds like a wonderful book. It sounds like something both my children and myself would enjoy. Thanks for the chance to add it to our collection.

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  57. I would love to win this to give to my niece. I think it's more important than ever before that young people grow up knowing more about our history. This looks like a fun as well as educational book filled with goodies.
    Thank you for the nice giveaway.

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  58. Have the perfect spot on my
    coffee table where all
    could enjoy viewing the INS
    and OUTS of the White House.

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  59. This is a real treasure of a book and one that would be enjoyed over and over and in many different ways!
    doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
    Elizabeth

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  60. I have been to the White House once in 6th grade. Interesting experience.

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  61. We are a very political family, so I know this book would be treasured here!

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  62. want to win this my niece loves politics so much she would love this

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  63. I would love to use this as a great classroom resource. As a history teacher, this would be a fascinating and useful book to have!

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  64. What a nice prize. Count me in.

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  65. This would be a great book to share with my kids!

    vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

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  66. My 10-year old god-daughter has shown a remarkable interest in national and international affairs. She has written prize winning and published (!) essays about war and the environment she jumped up and down for joy when Obama was declared our new president. This is precisely the kind of book I would love to share with her!

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  67. They held mock elections at my daughters school this year. She loves reading about factual things so I think this would be a great book for her.
    kjc02@msn.com

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  68. What an interesting way to get kids interested in their government, in their country, and realize that it isn't something separate from them - but something they can be a part of!

    ladyspy@aol.com

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  69. Looks great.

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  70. a good way to introduce government and politics to little ones

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  71. My son would really like this...he is four and just beginning to understand these kind of things. thanks for the chance, justicecw@hotmail.com

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  72. I would love this and I think I would donate it to my son's 4th grade classroon. I think this would be a book that a lot of the kids would enjoy especially since other kids their age are getting ready to move into that big white house in DC.

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    becca951(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  73. i have a niece who just started school and is learning about the flag and i think this book would help her understand the importance of our president and the white house. great giveaway!

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  74. I would love to win this book. It is important to have books for children that show about our country and government

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  75. What a great giveaway! I get chills looking at the White House and all the monuments in D.C. It's almost as if you can feel the history in the air. It is a great representation of how a great nation rose from the amongst the ashes by the determination of those with little means. I love the idea of anything that helps me pass on my love for history, my nation and even politics to my children. Please count me in!

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  76. This looks like a great book. I had never heard of it before. It sounds interesting...educational and fun at the same time.

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  77. I would love to win this beautiful book for my brand new granddaughter and the collection of American history I am starting for her.

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  78. Looks like a very informative read full historical tidbits. Well timed giveaway! Someday I hope to take the kids to see the White House for themselves.
    pvilletoygirl at gmail dot com

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  79. My daughter would love this. She was enthralled by this election and all the previous presidents.

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  80. This looks like a very interesting and educational book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  81. This book looks fascinating. I would love to have it!

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  82. It would be a great way to get the questions flowing from your kids on our country and history to get them interested in history, rather than just video games:)

    bloggerprofilepage@yahoo.com

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  83. This would be a good book for my daughter. She's just starting to learn about our government.

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  84. What a fabulous moment for this particular giveaway! Like so many families, we are really happy to have President Obama move into the White House! This would be great for my oldest 2 who have been following the election.

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  85. My daughter is learning about the goverment in class and I would love to win this for her. She is so into it. It is nice to see excited about something alot of people don't understand or don't care about.

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  86. What a great way to learn some American history...plus, I never knew there were ghosts in the White House - I'm dying to read more!

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  87. My daughter is fascinated about Washington and our government. She was very interested in Senator Obama's election to the White House. This book would be a great aid in helping her learn more about the White House. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  88. This seems like great book,good concept wonderful art work thanks .

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  89. history is the foundation of this country i would love to read this :)

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  90. I think this book would prove invaluable for my daughter who is getting ready to turn 6. We currently own Duck For President and I think this would add to her understanding of our country and how things work. I think this election really had her confused as to what was going on.

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  91. This looks like a great book. I have always been intrigued by the White House! It always seems so mysterious.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  92. This sounds so wonderful i just bought the childrens book about obama i also have another one written by laura bush its a great way for me to tech our kids about the united states

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  93. I am a total history and biography fanatic! I would love to have a book like this to read to my grandchildren and to get them to love history as much as I do
    susanlawrence(at)verizon(dot)net

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  94. That is a great drawing on the cover of that book!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  95. I'd love to judge this book by it's cover...it's fabulous.

    mengels[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  96. this is one book i think my husband would actually enjoy sitting down to share with our son! he is all into poltics/white house/government stuff.

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  97. This book sounds very interesting. I would love to visit the White House someday. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

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  98. I love books that teach little ones...and their parents too! This book looks like it falls in that category. I've always been fascinated by the white house and this book appears to be a very informative peek in to that grand house.

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  99. I have been trying to teach my grandchildren the meaning of the President, etc and this book looks like a wonderful teaching tool.

    Thank you so much!

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  100. A nice book. I would love to read it to my grandchildren. Thanks for having the contest!

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  101. I would like to win this because I enjoy sharing history with my kids as my parents did with me. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  102. What a wonderful way to celebrate the history of the White House! We've always been fascinated with this splendorous home to so many tales and secrets and romances and adventures all in the realms of politics and life! This would truly be such a magical book to win and share with my family and friends!

    Thanks so much for the give~away! : )))

    leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

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  103. I'd love to read about the White House.

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  104. This would be a great book for my kids.
    donna444444@yahoo.com

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  105. do't forget during the war our White House was burned by the British

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  106. What a great way to teach/expose children to our government

    jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com

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