Kansas Center for the Book

River of Words—New in 2011!

The Kansas Center for the Book in partnership with Mammoth Publications proudly introduces River of Words! In affiliation with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, River of Words is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting poetry and art about our environment and our watersheds.

Poets and artists from kindergarten through grade 12, share your reflections creatively. Great for classroom poetry, art, social studies, and environment education.

River of Words is in its 15th year. This will be the first year for Kansas to participate. National and statewide recognition is possible. Join the Kansas Center for the Book and Mammoth Publications welcoming River of Words to our state. Click on the icon to read more about this exciting new project in Kansas.

2010-2011 Letters About Literature

"For the past several years, my students have participated in this competition and have found it to be a meaningful writing experience. This year, I felt honored to not only have a winner, but two semi-finalists." —Jo Dean, Beloit Jr/Sr High School

Students grades 4-12! Write a letter to an author whose book has changed your life and be a winner. Letters About Literature submissions are now being accepted. About 1,400 Kansas students participated in 2010…be among those next year for a chance at cash and gift card prizes and state and national recognition. Read more about Letters About Literature by clicking on the icon now!

2010 Kansas Notable Book List Announced

State Librarian Joanne Budler and Roy Bird, Director of the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas, today announced the 2010 Kansas Notable Book List. Fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books are on the list which contains the best books published by Kansas authors or about Kansas in 2009.

“Nearly 150 books by Kansans or about Kansas were considered for the 2010 Kansas Notable Books List,” said Bird. “We celebrate these titles that reflect our state’s diverse historical, literary, and cultural experience.”

“Few things are more satisfying than feeling appreciated at home, and that’s what it felt like to have my novel included among the Notable Books. Thank you so much for your support of local authors, Kansas Center for the Book.” —Nancy Pickard, author, The Virgin of Small Plains (Notable Book 2007)

See the complete list here.

Affiliates & Fellows support the Kansas Center for the Book

The Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas invites you to become an Affiliate or Fellow and help promote literacy, literary activities, Kansas books and authors, and other activities in the book community. We thank the Affiliates and Fellows who have renewed for calendar year 2010.

Not an Affiliate or Fellow?

To learn more and download an application form, click here.

Your support helps bring books and reading to Kansans all across the state!

2010 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers