WW Kids Read featured author praises Walla Walla

WW Kids Read featured author praises Walla Walla
Thousands of local students flocked to Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus this week for Walla Walla Kids Read 2011. This year's event featured renowned children's authors Jon Scieszka and David Shannon.

Walla Walla Kids Read is designed to inspire every K-5 child in the Walla Walla valley by bringing students to a world class facility to hear a well known author. All costs, including busing of students to and from the event, were paid for by Walla Walla Kids Read. Local author Patrick Carman is the founder of Walla Walla Kids Read.

Scieszka said Walla Walla is a special place.
"There is a community excitement here where everyone is connected," Scieszka said. "Walla Walla is such a great place to discover."

For Patrick Carman, creating an opportunity for students to unite around books was the inspiration behind his creation of Walla Walla Kids Read.

"What excited me the most was knowing all K-5 students in the Walla Walla valley were going to read the same book, turn the same pages and learn about the same author," Carman said. "We live in a diverse community and to have something in common like a children's book to bring everyone together is powerful. This venue on Whitman College is also important because many of the children in our valley don't have opportunities to visit a college campus. This allows them to see what their lives can be and gives them something to dream about."

Learn more about WW Kids Read at www.wallawallakidsread.com