Jon Scieszka has been appointed the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature bu the US Librarian of Congress. The appointment is for two years and is modelled on the British Children's Laureate. Robin Adelson, executive director at Children’s Book Council said, "Jon Scieszka’s platform will spotlight the diversity and breadth of children’s literature available today and in so doing present a solution to what can be done to change the state of reading in this country."

 Accepting the Honour Scieszka said, “There’s a huge population of kids who would be or can be readers, but just choose not to,” said Mr. Scieszka. “Kids see it just as a school activity or something that just can’t compete with a Nintendo Wii or just hanging out and text messaging your friends. Parents and booksellers and teachers are dying for some help.”

His new series, Trucktown, will launch in the UK with Smash! Crash! on 3rd March 2008, followed by Who’s that Truck? and Meet Jack Truck! in the summer.

Library of Congress press release

Article in the Washington Post

Open letter from Michael Rosen to Jon Scieszka