Martha's Vineyard Tea

We had tea at Atria on Martha's Vineyard in honor of the First Family! What a great event.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/charissecarneynunes/sets/72157622335111306/

Charisse at Woodridge Library's Preschool Breakfast Club, NE DC

View my new photos and meet my new friends from the Woodridge Library, DCPL.

Have you bought a book today -- preferably by a Black Children's Author??

If not? Have you visited your LOCAL LIBRARY and checked one out?? DON'T LOSE IT!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2216231&l=cbd4edb796&id=608868120

Literary Obama - Book Review

One might easily mistake the beautifully-illustrated book, I am Barack Obama by Charisse Carney-Nunes and Ann Marie Williams, for a traditional children’s biography. But it offers, in my view, a more innovative strategy by portraying our 44th President’s life simply as the story of a young boy and his extended family: the obstacles he faced as a bi-racial child with a single parent; his love of basketball, of learning, and of helping others.

Guided by the philosophy that “inspiration and optimism are the first steps” to children’s achievement, Carney-Nunes’s poetic second-person narrative speaks directly to young listeners through the life story of Obama:
You’ll travel far and wideAlong the journey of your lifeYou’ll know joy and happinessAnd you’ll know sorrow,you’ll know strife…

Parents and teachers who are already familiar with Obama’s background will recognize “Toot” and the landscape of Indonesia along with iconic images of his life and career. Additionally, the book contains an appendix with a brief bio, teaching resources, and personal essays by several children who have been inspired by the President. (”The same year Barack Obama won, I won,” writes 10-year-old Morgana, “I am currently the youngest president ever elected in my middle school…”) Their words suggest that Obama’s story can begin with any child and this is exactly point of I am Barack Obama.

Carney-Nunes is the author of several children’s books and CEO of Brand Nu Words publishing. She and Obama are also former classmates from Harvard Law School.

Making Moves in Philly

The School District of Philadelphia presented Brand Nu Words with a $12,000 check to help support the efforts of educating our youth through reading!

Read All About It!

I Am Barack Obama is showcased on the front page of The Savannah Tribune! Copy & paste the following link to read more: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.savannahtribune.com%2Fnews%2F2009-06-10%2FFront_Page%2FCommunity_and_Boule_Salute_Young_Men_of_Honor.html&h=f4f5ce876a4bca5324811b7a164f524e

Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club Visit

On the afternoon of May 12, 2009, I visited the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles. The visit was facilitated by the Afterschool Alliance (http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/) an awesome organization that works tirelessly toward the goal of quality afterschool programs for all children. The children of this club are almost all Hispanic and were inspired by I Am Barack Obama. They welcomed me with open arms and love and even performed a special cheer for me. :-)

Power Lunch!

May 2009: Harvey and I had a Power Lunch with Power People Mario and Maya Van Peebles. Ready to take over the world?

Celebrity Read Aloud @ Oak Street Elementary School

In the photo above from left to right: Jorge Pallo, me, Haley Ramm, and Sam Jones III

On May 12, the Jamestown Project co-sponsored a Celebrity Read Aloud event in conjunction with the Stephanie Starks Hope Foundation. The event took place at Oak Street Elementary School and featured a literacy pep rally and a mass book donation for hundreds of students! The children were wowed by:

- Jorge Pallo of Secret Lives of the American Teenager (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0657903/)

- Haley Ramm of iCarly; Ben 10: Race Against Time; and Skateland (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1391252/)

- Sam Jones III - Smallville (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427389/)

The Jamestown Project donated 100 copies of I Dream for You a World to the Stephanie Starks Hope Foundation in connection with this event and in an effort to promote child civic engagement. Haley Ramm who plays Missy on iCarly read this book to the students. Jorge Pallo read I Am Barack Obama.

Charisse's May 2009 Newsletter

Click here to read my newsletter!

http://www.brandnuwords.com/May2009Newsletter.htm

Includes:

• Latest news
• An update from me
• An explanation of exciting new awards and accolaides
• Announcement about a NEW BOOK
• A summary of past and upcoming speaking engagements!

Skipping Stones

I just received news that Skipping Stones Multicultural Magazine has chosen I Am Barack Obama for its 2009 Honor Book Awards. Skipping Stones is an award-winning multicultural magazine that recognizes outstanding authentic books and teaching resources each year with the Annual Skipping Stones Honor Awards. The honored books, published by both large and small publishers, promote cooperation and cultivate an awareness of our diversecultures. Read more at: http://www.skippingstones.org/2009SkippingStonesAwardsPR.pdf