An award-winning writer and educator is bringing a unique blend of kid-friendly storytelling to the Williamsburg Regional Library.
Kwame Alexander is a New York Times best-selling author whose book, “The Crossover,” received the 2015 John Newbery Award for Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children and the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, among others. His work spans picture books, novels and poetry.
Alexander strives to inspire and empower through his writing, appearances at schools and travels to foreign countries such as Brazil, France and Italy. He also co-founded LEAP for Ghana, a program that delivered books, established a new library and provided literacy development training to 300 teachers in the African nation.
The library appearance will combine his recent books, educational exploits and worldly experiences into a presentation incorporating conversation, storytelling and performing. The William and Mary Library and the Williamsburg Area Reading Council provided funds for the program.
“We are so excited to be able to partner with the Williamsburg Regional Library and Williamsburg Area Reading Council to bring Kwame to Williamsburg,” Carrie Cooper, dean of university libraries for William and Mary, said in a news release. “I saw him speak at a conference last year and was blown away by him. He is an amazing poet and author and truly knows how to inspire the next generation.”
Want to go?
Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday and the performance begins at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The William and Mary Bookstore will have copies of Alexander’s book for sale, and the author will sign books after the show.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
