The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader announced that Mac Barnett has been appointed the ninth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
Barnett, the author of more than 60 children’s books, succeeds Meg Medina in the position.
Barnett made his literary debut in 2009 with three books: Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, Guess Again!, and The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, all illustrated by Adam Rex.
His other books include Oh No!, illustrated by Dan Santat; Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen; and Places to Be, illustrated by Renata Liwska. His most recent book, The First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip—the third in a series illustrated by Shawn Harris—was published last November.
Barnett’s two-year term as ambassador will focus on children’s books through his platform “Behold, The Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See,” the Library of Congress said.
Barnett announced his appointment on Instagram, writing, “I’m especially grateful to all the kids who have read my books, and the librarians, teachers, booksellers, parents, caregivers, and camp counselors who’ve shared them. I’m excited to get to work, especially because now I have diplomatic immunity and can’t get parking tickets, or at least that’s what @jon_scieszka told me.”
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program was launched in 2008, with Jon Scieszka as the first writer to hold the post. Other past ambassadors include Gene Luen Yang, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
