Glenda E. Hood
Secretary of State

NEWS RELEASE

Secretary Hood Selects S Is For Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet

To Represent Florida At The National Book Festival

TALLAHASSEE, FL- Secretary of State Glenda E. Hood announced today that S is for Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet, written by Carol Crane and illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe, has been chosen to represent Florida at the 2005 National Book Festival. "I am delighted to introduce children from across the nation to our great state of Florida through this wonderful book," said Secretary Hood. "The lyrical prose and vivid illustrations in S is for Sunshine will bring our state's rich landscape, wildlife, and history to life for both children and adults."

Carol Crane is the author of 12 children's books and is a widely respected national educational consultant, lecturer, and book reviewer. Ms. Crane travels extensively and speaks often at reading conventions nationwide. She has residences in Florida, North Carolina and Michigan. Award-winning wildlife artist Michael Glenn Monroe has illustrated nine children's books to date. A self taught painter, his knowledge and experience with landscapes and wildlife come alive in his popular collection of original wildlife paintings.

S is for Sunshine is a part of the Discover America State by State series published by Sleeping Bear Press, an imprint of Thomson Gale (http://www.sleepingbearpress.com/). This recently completed series features colorful, educational books for young readers on each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Thomson Gale, a global leader in serving the world's information and education needs, has donated 150 of the 300 copies of S is for Sunshine that will be distributed at the National Book Festival. "Florida has a special relationship with Thomson Gale," said Secretary Hood. "In 2004, they responded to the great needs of Florida's schools and libraries that were damaged during the hurricane season by providing them, free of charge, with much-needed information resources. We are extremely grateful to them for helping us maintain the quality of our children's education during that trying time. We also appreciate their generosity in helping us share this great book about our state with the nation's children."

The 2005 National Book Festival, organized by the Library of Congress and hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, will be held on Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This festival, celebrating its fifth year, drew over 80,000 book lovers of all ages last year. The Florida Center for the Book will represent Florida in the Pavilion of the States, where they will distribute 300 copies of S is for Sunshine to festival attendees on behalf of Secretary of State Glenda Hood and the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida.