First Lady Patricia Blagojevich announces August selections for Children's Reading Club: L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin and Lynne Rae Perkins' Criss Cross

CHICAGO - First Lady Patricia Blagojevich today announced August selections for her Children's Reading Club - L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin and Lynne Rae Perkins' Criss Cross. One of this month's selections, L is for Lincoln, reveres famous Illinois icons, including inventions native to the state like the Ferris Wheel and John Deere tractors and the famed animal that allegedly caused the great Chicago fire, Mrs. O'Leary's Cow.

"When children have a chance to learn about their state and the truth behind significant historical figures by reading books like L is for Lincoln, they gain a sense of pride as young citizens," said the First Lady. "It's important for our children to understand where they come from and what they're apart of so that they can learn to be proud of who they are as Americans and as Illinoisans."

L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabetby Kathy-jo Wargin, for preschoolers, depicts important Illinois icons, one for each letter of the alphabet including state symbols, historical figures and natural resources. The children's book is complete with beautiful illustrations and witty poetry and prose, making it an additional resource for Illinois teachers as well as parents.

The book selection for the middle school reading level, Lynne Rae Perkins' 2006 Newberry Medal winner Criss Cross, tells the tale of Debbie, a girl on the brink of adolescence, wishing for something good to happen to her "soon." The story follows Debbie and her friends while their paths "criss cross" in their early teenage trials and their search and discovery of first love. Perkins has written and illustrated several other books, including the Criss Cross companion, All Alone in the Universe.

The First Lady launched the Children's Reading Club literacy initiative in March of 2005, to encourage parents to read with their children. The club is a recommended reading list made up of books the First Lady and her daughters enjoy at home. The Children's Reading Club applies to all children, but specifically targets children between the ages of seven and twelve. Each month's book selection is featured on the First Lady's website, http://www.illinois.gov/firstlady.