Mary Brigid Barrett

Children's Author

Mary Brigid Barrett is a children’s book author and illustrator; a professional educator; and the founder, president, executive director of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) — and a mom of three artistic and book-loving children.

Mary Brigid Barrett describes how Charlotte’s Web is the perfect story for teaching kids about writing, plot structure, and characterization.

Biography

Mary Brigid Barrett was a voracious reader growing up and regularly visited the public library in the Cleveland neighborhood where her family lived. She helped form the NCBLA — an advocacy group that promotes children’s literacy, literature and libraries — when she realized that many kids from at-risk communities do not have easy access to a quality public library or books at home.

Barrett has taught creative writing and book illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and lectures at colleges and universities throughout New England. She also teaches writing workshops to students of all ages through in-school residency programs.

Barrett is the co-editor of the critically acclaimed NCBLA book Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (2008, Candlewick Press). This remarkable book is a perfect read-aloud for families with children of all ages — an anthology of prose, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and art designed to promote reading, historical literacy, and civic engagement. Barrett attributes a serendipitous lunch conversation with historian David McCullough as the inspiration for the book.

Books by this author

Leaf Baby: Baby Seasons Board Books

Mary Brigid Barrett

Illustrator:

Eve Chwast

Age Level:

0-3

Genre:

Fiction

The large format of this collection of stories both factual and fictionalized has been created by about 100 notable authors and illustrators with an introduction by historian David McCullough. Ideal for sharing aloud at home or in the classroom, activities and additional resources are up-to-date at a companion website (opens in a new window).

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

National Children's Book & Literacy Alliance, Mary Brigid Barrett

Age Level:

9-12

Genre:

Nonfiction

Pat-a-Cake

Mary Brigid Barrett

Illustrator:

LeUyen Pham

Age Level:

0-3

Genre:

Poetry

Down at the corner of Magnolia and Vine, you’ll find the shop of Shoebox Sam — where old shoes become like new again and anyone in need finds a friend. Delia and Jessie spend Saturdays with Shoebox Sam, helping him with customers, rich and poor. They learn about giving and caring, loving and sharing. Then one day, when a customer notices a prized pair of shoes, they uncover their greatest lesson of all. [Amazon]