PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2014

Libraries and bookstores partner together to celebrate National Storytime Day and the new picture book President Taft is Stuck in the Bath

Award-winning author Mac Barnett will come to the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the Kenton County Public Library on May 17, after the libraries and area bookstores exceeded the requirements of a one-of-a-kind book challenge.

During the month of April, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, The Blue Marble, The Blue Manatee, WordPlay Cincy, and The Bookshelf partnered with The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Cincinnati Museum Center, and Kenton County Libraries to get more than 1,500 kids to read the new picture book, President Taft is Stuck in the Bath, which follows President William Howard Taft as he tries, with the help of his wife and Cabinet, to extract himself from the bath.

The partners exceeded that goal, prompting Barnett to make his two appearances on May 17. The day has been declared the very first Indies First Storytime Day by the American Booksellers Association and award-winning author Kate DiCamillo.

Mac Barnett visits on Saturday, May 17
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 11 a.m.
800 Vine Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-369-6900
Kenton County Public Library, 2 p.m.
502 Scott Boulevard
Covington, KY 41011
859-962-4060

About the book
"Blast!" said Taft. "This could be bad."

George Washington crossed the Delaware in the dead of night. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union. And President William Howard Taft, a man of great stature -- well, he got stuck in a bathtub. Now how did he get unstuck? Author Mac Barnett and illustrator Chris Van Dusen bring their full comedic weight to this legendary story, imagining a parade of clueless cabinet members advising the exasperated president, leading up to a hugely satisfying, hilarious finale.

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Inspired by a true anecdote, this larger-than-life tale of a presidential mishap is brimming with humor and over-the-top illustrations.

About the author
Mac Barnett is the author of several picture books, including Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, Guess Again!, and Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World. He also writes the Brixton Brothers series of mysteries. Mac is the founder of the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers, and serves on the board of 826LA, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center.

Photo Captions: (Top) President Taft is Stuck in the Bath book cover (Bottom) Photo of Mac Barnett courtesy of Sonya Sones.

About Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is one of the oldest, largest, and busiest libraries in the United States, serving a population of over 800,000 with a collection of more than 9 million items. In support of its mission of connecting people with the world of ideas and information, the Library also offers a wide variety of services and more than 20,000 free programs each year. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

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