The LOC.GOV Wise Guide : All Hail the Stinky Cheese Man

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington has appointed children’s book author Jon Scieszka as the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The position was created to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

John Scieszka, national ambassador for children’s literature

Book cover of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.”

Obviously, Scieszka isn’t “stinky,” and the Library can’t confirm or deny his attitude about dairy products. But one thing is for sure—his best-selling books, including the Caldecott Honor-winning "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” have delighted young and old alike. And, his experience as an elementary- and middle-school teacher makes him the perfect choice to help the Library promote and encourage a love of reading among children and young adults.

The Librarian of Congress names the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for a two-year term, based on recommendations from a selection committee representing many segments of the book community. The selection criteria include the candidate’s contribution to young people’s literature and ability to relate to children.

Naturally Scieszka has his own ideas on how to make reading an indispensable habit for young people. In an article for the New York Daily News, he espouses such sound advice as letting the reader choose what he or she likes to read (even if it is a comic book) and, for the parents, let your kids see you reading. The Library of Congress blog offers thoughts and invites comments on the article.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council (CBC) and the CBC Foundation are the administrators of the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature initiative.

The Center for the Book was created in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books and reading by drawing on the resources of the Library of Congress. Throughout the year, the center sponsors book talks from authors who have used the Library’s collections for their fiction and non-fiction works. Search the webcast page for “Books & Beyond” to pull up a variety of these programs.

One of the Library’s main missions is to inspire creativity and encourage lifelong learning. Helping to realize this endeavor, along with Ambassador Scieszka, is its Lifelong Literacy campaign. The Ad Council and the Library of Congress have launched a series of public-service advertisements to promote literacy in all types of learning. With the tagline “Explore new worlds,” the campaign is based on fiction classics “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the “Chronicles of Narnia,” as well as the stories of King Arthur and the Round Table.

A. John Scieszka, national ambassador for children’s literature. 2007. Center for the Book. Photo by Marc Bryan-Brown. Reproduction Information: Not available for reproduction.

B. Book cover of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.” John Scieszka and Lane Smith. 1992. Reproduction Information: Not available for reproduction.