Georgia’s Only Dog Man-themed Little Free library Awarded to West Manor Elementary School
Atlanta, GA [April 22, 2024] – Friday West Manor Elementary School in Atlanta launched a special “Dog Man” Little Free Library book-exchange box, an event where students also received books donated by Dog Man author, illustrator and Atlanta native Dav Pilkey and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company. The book-sharing box was provided by the Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization in collaboration with Atlanta Public Schools and Everybody Wins! Atlanta, who all work to improve literacy and enhance home library building. This box is one of 50 Dog Man Little Free Libraries that will be granted to child-focused sites in each U.S. state as part of the “Power Up with Reading” initiative. Pilkey, in coordination with Scholastic and Little Free Library, will donate 50,000 books to support these 50 libraries and help ignite a passion for reading.
“The entire Wes Manor family is so very thankful to have received this amazing gift from Dav Pilkey and Scholastic,” said Reginald Lawrence, West Manor Principal. “Our students are so deserving because they are the best readers in the district!”
Dav Pilkey’s artwork on the Little Free Library box includes the “Power Up with Reading” message and features Dog Man, along with other well-loved characters in his bestselling Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club series.
In a statement, Dav Pilkey said, “When I was a kid, I have fond memories of going to the library where my mom would let me pick out whatever books I wanted to read. This is how I came to associate reading with love. I’m grateful to Little Free Library, Scholastic, and the many committed librarians and teachers for all their efforts to make this world a better place. Their dedication to literacy is life changing.”
Attendees on hand to celebrate the Dog Man Little Free Library launch event included EW!A board chair, Deanna Anderson, APS Director of Library Media Services, Jennifer Saunders and Wes Manor students.
“Thank you so much for the Little Free Library at West Manor Elementary School. We are so thrilled to be the recipient of this special Little Free Library,” said Jennifer Saunders.
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ABOUT LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Little Free Library® (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. There are more than 180,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide in all 50 states, in 121 countries and on all seven continents. Through them, over 400 million books have been shared since 2009. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award as well as honors from the Library of Congress, National Book Foundation and others. The organization grants Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved areas through its Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs and champions diverse books through its Read in Color initiative. To learn more, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org.
ABOUT DAV PILKEY
Dav Pilkey has created over 60 books for children and was awarded a Caldecott Honor for his picture book The Paperboy. When Pilkey was in second grade, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and what is now widely known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because of his learning and behavioral issues in school, he was often sent out in the hallway. It was in his elementary school hallway where he created comic books about superheroes that eventually became Captain Underpants and Dog Man. His Dog Man series, launched to critical acclaim in 2016, was an instant #1 bestseller and has more than 60 million copies in print and translations in 45 languages. DreamWorks Animation recently announced that its movie adaptation of Dog Man will be released in theaters worldwide on January 31, 2025. Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series, launched more than twenty five years ago, has more than 90 million copies in print, translated into 44 languages, and released as a feature film by DreamWorks, as well as an original series on Netflix. For more information about Dav Pilkey and his books, visit http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/davpilkey
ABOUT SCHOLASTIC
For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children’s learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With international operations and exports in more than 135 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
About Everybody Wins! Atlanta
EW!A is a local nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by collaborating with community volunteers to encourage a love of reading. Through our Power Lunch, Home Library and Corporate Reading Days, EW!A impacts students and community members in three metro counties, five school districts and in person and virtual learning spaces. For more information, please visit everybdoywinsatlanta.org.
