Colorado kids — and their parents — can pick up a free copy of Eric Litwin’s “Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown” at participating libraries through April 23 as part of the annual , state officials said this week.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, author Litwin and others highlighted the title at a Tuesday morning reveal at the Capitol, followed by Litwin’s ongoing tour of schools and book stores to promote the color-splashed picture book, which was published in September.
“One Book 4 Colorado puts books into the hands of children and families across the state,” Lynne said via email. “There’s a lot that comes with actually holding a book along with your small child and reading it together. By giving every 4-year-old the same book, this collaborative program is creating a strong culture of literacy in Colorado.”
Illustrated by fellow New York Times bestseller Tom Lichtenheld, Litwin’s book tells the story of tail-wagging, music-loving dog Groovy Joe. Litwin is best known for creating and writing the first four “Pete the Cat” books, which have sold millions of copies and inspired toys and an Amazon Prime animated series.
With the help of corporate sponsors, including publisher Scholastic, Colorado this year purchased about 77,000 copies to distribute to kids across the state. A map with hundreds of pick-up locations is available at .
‘It’s still a very expensive program, but we don’t use any tax dollars,” said Antonio Mendez, executive director of , the governor’s commission on community service. “And we’ve got some other partners working with us, so besides libraries this is the first year you can pick it up at some Comcast Xfinity stores and other distribution sites.”
Mendez, who helped select the book, estimated the overall investment at about $200,000. He said increased interest from sponsors such as Comcast, Walmart, Southwest Airlines (whose gate agents will hand out books to kids at Denver International Airport) and McDonald’s (which will promote the book with specially printed tray liners) stems from their realization of the program’s growing popularity.
The number of books the state orders has increased year-over-year, he said, from 70,000 to 75,000, and now more than 77,000.
“Lamar Advertising even donated some billboard space over by Federal (Boulevard), so we’re trying to get the word out on all different kinds of avenues,” Mendez said.
The book was chosen in part for its playful nature, which encourages adults to sing the words to their kids.
“(The) interactive approach to early literacy aligns with Anythink’s focus on participatory learning experiences,” said Erica Grossman, creative lead for Thornton’s Anythink Libraries. Their Commerce City location hosted a reading by Litwin shortly after the official reveal Tuesday. “We’re excited to bring such an acclaimed and entertaining performer to the kids and caregivers of our community, while also supporting the work and mission of the One Book 4 Colorado initiative.”
Gov. Hickenlooper, then mayor of Denver, started the program in 2011 as One Book One Denver, eventually taking it statewide. Each year, elected officials, publishers and kids vote on a selection of books that is eventually narrowed down to a winner — mostly hingeing on kids’ online votes.
“The message of the book is all about inclusivity and about inviting other people to your party,” Mendez said. “Because there’s always room for one more at a party.”
Or 77,000, as the case may be.
Last week, city officials also announced the 2018 winner of the Youth One Book, One Denver summer-reading program: Dusti Bowling’s “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.”
