Following an unprecedented sellout of the book Goodnight Bartlesville in just three days, a second printing is now available.
“It’s just in time for Christmas,” says Blair Ellis, author of the children’s book, and executive director of the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation. The Foundation published the book as a fund raising project to benefit the Bartlesville Public Schools.
Designed by Michael Wray and edited by Joe Williams, the book takes readers on a visual tour of landmarks across Bartlesville, while raising funds for BPS Foundation programs. It showcases illustrations by eight Bartlesville Public School art teachers and four high school art students who beautifully depict community treasures like the Price Tower, Kiddie Park, Woolaroc, and the Bartlesville Civic Ballet. The illustrations each accompany a short rhyming sentence, similar to the style of the classic Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Truity Education Foundation, 100% of the proceeds from the book benefit local educational programs such as grants to teachers, agricultural education development, STEM curriculum, after-school mentoring, and more.
“In addition to raising funds for the BPS Foundation,” says Ellis, “we hope the book will showcase our community’s landmarks and promote a love of reading, especially among our youngest students, while highlighting the talents of Bartlesville Public Schools art teachers and students.” To that end, the Foundation is giving a copy of the book to every kindergarten class across the District, as well as a copy for every elementary school library. Several residents have sponsored copies of the books for entire elementary classes.
At the beginning of 2022, the Foundation will host an “author and illustrator meet-and-greet,” giving the public, and especially elementary children, the opportunity to visit with the author and illustrators of the book, have copies autographed, and learn about the process of creating and publishing a book. Later, the Foundation plans to auction the original artwork featured in the book.
A second printing is now available for purchase online at bpsfoundation.org/goodnightbville/; at Moxie on Second; Buttercup Market; Price Tower Gift Shop; and the Bartlesville Area History Museum. Books retail for $12.95. Copies can also be purchased with cash or check at the Education Service Center for $10. For bulk orders or to purchase books for a classroom, please contact Blair Ellis at the BPS Foundation, 918-336-8600 ext 3523 or ellisb@bps-ok.org.
– Written for the BPS Foundation by BHS Intern, Mia Archambo, Class of 2022.