GiGi Amateau

Our White House
Looking In Looking Out

An Anthology Conceived and Created by the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance with an Introduction by David McCullough

Including "Wanted: Magnanimous, Exquisite Woman" by Gigi Amateau and her daughter Judith

From the publisher, Candlewick Press:
"More than 100 leading authors and illustrators have donated their talents to foster historical literacy. This incomparable collection of writing melds with an equally stunning array of original artwork to offer a multifaceted look at America's history through the prism of the White House. These engaging writings and illustrations, expressing varied viewpoints and interwoven with key historical events, are a vital resource for family sharing and classroom use - and an uplifting reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American. The result is a creative tour de force that will make history itself."

Exquisite Corpse

In Our White House Looking Out Looking In, Gigi and Judith's contribution includes a poem they wrote while playing Exquisite Corpse. Exquisite Corpse is a fun way to explore ideas with your friends or family by writing poetry together.

Two people can play the game, and it gets really fun with three or more friends. You play by adding words in a sequence. The combined result -- a mix of lots of different ideas and contributions -- is a delightful,exquisite corpse, or body of parts all patched up as one fine, Frankenstein of a poem.

A group of four could play like this:

• Group: Pick a topic, say, Old Dog
• Person 1: Write a line and pass the paper to person 2
• Person 2: Read the line, fold the paper over the visible line, write a line, pass the paper to person 3 (Each person only sees the previous line.)
• Person 3: Read the line, fold the paper over the visible line, write a line, pass the paper to person 4
• Person 4: Read the line, fold the paper over the visible line, write a line, pass the paper back to person 1, who starts over for a second round OR if you're finished, reads the completed poem aloud.

Remember, when your turn comes write whatever you want! Take your line in a completely new direction or tease the line before yours a little. The beauty of this game is discovering the poetry of the group.

You could make up all kinds of rules for your game of 'Corpse.' Try writing your group poem without seeing any previous lines. What if you didn't choose a topic, and each only wrote from your hearts? How about imposing a rigid order to each line:adjective-noun-verb-preposition-the? That could get weird. Think of some other rules or just go for it.

There are many variations of Exquisite Corpse, both as a word game and as a drawing game. Its origin dates back to the 1920s when French Surrealists played something similar as a parlor game. Today, you'll find dozens of Internet sites, too, playing online versions of Exquisite Corpse. Nothing beats playing it with friends, because someone always makes up something crazy and soon enough everyone is laughing their butts off. If you get bored waiting for the bus or sitting in a restaurant try playing!

About the book

• On Sale September 9, 2008
• Hardcover Anthology
• Candlewick Press, 256 pages
• Ages 10 and up
• ISBN-978-0-7636-2067-7

 

Links

Visit www.ourwhitehouse.org, the companion website and a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, and community leaders.