CALVERT THE RAVEN IN THE BATTLE OF BALTIMORE Featured at National Book Festival This Weekend

The Library of Congress is preparing for the 2013 National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington D.C., this weekend, Sept 21-22. This annual celebration of American literature and culture is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors per day from across the capital region and beyond, boasting an attendance record of over 200,000 in 2011. The number of authors, illustrators, and poets as presenters has doubled since that time to over 100.

Among the specially honored books at the festival, the Library of Congress has collected 52 children's books which best capture or promote the local people and culture of each state. "52 Great Reads" features books from across the nation, one per state, and represent some of the best local writers in action today.

The Maryland Center for the Book for The National Book Festival has selected "Calvert the Raven in The Battle of Baltimore" to represent the Maryland. This title by J. Scott Fuqua, the author and illustrator, takes readers back through time to the Battle of Baltimore, a pivotal event in the little-known War of 1812.

We are now in a time of Bicentennial markers for The War of 1812, which lasted until 1815. This crucial period in American history is often remembered for the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner," which Francis Scott Key penned after watching the bombardment over the Chesapeake Bay and finding the flag of Fort McHenry still waving high after the assault.

J. Scott Fuqua wrote and illustrated the book, published by Bancroft Press, for the "Flying Through History" series by Historyworks, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. With lush, full-color illustrations and rich descriptions of the battle, this book is designed to engage children in the amazing, if sometimes frightening, history of America.

All 52 selected books will be on display at the Library of Congress during the festival event. Books are available at the festival, and can be purchased online in advance through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Baltimore-based Bancroft Press has been a leading independent general interest publisher for the past 20 years.

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