‘Largest published book in the world’ created by kids makes stop at Houston Galleria on tour
I Am Texas, the “largest published book in the world,” had a special back-to-school stop at The Galleria Friday as it continues its Lonestar State tour.
The book arrived Aug. 9 and was honored for its GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ status by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Aug. 11 during a press conference. It is scheduled be on display on Level 1, near Nordstrom, through Aug. 23.
“I congratulate and commend the iWRITE Organization, The Bryan Museum, and all the students involved in the “I Am Texas” book on this record-breaking achievement,” said Mayor Turner. “There are few things greater than the importance of literacy. It uplifts our youth and community to higher standards and achievements.”
An ode to Texas from the perspective of a child, the seven-foot book captures what the Lone Star State means to 1,000 young Texans in grades 3-12 from more than 80 school districts through stories, poetry, and artwork including 577 students from Houston and surrounding areas. During Friday’s presentation, two Houston-area student authors read selections from their stories.
Nia Shetty, now a freshman at the St. John’s School, read an excerpt from her poem, “The Puzzle that is Me” that she wrote as a 7th grader. Nia has been published two other times and was a star poet in 2021. She is a member of the iWRITE Youth Club and the copy editor of the iWRITER Magazine.
Miya Willis, a graduate of Northshore High School, read an excerpt from her poem, “I Am From Texas” that she wrote as an 11th grader. She was the Editor’s Choice Poetry Winner and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Schreiner University, a laptop and $2,000 prize.
“We were ready to do something BIG for our 13th book, and nothing is bigger or more exciting for kids than getting published PLUS breaking a world record,” said Melissa Williams Murphy, iWRITE founder and executive director of The Bryan Museum. We are especially thankful for McCoy’s Building Supply who made our Lonestar book tour possible.”
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ representatives officially decreed I Am Texas “the largest published book in the world” in Houston, Texas in late 2022.
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To celebrate the story of Texas from our next generation’s diverse perspectives, the book has toured Texas throughout 2023, thanks to the generous support of McCoy’s Building Supply.
“We’re proud of our Texas roots and our founding in Galveston, which makes us even more proud to support the Bryan Museum on this project. This project celebrates our children as artists, writers, and storytellers – it’s a collection of the stories and art of young Texans as diverse as our State, and we’re honored to sponsor the Lonestar book tour,” said Meagan McCoy Jones, McCoy’s Building Supply President and CEO.
The book tour began at The Alamo and included stops at the State Capitol Building and the Stark Museum. The book will head to Schreiner University (Sept. 4 – Oct. 2) and to the Dallas Historical Society (Nov. 20 – Dec. 1) to round out the tour.
“With all that is happening in the world right now, this project reminds all of us to stay focused on our youth,” added Williams Murphy. “We must elevate them and allow them to have pride in themselves, their work, who they are, and where they are from because perception of self matters and will shape our country’s future.”
The Bryan Museum and the iWRITE Organization, along with The New York Times bestselling author and illustrator team, Brad Meltzer, and Christopher Eliopoulos, creators of the Ordinary People Change the World Series, published I Am Texas with the help of Phillips 66, the official sponsor of its production. The young authors will become part of Meltzer and Eliopoulos’, Ordinary People Change the World series.
The team has dedicated the book to the students, their families, the faculty of Robb Elementary and the Uvalde community at the book signing and Guinness World Records announcement. The record was last set in 2007 in Brazil.
