7-foot-tall I Am Texas authored by 1,000 young Texans is a Guinness World Record^TM holder!

Tour sponsored by McCoy’s Building Supply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
                                                                              
MEDIA CONTACTS:     
Kim Stinebaker, DPWPR
M: 713-305-6602 or kim@dpwpr.com

GALVESTON – I Am Texas, the “largest published book in the world,” will be honored on the steps of the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday, May 2^nd at 10 a.m. 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.

“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.”

State Senator Mayes Middleton (Dist. 11) hosted the press conference on the steps of the Capitol and joined Austin-area student authors, their families, and leaders from Galveston’s Bryan Museum on the steps to honor the book’s GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™status while promoting writing and literacy.As part of the press conference, Austin-area student authors will read from their stories.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ representatives officially decreed I Am Texas “the largest published book in the world” in Houston, Texas in late 2022.

“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.

To celebrate the story of Texas from our next generation’s diverse perspectives, the book will tour Texas throughout 2023 thanks to the generous support of McCoy’s Building Supply. The book tour began at The Alamo in March, and will continue with stops that include:

• Stark Museum (May 10 – July 29)
• Schreiner University (Sept. 4 – Oct. 2)
• Dallas Historical Society (Nov. 20 – Dec. 1)

“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 and 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’s, 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. Photos and video can be found here.

Thank you to I Am Texas sponsors: PHILLIPS 66, Title Sponsor; H-E-B, Publishing Contest Sponsor; The Texas Center at Schreiner University, Education Sponsor; McCoy’s Building Supply, Book Tour Sponsor; Taste of Texas Restaurants, Texas Committee Sponsor; Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, School Book Grant Sponsor; The Summerlee Foundation; The Hamill Foundation; SHESPACE; Bella Becho, Book & Print Bindery; Houston Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club; Foxmark Manufacturing Branding Solutions.

About the Bryan Museum – After a careful restoration of the old Galveston Orphans Home in Galveston, Texas, The Bryan Museum opened its doors in 2015. With 20,000 square feet of exhibit space and lush, manicured grounds, it has become a Texas destination.  The permanent collection, assembled by J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan, is one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West. The collection spans more than 12,000 years and over 70,000 items in total, with pieces ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern twenty-first century art. The mission of The Bryan Museum is to bring the history of Texas and the American West to life. Through its world-class collections, exhibitions, and educational history and literacy programs, students of all ages get a chance to experience the stories of yesterday and write the stories of tomorrow. For more information, visit thebryanmuseum.org.

About iWrite – iWRITE Nonprofit Organization builds student confidence through writing. Founded in 2009 by children’s author, Melissa Williams Murphy, iWRITE professionally publishes 3rd-12th grade students through its annual competition and provides writing programs and leadership opportunities to youth. The organization’s mascot, “i” The Guy, visits elementary schools across the Houston area to encourage students to become writers and can be found within the pages of the elementary writing curriculum. The iWRITE youth club gives middle school and high school students the opportunity to volunteer at the organization and write for and produce the iWRITER Magazine. Visit iWRITE.org to learn more.

About Ordinary People Change the World – Ordinary People Change the World is the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos that focuses on well-known figures in history. The inception for the series, which currently has more than 3.5 million copies in print, came from a personal place for Brad Meltzer: he wanted to give his own children heroes of character, kindness, and compassion – he did not want his children to think that someone “famous for being famous” on social media constitutes someone to emulate. From his love of history, Brad knew there were inspirational heroes for his children to look up to, and he decided to write about them. The series, which has 25 heroes and counting, includes figures like Billie Jean King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Leonardo da Vinci, Anne Frank, and in Fall 2021, Oprah Winfrey and I. M. Pei will be welcomed into the series.