The NCBLA would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following organizations and individuals.


The National Endowment for the Humanities

The NCBLA is most grateful for the generous grant awarded us by the National Endowment of the Humanities. This grant allowed us to build the Our White House website as the educational, online companion for Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. We are thrilled that the NEH and the American Library Association have chosen Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out as a selection for its 2009-2010 We the People Bookshelf on the theme “Picturing America.”  In April 2009, NEH and ALA awarded to 4,000 K-12 schools and public libraries a set of classic hardcover books, including Our White House—all related to the “Picturing America” theme. The NCBLA would like to give special thanks to Bruce Cole, NEH Chairman; Thomas Phelps,  Director of the Division of Public Programs; and Patti Van Tuyl, Senior Program and Development Officer, for their support, encouragement, and wisdom.

The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent, grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

For more information about the NEH, visit its website: neh.gov

For more information about the NEH’s extraordinary We the People Bookshelf program, go to: wethepeople.gov/bookshelf


The Paterson Family Foundation

The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance would like to thank the Paterson Family Foundation for matching the NEH’s website development grant; this site would not exist without that most generous support. The Paterson Family Foundation—especially Katherine and John Paterson—has continually buoyed our spirits, encouraging the NCBLA in all of its efforts. Their gift is invaluable.


The 110 Our White House Contributors

Without the priceless gifts of time and talent donated by the 110 Our White House contributors, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out would not be the beautiful book it is. The NCBLA is most appreciative of all contributor efforts, for every contributor went beyond the call of duty, and some even stepped outside of their comfort zones trying out a new genre or style. Thank you contributor writers and artists! This book is a landmark publication because of your generosity.


Candlewick Press

The NCBLA is so very proud that Candlewick Press is the publisher of Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. We want to thank Karen Lotz, Candlewick Press’ president and publisher, the creative spark of numerous brilliant ideas; Chris Paul, creative director and associate publisher, art director, and designer, who has created a masterpiece of book design; Hilary Van Dusen and Kate Fletcher, editors extraordinaire; Katie Kerr, the most unflappable art coordinator ever; Maryellen Hanley, Heather McGee, and James Weinberg, amazingly gifted designers; Gregg Hammerquist, a terrific director of graphic production; Nathan Pyritz, uber-talented graphic production manager; Amy Carlisle, a wonderful managing editor; Alexandra Redmond, a meticulous copy editor; Maggie Deslaurier, discerning proofreader; Allison D’Andrea, a marvel of a production director; and Jim Mitchell, a production controller of exceptional abilities!

We cannot forget the Our White House Dream Team marketing and sales crews. Our super marketers Jennifer Roberts, Sharon Hancock, Laura Rivas, Brittany Duncan, Anne Irza-Leggat, and Jenny Choy have done a remarkable job promoting Our White House. And we salute Candlewick’s dynamic sales team: Susan Batcheller, Kate DeRosier, Jeanne Emanuel, Jennifer Gonzalez, Brooke Husbands, Jennifer Jusseaume, Mary McCagg, Alex Nash, Meg Patriquin, Lisa Phan, Kathleen Rourke, Elise Supovitz, and Claire Taylor!

And last but not least, thank you to the always cheerful and ever gracious Candlewick Press receptionist, Ginny Wallace, who has handled all phone calls and inquires with grace and aplomb.

Candlewick Press believed in the Our White House book project from the very beginning and walked with us every step of the way of this extraordinary journey. We are most impressed by Candlewick Press’ thoughtful, intelligent staff, by their creativity, by their kind and generous spirit. Thank you!


The Our White House Website Volunteers and Staff

This site would not have unfolded without the ongoing work and efforts of our volunteers. The NCBLA thanks Edie Ching, Daphne Kalmar, Helen Kampion, Mary Kemper, Reneé Critcher Lyons, Heather Lang, Cheli Mennella, and Mary Rattray for the wonderful written work they donated. We extend special thanks to our literature advisor Maria Salvadore for her ongoing commitment and to Marilyn Ludolph for countless hours spent reviewing content and links and making well-thought recommendations for improvement.

All of us who worked on this second edition of the Our White House website stand proudly on the shoulders of the original site’s editor Eden Edwards and webmaster Elizabeth Rock. Their exceptional work on the first edition of the site provides a solid foundation for this new and expanded version, which we hope will be enjoyed by more generations of teachers, librarians, and parents.


Bob Kolar

Illustrator and author Bob Kolar generously granted permission to the NCBLA to not only allow us to include his illustration in Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out of the presidential timeline titled “1600 Pennsylvania Ave.: Who’s in the House?,” but also his individual portraits of the presidents. Take a look at each illustration featured in the “Presidential Fact Files.” Thank you!

Learn more about Bob Kolar and all of his projects on his website BobKolarBooks.com. Follow him on Instagram at Instagram.com/BobKolar.