Propel School’s Afterschool Program and The City of Asylum invite guests to travel Under the Tent and Around the World on May 16.

From 6-8 p.m. at 318 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh PA 15212, guests will receive “passports” and have the opportunity to experience the cultures of Japan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Argentina, Peru, Guatemala and Haiti through readings, art, music and foods.

The Children of Shangri Lost, a student advocacy group for Bhutanese refugees, will kick off the evening with a dance performance, followed by readings by Tuhin Das and Graciela Bonnet, two authors from the City of Asylum. Tuhin and Graciela will share original stories in their native languages (Bengali and Spanish, respectively). Penny Arcade will conclude the event with an improv performance built on audience participation.

Download the media advisory here.

About the Authors:

Tuhin Das
Born and raised in Barisal, Bangladesh, Das’s life as a writer began as a primary school student when he would write children’s poems and send them for publishing in newspapers. Now, he is the author of seven poetry books in his native language (Bengali). Along with poetry, he has been writing stories for young readers. Tuhin Das is now the writer-in-residence of City of Asylum in Pittsburgh.

Graciela Bonnet
Publisher, draftsman and poet, Bonnet was born in Córdoba, Argentina. She holds a degree in Spanish literature from the Central University of Venezuela. She is the author of “En caso de que todo falle” and “Libretas doradas, lápices de carbón.” In the year 2000 she participated in the meeting of Women Poets in Cereté, Colombia. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Propel McKeesport kindergarten student Samuel “Sam” Davidson has been named a finalist in the 2017 PBS KIDS Writers Contest. He is one of 26 finalists in WQED’s competition for students in grades K-5.

His submission, “Boogerman Robs a Bank,” which he wrote and illustrated, was selected from more than 1,000 entries from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Delaware. It tells the story of what happens when Davidson uses his super-hero powers to take on Boogerman.

The Propel kindergartner said his imagination and love of books have motivated him to write at least “a thousand” stories.

Teachers, librarians, administrators, WQED staff and board members and EQT employees judged entries based on their original story, word count and illustrations. WQED will award first-, second- and third-place and honorable mention for each grade.

In addition, the public has an opportunity to vote for the “Kid’s Public Choice Winner.” To vote and to view other submissions, go to the 2017 Writers Contest website May 12-19.

The winners and three STEM awards will be announced May 21 at the Winners Celebration at WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio. Winners will have their stories made into puppet shows by Pittsburgh Puppet Works, and iQKidsRadio.org and Saturday Light Brigade Radio will broadcast recorded readings of their stories this summer.

WQED’s press release announcing the finalists can be downloaded here.

Like Davidson’s story? Share it on social media with the hashtags #PBSKIDS #EQT #WQEDwrites.