Press/Journalists

National Archives Celebrates Mini Page Success
Press Release · Thursday, June 21, 2007

"Mini Page Guide to the Constitution" wins Association of Education Publishers’ Award

Washington, DC…The National Archives announced late last week that "The Mini Page Guide to the Constitution," a series created by Betty Debnam and distributed by Universal Press Syndicate, has won a 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP). National Archives staff, including Lee Ann Potter, director of education and volunteer programs, assisted Debnam in creating this award-winning series.

Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein praised The Mini Page project as "an important and useful guide," adding: "The Mini Page series has contributed greatly to the ongoing initiative to engage children in learning about the Constitution."

The nine-part series originally ran in newspapers as part of The Mini Page syndicated feature from September 2005 through May 2006. Sections include an Introduction (Convention City, Philadelphia, 1787), Our Constitution, The Constitution’s Purpose, Big Ideas in the Constitution, Listed and Suggested Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism, Signing the Constitution, The Bill of Rights and Amendments.

AEP Award judges lauded the series as "perfect for the intended audience. This is easy to understand and a great learning tool. Information-rich and kid-friendly …" The series was so warmly received by teachers and readers that a compilation book was produced in order to make it available to a wider readership. "The Mini Page Guide to the Constitution" was published in October 2006 by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Former schoolteacher Betty Debnam created The Mini Page 38 years ago. Ms. Debnam presents interesting, timely and sometimes complex topics in simple ways that are enjoyable for children. A favorite of parents, teachers and children, The Mini Page has won numerous awards for Educational Excellence from Association of Educational Publishers and appears in more than 500 newspapers.

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For more press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at 202-357-5300.

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