The Alamo Kicks Off National Reading Month With Guinness World Record™ Book, I Am Texas

7-foot-tall I Am Texas! authored by 1,000 young Texans tours Lone Star state
Displayed at The Alamo March 9 – April 30
Tour sponsored by McCoy’s Building Supply

I Am Texas!, the “largest published book in the world,” will be on display at the Alamo beginning Thursday, March 9th, through Sunday, April 30th. 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. Collectively, the student authors mentioned the Alamo 343 times throughout the book.

“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.

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

Dr. Kate Rogers, Executive Director of the Alamo Trust, Inc., said, "We are thrilled to welcome the I Am Texas Traveling Exhibition to the Alamo. This giant book is a celebration of education and a connection to our state's rich history. At the Alamo, we believe in inspiring the next generation of Texans and this exhibition is the perfect way to do just that. As we kick off National Reading Month, we encourage families to visit the Alamo and explore the stories and artwork of these talented young people."

To celebrate the arrival of I Am Texas!, the Alamo will host a reading by local students from Region 5 schools on Friday, March 10th at 10:00 AM in the Crockett Building (across from the Church)
300 Alamo Plaza.

“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.

Visitors to the Alamo will be able to see the giant book on the ground floor of the Crockett Building across from the historic Church during normal operating hours. The I Am Texas Traveling Exhibition is a unique and inspiring way to celebrate National Reading Month and the power of education. 

What:   I Am Texas! Traveling Exhibition

Who:    Public

When:  March 9th – April 30th

Where: The Alamo - Crockett Building (across from the Church
              300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

About Alamo Trust, Inc. | Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo stands as a Shrine to Texas Liberty. Alamo Trust, Inc., or the Alamo, tells the story of Texas Independence as part of its rich and diverse 300-year history to over 1.6 million visitors every year and is the #1 most visited destination in the State of Texas. In 1960, the Alamo was designated a United States National Historic Landmark, and in 2015, it became part of the Lone Star State's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness living history, experience authentic artifacts, and explore an iconic landmark that shaped the country. Visit theAlamo.org.

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.