The New York Times’ reports that Jon Scieszka, Park Slope’s beloved, wacky and subversive  children’s book author, the man behind “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”, "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” and The Time Warp Trio series,  will be named the first national ambassador for young people’s literature on Thursday.

The position is similar to the poet laureate but for children’s literature. There are no specific responsibilities specified for this position, for which Scieszka will be paid a $25,000 stipend. But he will be expected to travel and speak to children’s groups about the importance of reading.

Scieszka runs a web-based organization called, Guys Read, meant to encourage reading in boys who’d rather play video games. Scieszka is also a member of the board of 826NYC, the drop-in tutoring center on Fifth Avenue also known as Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store.

Congrats to Jon Scieszka!