National book awards have local connections
Vernon Area Public Library children's librarian Sarah Okner was among the small group of literacy professionals across the United States to serve on the 2021 Caldecott Medal committee, which names the most distinguished American picture book for children each year.
The artist they selected as this year's gold medal winner, Michaela Goude, is the first BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) woman and first Indigenous person to receive the honor. The award dates back to 1938.
The Caldecott winner was announced Jan. 25 by the American Library Association during its annual midwinter meeting, held virtually this year because of the pandemic.
Goade's vivid, swirling watercolors capture the sacredness of water and amplify author Carole Lindstrom's passionate call to action and celebration of Indigenous ancestry and community in "We Are Water Protectors," published in March 2020 by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Macmillan Publishing Group.
The ALA recognized another book with a local connection: author Jacqueline Woodson's "Before the Ever After" won the Coretta Scott King Award for best work by a Black author.
Woodson is the author selected for this year's One Book, One Community series hosted by Vernon Area, Indian Trails, and Cook Memorial public library districts.
The annual One Book series encourages community members to read and discuss the same book and culminates with an author event, this year slated to take place online March 18.
For more information, visit 1book.org.
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