The Shoreline Arts Alliance has announced the winners and finalists of the New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards, and two of my friends were named.
Congratulations to Bette Anne Reith, who won the YA category and Betsy Devany, who was a finalist in the picture book middle grade, and young adult categories! Amazing.
I’ve read both of their books and they are fantastic!
New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards
Announces 2012 Winners & Finalists
Board books, picture books, chapter books and novels are many of the works submitted by authors and illustrators in Connecticut for review by a panel of experts in the field of children’s literature. Children’s books provide a forum to learn about people and places throughout the world by offering an understanding of humanity, inspiring creativity, and giving access to new ideas and concepts
The Shoreline Arts Alliance recognizes the best in children’s books with the New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards. An annual juried competition, the Tassy’s were established in 2001 to encourage and nurture the creation and publication of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators. An award of $250 may be presented to winners in each of five children’s book categories as judged by publishing industry experts.
Editors, publishers and art directors from major children’s publishing houses have selected the following recipients for this year’s awards:
Picture Book (text):
Winner: Halloween House by Nicole Panteleakos, Plainfield
Finalists: How Many Sleeps Till Grandma Comes? by Carol Boas, Wilton
A Princess Needs A Parade by Betsy Devany, Ledyard
Pond Monster by Jacquelin C. Devlin, North Haven
Little Brother by Jessica Loupos, Gales Ferry
Illustrated Picture Book:
Winner: Aqua Marine by Lynne Stephens Massey, Norwalk
Finalists: Aubrey and the Circus by Amanda Boyd-Yin, Stamford
The Amazing Imaginary Adventures of Skippy & Lou by Magge Gagliardi, Berlin
Abecedarium Insectarium by Lynne Stephens Massey, Norwalk Dear Friend by Marcela Staudenmaier, New Haven
Illustrator’s Portfolio
Winner: Marcela Staudenmaier, New Haven
Finalist: Anneliese Juergensen, Cheshire
Middle Grade Novel
Winner: The House and the Hurricane by Nick Appleby, Hamden
Honorable Mention: Indiana Bamboo by Meira Rosenberg, Stamford
Finalists: Paisley Flynn and the Magic Hat Society by Kimberly Ciecko, Madison
Ibbie-Rae Paves the Way by Betsy Devany, Ledyard
The Weed Whackers, Open for Business by Barbara Gold, Stamford
Sarah the Bold by Eileen Lettick, Wallingford
In the Bag by Edna Wells, Northfield Listening in the Snow by Jeanne Zulick, Ellington
Young Adult/Teen Novel
Winner: Greetings from the Miracle by Bette Anne Rieth, Shelton
Honorable Mention: A Novel of the Conquest, 1066 by Meg Eilidh Green, Milford
Finalist: Center Stage by Leslie Cahill, Milford
Finding Beauty by Betsy Devany, Ledyard
On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the Shoreline Arts Alliance will celebrate the 12th annual New Voices in Children’s Literature competition and bestow the 2012 Tassy Walden awards at the James Blackstone Memorial Library, 748 Main Street, Branford, Connecticut at 7:00pm. The event is open to the public and free to attend. And all are invited to join the winners and finalists at a reception following the awards presentation.
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