Congratulations to New Voices in Children’s Literature Winners and Finalists

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established in 2001 to encourage and nurture the creation and publication of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators.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.