Traverse City, Michigan – What do a graphic novel about the Boston Tea Party, a
picture book about a hyperactive monkey, and an instructive book about children’s
vision impairments have in common? They’re all medalists in the 2008 Moonbeam
Children’s Book Awards, honoring the year's best children’s books, authors and
illustrators.
Judges chose 138 gold, silver and bronze medalists in 31 categories. The aforementioned Ropes of Revolution, by J. Gunderson; illustrated by Brent Schoonover(Stone Arch Books) was the Comic/Graphic Novel gold medalist, Monkey with a Tool Belt, written and illustrated by Chris Monroe (Carolrhoda/Lerner) won a silver medal in the 4-8 Year Old Picture Book category, and All Children Have Different Eyes, by Edie A. Glaser and Maria Burgio, Ph.D; illustrated by Doina Paraschiv (Vidi Press)was a bronze medalist in the Health Issues category.
The Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary
children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long
reading. A wide range of children’s publishing categories from alphabet books to
young adult novels and including specialties like Children’s Poetry and Environmental
Issues were judged by expert panels of youth educators, librarians, booksellers, and
book reviewers. Award recipients receive gold, silver and bronze medals and stickers
depicting a mother and child reading and silhouetted by a full moon.
The Peacemaker Award for the best book promoting world peace and human tolerance went
to Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World, by Natalie Maydell and Sep Riahi; illustrated by Heba Amin (Global Content Publishing). That award is given in honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek (1990-2004) whose message of hope and peace has inspired millions of people around the world, and was an impetus in the creation of these awards.
This year’s award-winning books present a diverse range of subjects and formats, and
the winning publishers are widely dispersed geographically. Moonbeam medals were
awarded to authors and publishers from 30 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, and
four countries overseas. The cause of promoting childhood literacy knows no
boundaries, and the award winners illustrate that point well, coming not only from
long-established publishers and university presses, but from small presses,
foundations, museums, and self-published entrepreneurs.
“We congratulate this year’s award winners and applaud the role these books play in
enriching children’s lives,” says Moonbeam Awards founder Jerrold Jenkins, father of
four children ranging in ages 6 to 16. “Today’s world is a confusing place to grow
up, and children’s book authors and publishers have risen to the occasion, creating
books that not only celebrate the joys of childhood, but also help families deal with
its challenges. We created Moonbeam to reward the best of these books and bring them
to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and to the kids themselves.”
Jenkins Group has been involved in book packaging, marketing and distribution since
1988, and many of its employees now have children and grandchildren who strongly
influence the company culture with their youthful exuberance and love of books.
Read a Moonbeam Award-winning book to your child today!
Complete contest results available on the Moonbeam site!
For more information on Awards or medalists contact:
Jim Barnes, Awards Director
www.independentpublisher.com / www.moonbeamawards.com
Ph: 1.231.933.4954 x1011
