Candlewick Press titles win 2017 American Library Association Youth Media Awards
Candlewick authors and illustrators recognized with Caldecott Honor, Pura Belpré Author Award, Geisel Honor
SOMERVILLE, MA – January 23, 2017 – Candlewick Press authors and illustrators were honored today as the American Library Association (ALA) announced top books for children and young adults at its Midwinter Meeting, held January 20‒24 in Atlanta.
“We are pleased and proud to again have our Candlewick authors and illustrators recognized by the most distinguished and best known awards for children’s literature in the United States. We are so grateful that the ALA continues its vitally important work of bringing attention to high-quality literature for children — and, as important, making sure that every child has access to these works,” said Karen Lotz, president and publisher of Candlewick Press and managing director of the Walker Books Group.
The Randolph Caldecott Award Selection Committee, which recognizes illustrators for the most distinguished American picture books for children, honored Carson Ellis for Du Iz Tak? In a playful invented language and with gorgeous art, Ellis, also the author-illustrator of the acclaimed Home, tells a droll story of the natural world as insects observe the progress of the seasons.
Juana Medina received the Pura Belpré Author Award, which honors a Latino writer whose children’s book best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience, for Juana & Lucas, her debut chapter book. Accompanied by her faithful dog, Lucas, the young Colombian Juana resists learning “the English” — until her friends, family, and neighbors help her realize that mastering the tricky language may have some virtues after all.
Finally, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Committee, which recognizes the most distinguished beginning reader books, awarded a Geisel Honor to The Infamous Ratsos, written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Matt Myers. Brothers Louie and Ralphie Ratso strive to be tough, just like their dad, but every time they try to show how tough they are, their plans go hilariously awry — suggesting that being tough all the time can be really tough and showing the emotions that can underlie bullying.
About Candlewick Press:
Candlewick Press is an independent publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. For more than twenty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature emerita Kate DiCamillo, M. T. Anderson, Jon Klassen, and Laura Amy Schlitz; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and ’Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Where’s Waldo?, and Maisy. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group, together with Walker Books UK in London and Walker Books Australia. The Walker Books Group has a unique ownership structure that includes all of its employees worldwide. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com.
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Du Iz Tak?
by Carson Ellis
HC: 978-0-7636-6530-2 · $16.99 U.S. / $21.99 CAN · Picture Book
48 pages · Ages 4–8
Juana & Lucas
by Juana Medina
HC: 978-0-7636-7208-9 · $14.99 U.S. / $21.00 CAN · First Chapter Book
96 pages · Ages 5–8
The Infamous Ratsos
by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers
HC: 978-0-7636-7636-0 · $14.99 U.S. / $21.00 CAN · First Chapter Book
64 pages · Ages 5–8
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