This was my second USBBY. Last year’s USBBY, it’s normally every other year, was in Nashville, Tennessee. I looked forward to seeing some of the same people again this year such as Jacqueline Woodson, Tim Ditlow, Angus Yuen-Killick, and also enjoyed meeting new people such as Laurie Halse Anderson…
*I’m screaming here!* Laurie Halse Anderson! The only books that my middle daughter, PickyKidPix, wanted to read. And she read all of them. Every. Single. One. It started in middle school with the Chains series and then moved up to YA. Those books changed my daughter. Not only did it make her a critical reader and thinker, but it developed the empathy muscles that we talk about books can do, but it is something else to witness in your own child.
USBBY has many global children’s book prizes including The Hans Christian Anderson Medal which Laurie Halse Anderson was being honored for at USBBY in NYC.
The Hans Christian Andersen Medal is awarded biennially to the living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children´s literature. The nominations are made by the National Sections of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the recipients are selected by a distinguished international jury of children´s literature specialists.
Another highlight for me was seeing both my book and one of my book lists as part of a presentation on Shining A Light on Action: How Children’s Books Make a More Just World. I couldn’t help elbowing my friend next to me in complete disbelief!
It was moderated by Rita Williams-Garcia and included Jason Low, Aida Salazar, Ruchira Gupta, Anthony Del Col, and Areli Morales. It was a powerful presentation!
Meeting David Wiesner was another highlight. I learned how to “read” wordless picture books from his fine examples. My three children and I spent treasured hours pouring over his books and dreaming of alien life amongst us. He was also super nice!
The next USBBY is in two years and will be held in Salt Lake City. I hope to see you there!
p.s. Related posts:
Highlights from 2022 USBBY in Nashville
Sexual Misconduct: Jay Asher, Matt de la Pena, SCBWI, and #MeToo
Resources for Pre-Published BIPOC/Minority KidLit Authors and Illustrators
SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
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My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me