Harold Underdown’s site, The Purple Crayon, has a listing with links to amazon pages so you can go learn more about each of the ALA award winners.

First, congratulations to the winners!

Various thoughts

I was especially pleased to see Cynthia Kadohata had won. Note: whenever authors of color win, it always seems to be for historicals.

The People Could Fly: The Picture Book by the Dillons is my one pick that was recognized and as a CSK honor book. (At least so far, I haven’t seen the lists yet). Oh, and Frank Morrison, illustrator of Jazzy Miz Mozetta was a CSK new talent winner. That’s two!

I’m thrilled that Lawrence Yep won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. I wish I could norminate someone for this medal next year. I’d nominate Joseph Bruchac. I wonder if he would have mixed feelings accepting a medal named after someone whose work is controversial among Indians. Hm.

I’m also thrilled that Coming on Home Soon, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Jacqueline Woodson was a Caldecott Honor Book. I met Jacqueline Woodson at NCTE/Indy this past fall, was generally in awe, and stammered a lot. She was lovely.

E.B. Lewis has had this recognition coming for a long time. He’s illustrated books by two of my friends, Jane Kurtz and Dianna Aston.