2017 Writer Award Winner
Jeri Watts
Jeri Watts published her first picture book, Keeper, 20 years ago. She has written in other genres since then, but came back to picture books for A Piece of Home. As a professor and veteran public school teacher, Jeri knows the stories that pass through those classrooms: This book was inspired by a student. A lifelong Virginian, Jeri lives with her husband in Lynchburg.
A Piece of Home
Candlewick Press
When Hee Jun’s family moves to West Virginia from Korea, it’s hard to adjust. In Korea Hee Jun was a “regular” boy; now he is different. Everything is different. In time, he learns English and makes friends. At a friend’s, he spots flowers like those in his grandmother’s garden in Korea. He brings a shoot to his grandmother, and they plant ”a piece of home.” Fun Facts
Jeri Watts
From: Lynchburg, VA; Now: Lexington, VA
6 Word Memoir: A teacher believed: in the hands of a real writer.
Activities: Live openly: read, listen, see, touch, smell, taste, all with the idea of how writers could sense such experiences.
Distraction: I spend time with my grandchildren, read more, straighten messes, piddle around. My desk for writing is in the middle of the house so I'm available. EEK!
Upcoming: Manuscript in development
×2017 Illustrator Award Winner
Micha Archer
As an illustrator, Micha Archer earned one of the first EJK Book Award Honors. With Daniel Finds a Poem, she became an author as well. Both words and pictures suit her talent: A child’s curiosity is an apt theme for this former kindergarten teacher, and the imagery, rich in color, texture and ingenuity, reflects Micha’s career as an artist and designer. Micha lives in rural Massachusetts.
Daniel Finds a Poem
Nancy Paulsen Books
Daniel wants to write a poem, so he asks some friends—a spider, a squirrel and other creatures in the park—”What is poetry?” Each has a different ideas, and based on their views, Daniel composes a poem of his own. This book beautifully conveys the idea that poetry is all around us, wherever we can see it or feel it.
Fun Facts
Micha Archer
Micha Archer
From: Concord MA; Now: Leverett, MA
6 Word Memoir: From and for children I learn.
Activities: I walk in the mountains and plant trees and plants.
Procrastination: I am SO messy because I work in collage so my floor is covered in confetti I have snipped. When I procrastinate I make little fun collages with my scraps and wish I could just do that all day some days.
Other Awards:
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program: Daniel books
Upcoming: Manuscripts in development, 2021. ×
2017 Award Honorees
Writer Award Honoree
Illustrator Award Honoree
Francesca Sanna
The Journey
A boy recounts his family's travels from their war-torn home to someplace that will take them in. Gentle storytelling and beautiful illustrations help make this difficult subject relatable and hopeful.
Fun Facts
Francesca Sanna
From: Italy; Now: Zurich (Switzerland)
6 Word Memoir: Living between mountains, missing the sea
Activities: Trying to learn new languages (I am really bad at it!), visiting museums
Neat/Messy and Procrastination: Messy, of course. I procrastinate by embracing many of my distractions!
Other Awards:
- Amnesty CILIP Honour, Klaus Flugge Prize, Society of Illustrators Gold Medal
Upcoming: Perkin's Perfect Purple, October 2020 ×Writer Award Honoree
Stacy McAnulty
Excellent Ed
Illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach
This amusing tale asks searching questions about fitting in and being appreciated, but what keeps the story lighthearted is that it’s told from the perspective of Ed, the family dog.
Fun Facts
Stacy McAnulty
From: Upstate New York; Now: North Carolina
6 Word Memoir: Lacks natural gifts but tries hard.
Activities: I'm obsessed with the non-fiction/science section of the bookstore.
Procrastination: I procrastinate but am working on new projects. It's amazing that I ever finish anything. I could be ninety percent done with a book, and a new nugget of an idea can always lure me away.
Other Awards:
- Mathical Book Prize for "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" and Irma Black Award Honor for "Sun! One in a Billion."
Upcoming: "Millionaires for the Month," September 2020×Illustrator Award Honoree
Daisy Hirst
The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head
Written by Daisy Hirst
After her best friend moves away Isabel tries to move on, but keeping loneliness at bay seems to require a wild imagination and zany humor.
Fun Facts
Daisy Hirst
From: London, England Now: Cambridge
6 Word Memoir: Climbed a tree, stayed up there.
Activities: Doodling, walking, making toys
Neat or Messy? I'm quite messy: everything piles up until I don't know where I am and then I burrow out from under and sort it all out.
Other Awards:
- Lara Jones Award: Hilda and the Runaway Baby
- Shortlisted for Klaus Flugge Prize: The Girl with the Parrot on her Head
- Nimmerland Bilderbuchpreis: Alphonse That is Not OK to Do!
Upcoming: Hamish Takes the Train, September 2020. ×