Thursday, February 12, 2009

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award + Love

I have exciting news to share—another award announcement, but this time it’s a POETRY award! The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, the University Libraries, and the Pennsylvania School Librarians' Association are pleased to announce the winner of the 2009 LEE BENNETT HOPKINS POETRY AWARD as well as the honor award winners.

This year celebrates the l5th Anniversary of the Award...the first of its kind for poetry in the history of children's literature. The Award comes with a $1,000 cash gift from Mr. Hopkins.

2009 WINNER
Diamond Willow by Helen Frost (Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

2009 HONOR BOOKS
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Company)
Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Random House)

Congratulations to each of these wonderful poets! And in honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s another gem from Diamond Willow, a LOVE poem…






















Diamond Willow
was one of my favorite books of the year and I wrote about it previously on May 16, and a week later, May 23, I reviewed The Surrender Tree, another favorite. I didn’t get Stitchin’ and Pullin’ til late in the year, thus a sad omission on my part because it's also a wonderful book.]

Join the Poetry Friday crew at Big A Little A-- thank you, Kelly!

Image credit: www.smartertravel.com

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all the winners. Let these people spread the power of poems.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Sylvia!
Where did you find that picture?
It looks just like Willow and Roxy!
Helen Frost

Sylvia Vardell said...

Helen, I'm so glad you approve. I thought the picture could be Willow and Roxy, too. It turned up at www.smartertravel.com when I searched Google images for "sled dog and girl."

laurasalas said...

This was such a lovely book--I was really happy to see this news!

Mary Walker said...

Children should be given access to the world of modern literature, and it must be worthy. Such awards, in my opinion, give reason to many poets and writers for creating really deserving books and verses. Congratulations to all winners. I’ll use the info for my essay writing services.