MORE 2007 CHILDRENS' BOOKS AWARD WINNERS

The 2007 Coretta Scott King Awards (given to an "African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions") were announced earlier this year at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. The Author Award was given to Sharon Draper for Copper Sun. The Honor Book in this category was The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes. The Illustrator Award was given to Kadir Nelson for Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (written by Carole Boston Weatherford). The Honor Books in this category were Jazz illustrated by Christopher Myers (written by Walter Dean Myers) and Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes illustrated by Benny Andrews (edited by David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad). The John Steptoe New Talent Award (Author) (for "excellence in writing or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published book creator") was given to Traci L. Jones for Standing Against the Wind.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (given to "an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children") was given posthumously to Author/illustrator James Marshall. More about him at Wikipedia.

MARDI GRAS 2007

Tuesday, February 20, is the final day of Mardi Gras. Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is February 21, beginning the 40 days leading up to Easter. New Orleans is hosting numerous parades again.

This day is also known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day (can you say "free pancakes" at IHOP?). It is also known as Paczki (punchki)Day in many Polish communities. [The Library will be getting some from Jarosch Bakery here in Elk Grove--yum!]

XIN NEIN KUAI LE (HAPPY NEW YEAR)

The Year of the Pig, 4705, begins today. More information on Chinese New Year can be found at InfoPlease and
Wikipedia. Some appropriate recipes can be found at AllRecipes.Com and at About.Com.