Charlotte Zolotow Award Goes to Greg Foley
RSSBy Joan Oleck -- School Library Journal, 01/30/2008
Greg Foley is winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award for Thank You, Bear (Viking, 2007), his debut picture book about the uncertainties of childhood.
Thank You, Bear, intended for children ages three to seven, tells the story of Bear who begins to doubt whether a gift for his friend Mouse is the right one when others criticize it. In a starred review, SLJ wrote that, "Young listeners, particularly those who understand the value of leaves and stones and bottle caps, will love this book…absolutely charming."
The Zolotow award for 2008 also named three honor books, all from 2007. They are At Night (Farrar, Straus) by Jonathan Bean; Pictures from Our Vacation (HarperCollins) by Lynne Rae; and Dragon Dancing (Viking) by Carole Lexa Schaefer.
Winning the award's "Highly Commended" distinction were: Those Shoes (Candlewick) by Maribeth Boelts; Only You (Harcourt) by Robin Cruise; "The Trouble with Dogs…" Said Dad (Candlewick) by Bob Graham; The Chicken Chasing Queen of Lamar County ((Farrar, Straus) by Janice N. Harrington; A Good Day (HarperCollins) by Kevin Henkes; What Happens on Wednesdays (Farrar, Straus) by Emily Jenkins; The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll (Schwartz & Wade) )by Patricia McKissack; Pierre in Love (Orchard) by Sara Pennypacker; Granddad's Fishing Buddy (Dial) by Mary Quigley; and Jazz Baby (Harcourt) by Lisa Wheeler.
The award, established in 1998, is presented by the Cooperative Children's Book Center in Madison, WS, to honor the work of distinguished children's book author Charlotte Zolotow, creator of more than 70 picture books. The award is accompanied with a $1,000 cash prize and a bronze medallion.
