I just got off the phone with Lin Oliver from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The first thing she said was, “Are you sitting or standing?” I was sitting at my kitchen table, ready to eat a spoonful of homemade Portuguese kale soup when she told me the news that Pocketful of Posies has won the Golden Kite Award! I can honestly say that this was a complete surprise.
What is so special is that my book was selected by a jury of my peers. For those of you who may not be familiar with SCBWI, it’s an organization that helps writers and illustrators prepare for and navigate the baffling business of children’s book publishing. I’ve been a member since my first book, The Way Home came out 20 years ago (see post here), but you don’t have to be a published author or artist to join. I’ve been invited to accept the award and give a class at their annual conference in Los Angeles this August. The idea is still sinking in as I write this post. My editor, Margaret Raymo at Houghton Mifflin doesn’t even know yet. Tomorrow will be a busy day, with fitting in calls before and after my 11:00am book signing at the Cape Cod Children’s Museum. Thank you for this honor!
SALLEY MAVOR 
Your work is so well deserving of this award! Congratulations!
Congratulations on your well deserved award…your work is so lovely and inspires the youngest of readers to pause and take another look at your wonderful illustrations. Enjoy the moment in the sunshine! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Oh Salley – Congratulations! It is the cherry on top of the Sundae. Your work is absolutely exceptional – it’s about time more people became aware of it! I know all of us would love to be there the day you get handed this honor – know that we will be, in spirit. You go girl!!!! WooHoo
I belonged to SCBWI for years – had no idea they were still out there! Congratulations on the Golden Kite award! So exciting and well deserved! I am so happy for your recognition as I know your art takes far longer than most media used for children’s book arts and it is so beautifully done. When 50-year-old women are eagerly buying a nursery rhyme book, you know it’s good LOL!
So happy and excited for you, Salley. You and your book more than deserve this award. Very pleased that it has been given for your different type of illustrations that so beautifully add to the text. Also I’m so happy to have been in on the process leading up to it. It was fun to see that process. Congratulations!!!
Congratulations, a well deserved accolade for a great book.
Congratulations!!!
Oh, Congratulations! This is well-deserved and I am so glad for you. “Pocketful” is such a beautiful book.
Congratulations Salley, this is wonderful!
Endless kudos Salley!! It is so richly deserved. It has been a joy to see your growth as an artist culminate in this award.
Wow! What a wonderful way to be honored!
Oh this is wonderful congratulation I’m really happy for you as you deserve this award.
Not surprised at all! Congratulations!
Salley, How fantastic and well deserved!!! What a fun time you will have in August, too. Congratulations!!!!
Many many congratulations Salley, and so well deserved! Sending some spring sunshine from the UK,
Jane x
Congratulations Salley!!! You are GREAT (I told you :)))
How wonderful! Congratulations!!
Congratulations Sally, well deserved award. All the best, Enjoy
This is wonderful news, Salley, on this book that showcases your incredible talent. So proud for you.
Congratulations Salley! How can your beautiful work not win?
Wonderful! Congrats
Finally you are in my neck of the woods, many, many congratulations. You deserve this honor.
Come for dinner!
Jenny
WooHoo! Fantastic news Salley!
HOORAY !!!! Couldn’t be more thrilled for you, Salley!
A fabulous book!!
Carolyn C
Congratulations, Salley! I would love to meet you in LA if you go to the conference. You are my hero!
A well-deserved honor. Congratulations!
Yahoo! You totally and completely deserve it. You are an inspiration and incredible artist. You’re an overnight success! (just teasing…) A lot of hard work especially when you were still recovering from your injury. BTW, I contacted MOCHA (Museum of Children’s Art) in Oakland, CA to see if I could talk to someone about bringing your show out this way, but still haven’t heard back. I’ll keep trying. Does this mean my chances of getting someone on the West Coast to bring your show out have just greatly improved? I’m really, really happy for you, Salley. Congratulations!
congratulations!
Heartfelt congratulations!!!
Congratulations! It’s a beautiful book.
What a wonderful honor to someone who richly deserves it. All of your books are winners and it’s great to hear that you are finally being recognized and honored by a jury of your peers. Have a wonderful time at the meeting in August. I hope you are ready to print a lot more copies of “Posies”. Congratulations and BRAVO!!
Congratulations, Salley!!! You will be coming to the Muscatine Art Center soon and we can’t wait to see the art for this wonderful book!
It’s great to hear from all of you out there in blog land. Thanks so much for your words of support!
Congratulations! Such well-deserved recognition, you are most certainly the only one to be surprised by such an announcement. Can’t wait to see where your work takes you next.
Congratulations!!!! Will you be doing a book signing while in the Los Angeles area? If so, I would be the first in line with my boys. They love your books and all the details on each page.
Thanks, Shelly. It’s too early to say if I’ll be doing any books events outside of the SCBWI conference. I’ll be sure to list anything if it’s added.
Congratulations. The award is very well deserved.
I have been a fan of yours for years! Long before the Wee Folk book came out we purchased a few of your kits. My boys, now in college enjoyed making them and then coming up with their own versions of knights, wizards, and woodland people and animals.
My sister gave me the new book for Christmas. I just love it! I am hoping that the original works will make their way to an exhibit near me. (south east Michigan)
So are you coming to the conference this summer then?
sorry, had to add something because I forgot to check the box so I know your response to my question!
Hi Theresa,
Yes, I’ll be coming to the SCBWI conference! Will you be going, too? I’m giving a workshop titled “the joys and challenges of dimensional illustration” on Sunday, August 7th, at 10:45 am and then an acceptance speech at the luncheon. It would be great to see you again!
Oh, wow! Well deserved. I hope you had a great time.