We knew Jean as a woman with an unusual depth of experience and commitment to the business of selling books. Her years at Baker & Taylor brought her an exceptional knowledge of our industry. As a longtime board member and past president of the EPA, she provided helpful solutions, wise counsel, innovative ideas, and a whole lot of humor and good will to our association. Above all, we shared a love for children’s books and together sought ways to make them more available.
EPA’s Board of Directors and members will miss her, as will all of us who publish and distribute books. We send heartfelt condolences to her family and her colleagues at Baker & Taylor.
January 7, 2009 - The Educational Paperback Association
(EPA) today announced that Kevin Henkes is the winner
of the 30th annual Jeremiah Ludington Award. The Ludington
Award, named after the EPA's founder, is presented annually
to an individual who has made a significant contribution
to the paperback book business. Past winners have included
Mary Pope Osborne, Seymour Simon, Anita Silvey, Tomie
dePaola, Richard Peck, Lois Lowry and Paula Danziger.
Recipients receive a framed certificate and the EPA
presents a $2500 check to the charity of their choice.
Kevin Henkes will accept the award at the EPA's annual meeting in Del Rey Beach, Florida on January 14th. He has designated that his donation be sent to his local public school library at Randall Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin.
"The EPA is thrilled to add Kevin Henkes to the list of esteemed Ludington Award recipients," said Emily Jones of Delaney Educational Enterprises, Inc., who served on this year's Ludington Award committee. "As both an author/illustrator of picture books and an author of books for older children, Kevin has created wonderful books that are loved by children, parents, teachers, and librarians. We look forward to his continued success!"
Kevin Henkes was awarded the 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. He is the creator of several picture books featuring his mouse characters, including Lilly's Big Day, the #1 New York Times bestseller Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Mr. Henkes also writes for older children. His novels include Bird Lake Moon, the Newbery Honor Book Olive's Ocean, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. Kevin Henkes is published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit his web site, www.kevinhenkes.com, for more information.
