Press Release

 

ASPCA Announces 2007 Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award Winners

 

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor to be honored with ASPCA Roger Caras Achievement Award at 2008 American Library Association Convention

March 18, 2008

ASPCA Media Contact

New York, March 18, 2008—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has announced the winners of the 2007 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards.

Named in honor of ASPCA founder Henry Bergh, the annual awards recognize books based on their exemplary handling of subject matter pertaining to animals and the environment. The winning authors will be honored at a ceremony at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. on June 30, 2008.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of the Shiloh trilogy, will be awarded the 2007 the Roger Caras Achievement Award for children’s literature, at the upcoming ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards on June 30th at the 2008 American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim, California.

Named in honor of past ASPCA president Roger Caras, the award honors an outstanding individual or organization that has inspired children and made a contribution to the animal community through literature, actions or other means.

“Nothing is more essential to the future of America’s pets than educating our children about animal awareness,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Through honoring the work of authors like Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, the ASPCA is able to continue its quest to create a more humane nation.”

With compassion and empathy, Ms. Naylor realistically depicts the trauma of animal abuse and neglect in her Shiloh trilogy. Based on a true story experienced by the author, this Newbery Award winner and modern classic encourages and empowers children to help their animal companions.

This year’s 10 award winners and honorees covered nine categories, including one for illustration. They include:

Winners of the 2007 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award are:

Non-Fiction Companion Animals:
Hanni and Beth: Safe and Sound by Beth Finke
Blue Marlin Publications

Non-Fiction Environment and Ecology:
Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer
Walker & Company

Non-Fiction Humane Heroes:
Turtle Summer by Mary Alice Monroe
Sylvan Dell Publishing

Poetry:
Toad by the Road by Joanne Ryder
Henry Holt and Company

Young Adult:
The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer by Sue Ann Alderson
Tradewind Books

Fiction Companion Animals:
Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts
G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Fiction Environment and Ecology:
Old Mother Bear by Victoria Miles
Chronicle Books

Fiction Humane Heroes:
Anna and Natalie by Barbara H. Cole
Star Bright Books

Illustration:
Ape illustrated by Vicky White, written by Martin Jenkins
Candlewick Press

Illustration Honor:
M is for Meow illustrated by Robert Papp,
written by Helen L. Wilbur
Sleeping Bear Press
 

To qualify for consideration for the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards, the following criteria must be met:

  • Books must be written in English;
  • Books must be written for an audience of children up to and including the age of 12 (age 17 for the young adult award);
  • Books must be works of fiction, non-fiction, or collections of short stories, essays, or poetry;
  • Books must be published between January and December of the previous year.

Self-published books are eligible, provided that the author/publisher also publishes titles by other authors.

This year, the ASPCA is partnering with the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), a local Anaheim animal shelter, to host an on-site signing at the shelter with the award winning authors on June 29th at 12 p.m. Proceeds from the sale of the books will be donated to SEAACA and benefit homeless animals in the area.

To qualify for consideration for the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards, the following criteria must be met:

  • Books must be written in English;
  • Books must be written for an audience of children up to and including the age of 12 (age 17 for the young adult award);
  • Books must be works of fiction, non-fiction, or collections of short stories, essays, or poetry;
  • Books must be published between January and December of the previous year.

Self-published books are eligible, provided that the author/publisher also publishes titles by other authors.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.