Tomorrow is National ASPCA Day — that stands for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – and Hanni and I are getting the ball rolling by making a huge announcement.
And no, smarty pants. The announcement is not that I’ve learned the html code to bold words in my blog. I mean, as exciting as html coding can be, it ain’t nothing (note italics) compared to this news from the ASPCA:
OUR BOOK JUST WON A BIG-TIME AWARD!
It’s called the Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award, and a press release from ASPCA says it best:
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 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1866 and is the first humane organization established in the Americas. It has more than one million supporters throughout North America.
iow, the Henry Bergh Award is a huge deal. And a tremendous honor. Hanni and I are traveling to the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Anaheim to accept the award at a special ceremony on June 30. I already bought a new dress. Hanni, of course, will have her nails done for the occasion.
WOW. That is fantastic!!! Congratulations! You should be so proud! Will the next print run have a big golden seal on the front naming it an an award winner?
YES! That’s my favorite part — the gold (Or hmm, maybe it will be silver?) award sticker. I don’t think we get those stickers until the award is officially given out June 30. Aren’t those stickers usually done in “releif”? I know it sounds silly, but I am VERY excited about thos stickers — I’m guessing I’ll actually be able to feel them on the front of the book.
And hey –can a person use html code in comments? If so, I could have bolded that word VERY, as in VERY excited….
How wonderful ~ congratulations! We will be sure to look for the book when it comes out with the new award seal.
Wow, congrats!
So how do those stickers work? I heard at a writer’s conference that the author only gets a couple and she or her publisher have to buy the rest to stick on the books. I wonder if they have a room full of elves sticking stickers on all the books.
You know, I think Francine at Blue Marlin Publications and I wil be the ones wearing the elf suits, sticking those medallions on the books one by one.
But trust me, I’ll whistle while I work!
I am not surprised your book won this award, Beth. Glad to see that others recognize talent when they see it and not just rabid fans like me. Sorry, rabid, may not be the best choice of words here….
Ha! I may have to steal that phrase –rabid fans — and use it in a future blog. Thanks for the inspiration –and the compliments!
Congratulations! I can’t think of a recipient (pair of recipients?) to receive the award. I think you should get your nails done, too. You don’t want Hanni to steal the show with her French manicure, do you?
Oops, I meant to write that I couldn’t think of a BETTER recipient (pair of recipients) to receive teh award. Just too excited, I guess.
Hanni doesn’t need a French manicure to steal the show — she already steals the show wherever we go! I do like your suggestion for me to get a manicure, too.
Or would it be a pedicure?
Wonderful news, Beth and Hanni! My fourth grade class and I met you through the Geimers a few years back. You and Hanni took the train out to Lake Zurich from the city to talk with my students while we were doing our diversity unit. You have since been a featured aart of the lessons/discussions with my students each year.
BRAVO!!
Jane Hyla
YAY! All of us at Sit Stay Read are thrilled for you and Hanni! We can’t wait to read all about the awards ceremony.
Congratulations!! So happy for you and all involved! Can’t wait to see the “seal of approval”!!! A great honor!
Hey Beth,
That is such great news — I am really excited for both you and Hanni. (I haven’t had my nails done in years!) I hope you enjoy the ride, it’s all very exciting!
Kate
Beth–
This is the niece-in-law of your friend Pam, Amy Wilensky writing. My daughter Lily and I LOVE your book and are shortly going to be training one of our two dogs to be a therapy dog, inspired in part by you. Congratulations, you deserve it, and please know that your book is beloved by two dog fanatics and admirers here in the Big Apple. Hope Hanna’s nails are lovely….Amy
Hey Beth-
This is Sky Hanneke from four years ago. Congratulations on that award! What the heck have you been up to these days?
Sky
Wow, i am so flattered by all these nice responses, they make me realize how many people I’ve met thanks to Hanni. Trust me, we are both “enjoying the ride” and are sooooo thankful to all of you who have helped make this book a success. Sky, to find out a little about “what I’ve been up to,” I suggest you read some of the archived posts on this blog — it has indeed been quite a ride.
Wow! Congratulations Beth. Well deserved. You’ve made and continue to make the world a better place. It’s nice to see a winner in Chicago. With that comment it is all I can do to stop from making a White Sox joke right now. Seriously, congratulations to you and Hanni.
Way to go Beth and Hanni! Getting your note reminded me that I heard you on NPR yet again the other day. You are popping up everywhere! And now you will need to let us know your next book project . . .
Congratulations, Beth! So exciting to hear about your well deserved award.
The class you visited for our guest reader program thought you and Hanni were the best guest readers ever. Their teacher, Ms. Gaffney, said your book has been a hot commodity in the class library. I’ll let you know if we get any book reports on it.
All the best to you and Hanni, from your friends at Sit Stay Read!
Tad, Gretchen, MaryEllen — thanks for the notes! Tad, yours especially made me laugh. Give the Kansas City Royals fans a few wins and it goes right to their heads — if you llook at a baseball box score you will see that Hanni and I are not the only winning team in Chicago right now…! Gretchen, I really am thinking about what my next book will be — I am having such fun promoting this one that I know I’ll want to do it allover again in a few years. And MaryEllen, it was a privilige to visit that south-side school for Sit, Stay Read! Thanks for giving Hanni and me the opportunity.
An now…off to Indianapolis!
[…] Published May 22, 2008 Beth Finke , Hanni , Seeing Eye dogs , Writing for Children Winning the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award is the coolest. This week a roll of medallions from the ASPCA arrived in the mail – now I can […]
[…] came from the American Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and I must say — winning an ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award is the coolest. Now I can stick those oo la la shiny gold medallions (my publisher insists I call […]
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