Picture Books Thrive – 17th Annual CARLE HONORS Literary Legacies

(From l.): Ellen Oh, Elissa Gershowitz, Jennifer Schantz, Julie Gribble, and Wesley Adams at the Carle Honors. CREDIT: Johnny Wolf Photography
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It was a thrill to step foot into the New-York Historical Society and into the magical world of picture books for 17th Carle Honors, the annual gala to benefit The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art held Thursday, September 26th to celebrate children’s book artists, authors and champions, and the lasting contributions they made in children’s literature and picture book art. The inspiring awards ceremony was hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer and author — Leslie Odom, Jr. featured a violin concerto, art activations, insightful words from honorees, and a special musical revue with Marlo Thomas and Friends celebrating the 50th anniversary of Free to Be . . . You and Me.

Marlo Thomas “Free to Be… You and Me” CREDIT: Laurie Graff

A new format was chosen for the New-York Historical Society, designed to inspire and engage. And so it did. Located on Central Park West on the Upper West Side, the society was founded in 1804 as New York’s first museum. Each guest was greeted with a glass of champagne, and stepping into the glass and crystal lobby felt like taking a step into the Gilded Age. The museum houses permanent exhibitions on so many topics and periods in American history including my favorite, Tiffany designer, Clara Driscoll. As luck would have it, over cocktails my escort and I met the charming and prolific author Susan Goldman Rubin whose new release, set for next February, 2025, happens to be Dragonflies of Glass: The Story of Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls, illustrated by Susanna Chapman.

The Robert H. Smith Auditorium at the New York Historical Society CREDIT: Johnny Wolf Photography

We were then ushered into the Robert H. Smith Auditorium, actually a sleek yet intimate theater for the beautiful program, whose Honorees included:

  • Artist: Uri Shulevitz: Acclaimed for his Caldecott-winning works, Uri Shulevitz is a master of versatility in children’s literature. His life and art reflect resilience and creativity, as seen in his powerful autobiographical works, Chance and How I Learned Geography. Shulevitz plans to leave much of his archive to The Carle.
  • Angel: We Need Diverse Books: We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) champions diversity in children’s publishing, promoting literature that reflects all young lives. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, WNDB has become a leading voice for inclusion in the industry.
  • Bridge: KidLit TV: Founded by Julie Gribble, KidLit TV brings picture books and their creators to life through innovative multimedia, making stories accessible to children worldwide. Recognized with top awards, KidLit TV fosters a love of reading through engaging digital content.
  • Mentor: The Horn Book: The Horn Book, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is the world’s first critical journal dedicated to children’s literature. Founded in 1924, it has shaped the field for nearly a century, influencing generations of readers and writers through its publications and awards.

Amongst the magic of the program, reality ensued. The remarkable Marlo Thomas sent her regrets and a message to be read, unable to attend in person due to the recent loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue. As well, the distinguished Uri Shulevitz was recovering from an injury and was also absent in person. However, he was most present. A short film was shown where Uri, who survived the Holocaust as a child, states, “Everyone of us lives in two different worlds at the same time. One world, of course, is of the everyday. The real world…. we need food, we need to eat, we need to do work… The other world in which we also live is the world of the imagination. And that world too, has to be fed. And that is where books and art and music come in.” Leerone Hakami, a glorious violinist, then played a concerto as projections of the distinguished artists picture book illustrations were shown.

Violinist Leerone Hakami performs in honor of Uri Shulevitz, winner of the Artist Award CREDIT: Laurie Graff

The Carle Honors Honorees are selected each year by a committe chaired by Leonard S. Marcus, Carle trustee, children’s literature historian, and found of the Carle Honors. I would also be remiss if I did not say the catering was delicious and the wait-staff were wonderful. We did not pass on one passed hors d’oeuvre, enjoyed the chicken and salmon and decadent desserts.

An inviting reception, bonded by the love of picture books CREDIT: Johnny Wolf Photography

Thanks to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art whose mission is to elevate picture book art and inspire a love of art, art creating, and reading. The Carle’s core belief is that art promotes tolerance and understanding, because picture book art is not just for kids, but for people of all ages. And, undoubtedly, it makes the world a much better place.

Illustration from The Very Hungry Caterpillar copyright
© 1969 and 1987 by Eric Carle

PLEASE VISIT: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

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