On Sunday, June 26 in Orlando Florida at the American Library Association annual conference and exhibition, Seattle author Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrator Sean Qualls were honored with the Schneider Family Book Award for their picture book, Emmanuel’s Dream.
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author and/or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
From the ALA’s announcement of the award:
Against almost insurmountable odds, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, born with only one strong leg, sets out to ride a bike 400 miles across Ghana to raise awareness for the disabled. With the message of “being disabled does not mean unable,” the stunning mixed media art supports this uplifting and inspiring story.
“Thompson and Qualls’ biographical picture book proves that ‘One leg is enough to do great things — and one person is enough to change the world,’” said Award Chair Alyson Beecher.
And here’s an easy-to-read version of the reasons that Thompson and Qualls received the award:
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks so much! Receiving this award was an incredible honor.