I am thrilled to announce that “Why Kimba Saved The World” has been honored with a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award as “Best First Book — Chapter Book,” Bronze Medal. I’m not a competitive person by nature, and especially when it comes to writing. This award is not about being better than another writer or book, it is about being good enough to win, and I am humbled beyond words to have earned that honor. Not only does this forever make “Kimba” an award-winning book, it also serves as a seal of approval in a sea of self-published books on the market.

Bronze Moonbeam Award Seal

“Presented by Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher Magazine, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are designed to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. Awards are given in 41 print book and nine e-book categories covering the full range of subjects, styles and age groups that children’s books are written and published in today. As our society has gotten more complex and growing up has become more complicated, children’s book authors and publishers have risen to the occasion, creating books that not only celebrate the joys of childhood, but also help kids and families deal with its challenges. The Moonbeam Awards will recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of booksellers, librarians, parents and children.” (from their web site)

There were 165 medalists from the 1,200 entries, including 35 US States, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas. Only books from small, independent publishing houses and self-published books are eligible.

“Creating books that inspire our children to read, to learn, and to dream is an extremely important task, and these awards were conceived to reward those efforts. Each year’s entries are judged by expert panels of youth educators, librarians, booksellers, and book reviewers of all ages. Award recipients receive gold, silver and bronze medals and stickers depicting a mother and child reading and silhouetted by a full moon.” (from web site)

If you already have a paperback copy and would like an award sticker, please just email me at [email protected], and I will send you one.

And watch for the sequel, “Vacation Hiro,” available in early November.