October 2003

The Children's Book Council has a regular feature called "Meet the Author/Illustrator," and this time around, it's me! You can read it at:

http://www.cbcbooks.org/html/meet.html

The archives have a TERRIFIC list of other authors and illustrators you can read about, and while you're at it, explore the whole site--a terrific resource for lovers of children's books.

On October 3rd, Clarion vice-president and associate publisher Dinah Stevenson accepted the Jane Addams Honor award on my behalf, for When My Name Was Keoko. The ceremony, which celebrates books that promote peace, social justice, and world community, was held at the United Nations in New York City. The winner of the Fiction for Older Readers award was Deborah Ellis for her book Parvana's Journey. And Katherine Paterson also received an Honor citation for The Same Stuff as Stars.

Click here if you'd like to read the brief remarks I prepared for the ceremony, which Dinah Stevenson read to the gathering. Three picture books were also cited. For more information on the Jane Addams Award:

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/public/jaddams.htm

In September I spoke at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as part of their year-long commemoration of the Korean-immigration centennial. (The first Koreans to settle in the U.S. arrived in Hawaii in 1903.) Along with four other Korean-American writers for young people, I gave a presentation, signed books, and got to meet many readers! Thanks to Franklin Odo, Gina Inocencio and especially Terry Hong for a lovely event.


(from left to right) Authors Frances Park, Yangsook Choi,
Ginger Park, me, and An Na. Frances and Ginger are sisters,
but not related to me.

Books (besides my own!) that were highlighted at the event:

--by Frances and Ginger Park: My Mother's Freedom Trip, The Royal Bee, Where in the World is my Bagel?
--by Yangsook Choi: The Name Jar, New Cat, plus several others that she has illustrated for other authors
--by An Na: A Step from Heaven

For more photos of the event, and information about the activities of the Asian Pacific American Program, click on this link:

http://www.apa.si.edu/kacc/Events/Photogallery_Sep.htm

Updated: the Recent Reading and Author Presentation pages.

Coming soon: EXCITING NEWS about the release of my first picture books!

Have a great fall, everyone. And hey, read something good this week! Best to all, Linda Sue

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