Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 28, 1993 TAG: 9301270176
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
BEST OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE RECEIVE HONORS
Cynthia Rylant and Emily Arnold McCully have won the 1993 John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott medals, the most prestigious awards in children's literature.Rylant won the Newbery for "Missing May," published by Orchard Books. The award is given for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in 1992.
McCully won the Caldecott for the year's most distinguished American picture book for children for her illustration of "Mirette on the High Wire," published by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
The awards were announced Monday by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the Chicago-based American Library Association. The association is holding its midwinter meeting here.
"Missing May" is about the death of girl named May and her friends' efforts to comfort one another.
"Mirette on the High Wire" is a picture book about a little girl in 19th-century Paris who helps a once-great high-wire artist conquer his fear, while achieving her own dream.
The Newbery Committee also awarded honors for "The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural," by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by Brian Pinkey, published by Alfred A. Knopf; "Somewhere in the Darkness," by Walter Dean Myers, published by Scholastic Hardcover; and "What Hearts," by Bruce Brooks, by HarperCollins Publishers.
The Caldecott Committee gave honors for "Seven Blind Mice," illustrated and written by Ed Young, published by Philomel Books; "The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales," illustrated by Lane Smith, written by Jon Scieszka and published by Viking; and "Working Cotton," illustrated by Carole Byard, written by Sherley Anne Williams and published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Other awards:
The Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video, to producers John Kelly and Gary Soto for "The Poor Party," distributed by Fast Forward of San Francisco.
The 1993 Coretta Scott King Author Award, to Patricia C. McKissack for "The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural."
The King Illustrator Award, to Kathleen Atkins Wilson for "The Origin of Life on Earth: An African Creation Myth," published by Sight Productions.
The School Library Journal-Young Adult Library Services Association Margaret A. Edwards Award, to M.E. Kerr - the pen name for Marijane Meaker - for lifetime achievement in writing books for teen-agers.