Winners of the Midwest Book Awards Gala were announced May 12, 2017, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Think Small’s publishing division, Redleaf Press, took home top honors in three categories: Education/Learning, Children’s Picture Book, and Graphic-Illustration.
“We are thrilled to have Redleaf Press recognized by the Midwest Independent Publishing Association for the high-quality resources they publish. Since 1973, Redleaf Press has been, and will continue to be, an important part of Think Small’s mission of advancing quality care and education of children in their crucial early years,” says Think Small’s CEO Barbara Yates.
Creative Block Play: A Comprehensive Guide to Learning through Building by Rosanne Regan Hansel won the gold seal in the Education/Learning category. Blocks are a classic toy that never stop challenging, stimulating, and engaging young children’s learning. “Hansel supplies a wealth of instructional ideas for block play that correlate to topics such as transportation, travel, and world culture. This title should be on every early childhood educator’s bookshelf,” praised Library Journal.
Bingo Did It! by Amber Harris; illustrated by Ard Hoyt, won overall in the Children’s Picture Book, and Graphic-Illustration categories. Bingo Did It! is the second installment of the loveable Wisteria Jane series. Foreword Reviews called the book, “a gentle lesson about taking personal responsibility.”
The Midwest Book Awards is sponsored by the Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA). Submissions are judged by experts from all aspects of the book world, including publishers, writers, editors, librarians, teachers and book designers. Winners and finalists are selected based on overall excellence.
