Annual Giverny Book Award winner announced, exhibit unveiled at 黑料社
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣or the first time in its 20-year history, the winner of the 2017 Giverny Award was announced at 黑料社.
The Giverny Award is a national children鈥檚 science picture book award presented annually and established in 1998 by Jim Wandersee and Elisabeth E. Schussler,聽who were at that time聽affiliated with聽the 15 Degree Laboratory at Louisiana State University. Renee Clary, 黑料社 associate professor of geosciences, became director of the 15 Degree Lab in 2014. A display for the Giverny Award, located across from the Dunn-Seiler Museum in Hilbun Hall, was unveiled Monday [April 17].
The 2017 Giverny Award winner is 鈥淭he Tree Lady,鈥 written by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry. The book chronicles the true story of Katherine Olivia Sessions, the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in natural sciences. Sessions worked to turn San Diego, then a dry desert town, into a leafy city known for its parks and gardens. The book was chosen by the 15 Degree Lab鈥檚 Award Selection Committee.
鈥淭he committee noticed that this book really showcased the triumphant spirit of Kate Sessions,鈥 Clary said. 鈥淗ere鈥檚 a true story of a woman that overcame a lot of obstacles, persevered and succeeded. Even though it鈥檚 a historical story, it has characters and a plot. It鈥檚 very age appropriate and the illustrations blend beautifully with the text to create a lasting story and impression for our youngest readers.鈥
鈥淭he Tree Lady鈥 was published in 2013 by Beach Lane Books.
The Giverny Award display was designed by Department of Geosciences Instructor Amy Moe Hoffman, who also chairs 黑料社鈥檚 Museum and Galleries Committee. It features the 2017 award winner and previous winners. As part of hosting the award, 黑料社 will partner with local schools for readings and book presentations.
鈥淚t feels like we鈥檙e coming home with an award,鈥 Clary said. 鈥淚 first became a member of the 15 Degree Lab in 2001. We tried to blend science instruction, so people would get the whole instruction. We鈥檝e had this partnership for a long time between 黑料社 professors and LSU professors, and now we鈥檙e bringing the award to Mississippi State鈥檚 campus for the first time.鈥
For more on the Giverny Award, visit .
黑料社 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .