Award of Overall Excellence ―Southeastern Library Association, 1996

Ruth Tiller is the author of several picture books, including Cats Vanish Slowly, Wishing, and Cinnamon, Mint, and Mothballs, which was named an Honor Book recipient for the Marion Vannett Ridgway Memorial Award and featured as a “Flying Start” in Publishers Weekly. She holds a master’s degree in English literature from Georgia State University and lives in California.

Debrah Santini has illustrated a number of children’s books. She holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a faculty member of the art department at West Georgia College.

“This exuberant poem captures the enthusiasm and imagination children can bring to the most ordinary task…. Santini’s watercolors dance across the page as well, giving Melissa a down-to-earth, real girl look, comical (with bare feet and flying ponytail) but also graceful in every line. A pair of comical cats add to the fun of this light, winsome picture book.” ―Booklist

Nancy Byrd Turner was born in 1880. She published a number of poems, novels, and song lyrics for children during her lifetime. She also served on the editorial staff of Youth Companion, Atlantic Monthly, and The Independent Magazine. She passed away in 1971.

Debrah Santini has illustrated a number of children’s books. She holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a faculty member of the art department at West Georgia College.

“O’Callahan displays the same affinity for the music of language and the inner life of children as in his riveting performances… with subdued hues and elongated figures, Santini’s romantic watercolors infused with humor are reminiscent of Anderson Medalist Lisbeth Zwerger. An unusual, enchanting story.” ―Booklist

“A neat and amusing denoument. Santini sets a 1920s mood with her muted, slightly satirical watercolors and deftly connects the foreground action with garden, street or other rooms with strong, diagonally organized perspectives. Story and art thus jointly contribute to this engaging period piece with a touch of slapstick.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Santini deftly illustrates this satisfying comeuppance in soft pencil and watercolor, amusingly satirizing the events and glorying in the elegance of Grand ma Mere’s m,nage.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Jay O’Callahan tours the world, performing at festivals and in theaters. His stories have been heard on National Public Radio, The Voice of America, and Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. Audio recordings of his stories have won a number of awards, including the ALA Carnegie Award, the Indie Award, the National Educational Film Festival Award, and the Parents’ Choice Award, which he has received four times. O’Callahan lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Debrah Santini has illustrated a number of children’s books. She holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a faculty member of the art department at West Georgia College.

“Deedy lovingly lulls readers into the intimacy of the reminiscence… Santini’s watercolors, sometimes vague, mostly dreamy, enhance the feeling of events recalled through time…. Use this with older readers as a fine example of what family history can be. It’s like a full cloth made from the remnants of people’s lives, with all the humor, pathos, and drama that’s necessary for a very effective, personal sort of storytelling.” ―Booklist

“My young jury asked to have [The Last Dance] read to them again-and they got the point: ‘Those we love are never really gone as long as their stories are told.’ Debrah Santini’s masterful sketches and watercolors tell as much as the text.” ―Robert D. Hale, Horn Book Magazine

“This tale of love and memory, spun on illustrations as light and rich as gossamer, is a beautiful reminder that picture books are truly a form of art that speaks to the heart no matter one’s age… The Last Dance is a book for anyone who wants to remember and to rejoice in the enduring powers of love.” ―Children’s Book Review

“This traditional tale could be used in an elementary classroom for literacy or art.” ―For the Love of Reading

Not Just for Children Anymore! ―Children’s Book Council, 1999

Best Books for Young Teen Readers ―R. R. Bowker

Carmen Agra Deedy, a New York Times bestselling author, has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives. She lives in Georgia. You can visit her website here.

Debrah Santini has illustrated a number of children’s books. She holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a faculty member of the art department at West Georgia College.