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The beloved children’s book illustrator, Ashley Bryan, will be the honoree for this year’s Silent Art Auction on May 30th, as announced today by the American Booksellers Association’s ABC Children’s Group (ABC) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC).
Ashley Bryan said: “It is a true honor to be chosen by ABC and CBC for this recognition. The work they do, in so many ways, with the charities and programs that they support, that ultimately bring books to children, is wonderful. I’m glad to do what I can to help.”
Preceding the Silent Art Auction at BookExpo will be the 2018 Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards ceremony. Co-hosts Selina Aiko and Sean Qualls will announce this year’s winning books.
The joint awards and auction program will take place on May 30, 2018, from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Javits South Concourse. The Silent Art Auction will benefit two charities: American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) and Every Child a Reader.
The announcement asking for artwork donation will go out industry-wide from CBC on Feb. 15, and Susannah Richards, professor and children’s literature advocate, has agreed to organize this enormous undertaking again this year.
In a joint statement, Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, Senior Program Director of ABA and Shaina Birkhead, Programming and Strategic Partnerships Director of CBC and Every Child a Reader, stated: “Now more than ever, events supporting free speech, great art, and children’s literacy are vital. We are thrilled that Ashley Bryan will be this year’s honoree!”
About Ashley Bryan
Ashley Bryan grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he has shared the joy of song with children ever since. A beloved illustrator, he was recently named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He has also been the recipient of the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award; the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award; has been a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer; a Coretta Scott King Award winner; and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lives in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.
This event benefits two important organizations: the American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) and Every Child a Reader. Both organizations exist to promote the freedom and joy of every child and teen to read any book they want, and to support booksellers, librarians, teachers, and parents in their daily work to do the same.
The American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) is the bookseller’s voice in the fight for free speech. Its mission is to promote and protect the free exchange of ideas, particularly those contained in books, by opposing restrictions on the freedom of speech; issuing statements on significant free expression controversies; participating in legal cases involving First Amendment rights; collaborating with other groups with an interest in free speech; and providing education about the importance of free expression to booksellers, other members of the book industry, politicians, the press and the public.
Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) literacy charity dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of reading in children and teens across America. Every Child a Reader’s popular national programs include Children’s Book Week (May 1-7, 2017), the longest-running literacy initiative in the country; the Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards, the only book awards chosen by children and teens; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program in partnership with the Library of Congress. Individual and corporate donations, grants, and the CBC support Every Child a Reader.
Thank you to our event partners, The American Booksellers Association and the ABC Children’s Group.
We are so grateful to all of the artists who donated their amazing work to the auction.
A special thanks to Susannah Richards, art coordinator extraordinaire!
See information about past Art Auctions and other archives here!
What are the Kids' Book Choice Awards and how can young readers vote?
Kids have voiced their choice. Winners are announced!
Resources to promote the awards.
Resources to choose the 2022 Kids' Book Choice Award Winners
See all the winners and finalists, from 2008 to today.