The winners of the 26th Annual Ezra Jack Keats New Writer and New Illustrator Awards have been announced.  The awards celebrate authors and illustrators who "impart Ezra Jack Keats’ values—the universal qualities of childhood, a strong and supportive family, and the multicultural nature of our world.”  The awards are given by The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries.

2012 New Writer Award Winner

Meg Medina for Tia Isa Wants a Car

2012 New Illustrator Award Winner

Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw for Same, Same but Different

2012 Honorable Mentions

New Writer Honor:

Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw for Same, Same but Different

New Writer Honor:

Nicola Winstanley for Cinnamon Baby

New Writer and New Illustrator Honor:

Anna White and Micha Archer for Lola’s Fandango

New Illustrator Honor:

David Ercolini for Not Inside This House!