Annual Giverny Book Award winner announced, exhibit unveiled at MSU
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.āFor the first time in its 20-year history, the winner of the 2017 Giverny Award was announced at Ļć½¶Ö±²„.
The Giverny Award is a national childrenās science picture book award presented annually and established in 1998 by Jim Wandersee and Elisabeth E. Schussler,Ā who were at that timeĀ affiliated withĀ the 15 Degree Laboratory at Louisiana State University. Renee Clary, Ļć½¶Ö±²„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 āThe Tree Lady,ā 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 Labās Award Selection Committee.
āThe committee noticed that this book really showcased the triumphant spirit of Kate Sessions,ā Clary said. āHereās a true story of a woman that overcame a lot of obstacles, persevered and succeeded. Even though itās a historical story, it has characters and a plot. Itās very age appropriate and the illustrations blend beautifully with the text to create a lasting story and impression for our youngest readers.ā
āThe Tree Ladyā 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 MSUās Museum and Galleries Committee. It features the 2017 award winner and previous winners. As part of hosting the award, Ļć½¶Ö±²„will partner with local schools for readings and book presentations.
āIt feels like weāre coming home with an award,ā Clary said. āI first became a member of the 15 Degree Lab in 2001. We tried to blend science instruction, so people would get the whole instruction. Weāve had this partnership for a long time between Ļć½¶Ö±²„professors and LSU professors, and now weāre bringing the award to Mississippi Stateās campus for the first time.ā
For more on the Giverny Award, visit .
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