This June I had the emense honor of accepting my Caldecott Award and giving my acceptance speech at the Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards Banquet. I also got to meet the 2025 Caldecott Honor Awardees and the Caldecott Committee themselves! These amazing committee members even brought red capes for the Chooch team. I am forever changed.
To add to the festivities, I made the ribbon skirt that I wore to the banquet. This project was a ceremony in and of itself! It’s been a while since I’ve communed with my beloved Elna sewing machine… A chance to slow down and make something with my hands. It took me back to the days when sewing was a regular part of my life with my small children.
My family joined me for the banquet and the ALA Annual Conference! The children’s book world is truly a special community.