Children's book illustrator Raschka receives Caldecott Medal.

The 2006 Caldecott Medal for the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children has been awarded to "The Hello, Goodbye Window," illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster (Michael di Capua Books, an imprint of Hyperion Books for Children). The Caldecott Medal is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, American Library Association (ALA).

Raschka is a son of Hedda Durnbaugh and Donald F. Durnbaugh, the "dean of Brethren historians" who passed away in August last year. He also has illustrated several books published by Brethren Press.

About "The Hello, Goodbye Window," the Caldecott website says, "In this sunny portrait of familial love, a little girl tells us about her everyday experiences visiting her grandparents' house. Raschka's style resembles the spontaneous drawings of children, perfectly mirroring the guileless young narrator's exuberant voice." Gratia Banta, chair of the award committee, said, "With a few energetic lines, Raschka suggests a world filled with affection and humor."

Brethren Press books illustrated by Raschka include "Benjamin Brody's Backyard Bag" by Phyllis Vos Wezeman and Colleen Allsburg Wiessner, a children's book about homelessness (1991, available for $15 plus shipping and handling, call 800-441-3712 or go to www.brethrenpress.com/store/bpress/8917.html); "R and R: A Story of Two Alphabets," written and illustrated by Raschka (1990, currently out of print); and "This I Remember" by George Dolnikowski, a memoir by the Russian-born professor emeritus at Juniata College (1994).

Raschka also illustrated two children's books written by Church of the Brethren member Jim Lehman and published by his Brotherstone Publishers: "The Owl and the Tuba" (1991) and "The Saga of Shakespeare Pintlewood and the Great Silver Fountain Pen" (1990).

For more about the Caldecott Medal see www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm. For more about Brethren Press and an online catalogue see www.brethrenpress.com.

Source: 2/1/2006 Newsline
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