Printer Friendly Version - 2024 Winners of the Tassy Walden Awards Announced

Shoreline Arts Alliance has announced the finalists and award winners for the 24th Annual Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature. This program is one of a kind in the state of Connecticut, rewarding unpublished Connecticut-based writers and illustrators for their hard work and dedication to their craft. A panel of professional judges have selected the following winners, honorees and finalists for 2024.

Picture Book Text—Winner: Chaunell Feliciano, Wilton, All In A Name. Honorable Mention awards to Katherine Wilkes, Madison, You Are A Star. Finalists include Lisa Brown, East Haven, The Messy Hair Fairy; Victoria A. Reed, Southington, Popcorn Friday; Ruth Williams, Norwalk, Cell (The Origin of You)
Illustrated Picture Book Writer-Illustrator— Finalist: Cathy Grinfield, Colchester, Alphabetically
Middle Grade Novel—Winner: John Parent, Clinton, Annabelle Blue. Honorable Mention: John Alvaro, Hamden, The End of the Story. Finalists: Jacquelyn Licare, Quaker Hill, Reed and the Giant Crystal. George Shapiro-Weiss, Killingworth, Bobo and Podgie Know Everything There Is To Know
Young Adult Novel—Winner: Patricia M. Carey, East Lyme, The Swan Maiden. Finalist: Lori Kase, Simsbury, The Accident
Illustrator Portfolio—Honorable Mention: Moira Ratchford, Norwalk

This year’s honorees will be celebrated at an Awards Reception at the James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, on Wednesday, May 29, at 6 p.m. The event, sponsored by Branford Community Foundation and Guilford Savings Bank, is free and open to the public. Shoreline Arts Alliance is the state-appointed arts council for a 24-town region including all of Middlesex County, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, Branford, North Branford, Lyme, Old Lyme, Salem, and East Lyme. More information is available at www.shorelinearts.org or office@shorelinearts.org or 203-521-6739.