The Winnah!

Zayde Comes to Live written by Sheri Sinykin and illustrated by Kristina Swarner wins 2013 Burr/Worzalla Award

Children’s picture book Zayde Comes to Live written by Sheri Sinykin, formally of Madison, Wisconsin, illustrated by Kristina Swarner and published by Peachtree Publishers, has won the 2013 Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award. The Children’s Book Award Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section annually awards the Burr/Worzalla to the most distinguished work in literature and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator.

In Zayde Comes to Live, Rachel’s beloved grandfather, Zayde, comes to spend his last days with her family. Rachel worries what will happen when he dies, especially after her friends tell her the Christian and Muslim beliefs about the afterlife.

The Children’s Book Award Committee also named Peter and Connie Roop Notable Wisconsin Authors/Illustrators for their contribution to the world of children’s literature.

Seven noteworthy titles have also been selected for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Literature, written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators:

Little Dog Lost by Marion Dane Bauer

Marching to the Mountaintop by Ann Bausum

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman

Penny and Her Song by Kevin Henkes

Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue

Rabbit’s Snow Dance by Jeff Newman

The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award is made possible by the Worzalla Publishing Company, Stevens Point, through a grant to the WLA Foundation.

The 2012 Book Award Committee members consist of Ruhama Kordatzky Bahr, Chair, Burlington; Jennifer Bahnaman, McMillian Memorial Library; Jean Elvekrog, retired, Madison; Karli Pederson, Milwaukee Public Library; Jeni Schomber, Beloit Public Library; Dawn Wacek, Rice Lake Public Library; Arin Wilken, Mondovi Public Library.