Winning a Book Award and Inviting You to a Book Event
British school kids voted Natalie and the Nazi Soldiers a winner!
I am so happy to share that Natalie and the Nazi Soldiers won Bronze in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the category for ages 6-8!
Even though Natalie and the Nazi Soldiers was voted a finalist, I really did not expect this win.
I am particularly thrilled because this means that British school children, who judge this contest, gave high marks to this book about a serious topic.
For me, the point of creating Natalie and the Nazi Soldiers was to tell my mother-in-law’s story of surviving the Holocaust in a way that would appeal to children of any background. It seems I accomplished my mission!
This was the only contest to which I submitted because its premise was different and promising: Not only do children from eight UK primary and secondary schools judge the children’s books, but submitted books also receive their feedback in addition to a review, even if the book doesn’t win. So you get something for your submission fee (which was not exorbitant), and submitting a pdf was sufficient. Furthermore, it turns out that the contest is exceptionally well run with frequent updates and info for authors.
I have not received the feedback and review yet but hopefully I can share that soon.
Natalie and the Nazi Soldiers is riding a good wave right now, as I will also be doing the following book event:
Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2pm @ Chicago Loop Synagogue, 16 S. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
Join us for a presentation by Annette Gendler, sharing the backstory of her mother-in-law’s experience as a hidden child in France during the Holocaust and what it took to make this story into an award-winning children’s book. This will include her research into the history of hidden Jews in France, the people who made it possible, as well as images and impressions from the family’s trip to the village where the mother-in-law was hidden.
$18 to attend ($10 for security guard, $8 for the event). Light refreshments will be provided, and books will be available for sale.
Click here to register.
If you’re in Chicagoland, it would be wonderful if you could attend. And if you do, please introduce yourself—I love meeting my readers!
Congrats Annette. All QUEENS MFAs are proud of you! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a terrific book. Congratulations! Besides its careful and gentle language the book's illustrations allows readers to visualize the potential dangers of wars on children. I just bought four copies, so that my grandchildren will have copies when they are the right age.