Greetings and Thanks

Red Bird Sings Wins Major Award

We are thrilled to announce that Red Bird Sings has just won the Carter G. Woodson award from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).....

"NCSS established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to ethnic minorities and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers."

http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/woodson/winners

2012

Elementary Level (Grades K–6)

Carter G. Woodson Book Award

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American

Author, Musician, and Activist

Adapted by Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce

Published by Carolrhoda Books

Thank you voting members of the NCSS for deeming our book worthy for this amazing award!  and, thank you Jean Reynolds for being such an amazing editor!

Gina & Q 

Silver Medal Eureka! Award for Red Bird Sings!

We are delighted and thrilled to announce that Red Bird Sings has won the Silver Medal Eureka! Award from the California Readers Association (CRA). Indeed, this is a real honor!

The California Reading Association established this award to celebrate and honor nonfiction children’s books and to "assist teachers, librarians, and parents in identifying outstanding nonfiction books for their students and children." Eligible books required to be non-fiction but written in any genre.
Please visit http://www.californiareads.org/awards/eu/2011-eureka.htm for a list of other winners. Note what an amazing job the CRA does to promote reading for California children.

Red Bird Book Launch

We are delighted to share with you the Red Bird Sings book launch held at Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop in LaVerne, Ca. Our special thanks to Andrea Vuleta and Judy Nelson for allowing us the opportunity to share the publication of our book with family and friends. We are forever grateful to you!

Also, our amazing violinist, Asha, who performed period music of the 1800's on her violin.

With regard,

Gina and Q

Starred Review for Red Bird Sings!

We are so happy to announce that our book, Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, earned a starred review from the School Library Journal! (October 2011)

CAPALDI, Gina & Q. L. Pearce, adapts. Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American Author, Musician and Activist. illus. by Gina Capaldi. 32p. photos. bibliog. further reading. CIP. Carolrhoda. Oct. 2011. PLB $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5257-0; ebook $13.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-7159-5. LC 2011003014. Gr 3-6–This picture-book biography of Zitkala-Ša, a young Sioux girl born in 1876 in South Dakota, adapts and paraphrases some of her own autobiographical writings to trace her life from youth to adulthood. Born Gertrude Simmons, she was sent to an Indian boarding school in Indiana when she was eight, and it was through this education that she discovered a love and talent for music, writing, and public speaking, among other things. Her journey took her ever farther east, from college in Indiana to teaching in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, to finally fighting for Native American civil rights in Washington, DC, in the early 1920s. Each spread shares moments from her life as she struggled to survive in two very different worlds: the familiar Sioux reservation and the Anglo world that was opened up to her. While the text is modified for clarity for young audiences, it is still lyrical and compelling, drawing readers into the woman’s life and work. The accompanying paintings are textured and sometimes layered with maps, pictures, and magazine pages that provide a rich complement to the story, conveying both emotion and depth. This unique format brings Zitkala-Ša’s intriguing story to life, and engenders further exploration. Extensive back matter includes suggested readings, useful websites, and a bit more detail about Zitkala-Ša.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Red Bird Sings Wins Gold Medal Award!

We are delighted to announce that Red Bird Sings has won the Moonbeam Children's Book Award gold medal for Multicultural Picturebooks.

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards contest is designed to honor the year's best children’s books, authors and illustrators. The awards are presented by Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher magazine. The guiding factor behind the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards is noble as these awards "bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. Awards are given in 38 categories covering the full range of subjects, styles and age groups that children’s books are written and published in today"

Both Q and I are honored and thrilled to recieve this gold medal award for Red Bird Sings!!

Red Bird Sings