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Celebrating the Women and Art of Children’s Books

During National Book Awards Week, join Women’s Media Group in partnership with the Society of Illustrators to celebrate a diverse group of women illustrators of children’s books. The main event will be a panel discussion, where each artist will speak about her career journey, her approach to illustration, and some of her recent work. There will also be time before and after the event to enjoy the Museum of Illustration’s prestigious annual “The Original Art” exhibit, which showcases the fine art of children’s book illustration. Following the panel, enjoy a cocktail, light bites, and conversation in the beautiful historic 128 Bar, the Society’s unique gallery and gathering space.

Panelists:

Award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint, the result of growing up Jewish in Vancouver, British Columbia. Alko’s books includeThe Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage,Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama,Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport, andI is for Immigrants, which was selected as a 2022 Best Book of the Year by Bank Street Books and garnered a Silver Medal from The Society of Illustrators.

Vashti Harrison is the author and illustrator ofBig, winner of the 2024 Caldecott Award and a 2023 National Book Award Finalist. She is also the creator of theNew York Times#1 bestsellersLittle Leaders, Little Dreamers and Little Legends and is the illustrator ofI Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty, Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, andHello, Star by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic , among others. She received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, and she’s a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children.

Cecilia Ruiz is a Mexican author, illustrator, and graphic designer based in New York City. Her clients include theNew York Times, Google, Hermès, and Target. Cecilia teaches design and illustration at The School of Visual Arts and Queens College. Cecilia’s first picture book, A Gift from Abuela, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her latest picture book isMr. Fiorello’s Head and was selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibition 2023.

Moderator: Carolina Schwarz is a children’s publisher consultant. With 15+ years of experience in the industry, she specializes in helping international and domestic children’s book publishers create lists that win awards and hearts!

About the Society of Illustrators

The Society of Illustrators’ mission is to promote the art of illustration, to appreciate its history and evolving nature through exhibitions, lectures and education, and to contribute the service of its members to the welfare of the community at large.

About Women’s Media Group

Women’s Media Group, founded in 1974, is a New York-based nonprofit association of women who have achieved prominence in many fields of media. Our 500-plus members, drawn from book, magazine, and newspaper publishing; film, television, online and other digital media, meet, collaborate, inform and support one another as well as mentor young women interested in publishing careers. We seek to advance the position of all women through the power of communication and media.

100% of the proceeds from ticket sales supports the Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3), which provides scholarships to women pursuing college and graduate level programs in the fields of publishing and media. See WMGEF’s Scholars here.

This event will take place in the third-floor dining room and is only accessible via stairs. Bathrooms are only accessible via stairs.











When: Thu., Nov. 21, 2024 at 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Society of Illustrators
128 E. 63rd St.
212-838-2560
Price: $25
Buy tickets/get more info now
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During National Book Awards Week, join Women’s Media Group in partnership with the Society of Illustrators to celebrate a diverse group of women illustrators of children’s books. The main event will be a panel discussion, where each artist will speak about her career journey, her approach to illustration, and some of her recent work. There will also be time before and after the event to enjoy the Museum of Illustration’s prestigious annual “The Original Art” exhibit, which showcases the fine art of children’s book illustration. Following the panel, enjoy a cocktail, light bites, and conversation in the beautiful historic 128 Bar, the Society’s unique gallery and gathering space.

Panelists:

Award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint, the result of growing up Jewish in Vancouver, British Columbia. Alko’s books includeThe Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage,Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama,Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport, andI is for Immigrants, which was selected as a 2022 Best Book of the Year by Bank Street Books and garnered a Silver Medal from The Society of Illustrators.

Vashti Harrison is the author and illustrator ofBig, winner of the 2024 Caldecott Award and a 2023 National Book Award Finalist. She is also the creator of theNew York Times#1 bestsellersLittle Leaders, Little Dreamers and Little Legends and is the illustrator ofI Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty, Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, andHello, Star by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic , among others. She received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, and she’s a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children.

Cecilia Ruiz is a Mexican author, illustrator, and graphic designer based in New York City. Her clients include theNew York Times, Google, Hermès, and Target. Cecilia teaches design and illustration at The School of Visual Arts and Queens College. Cecilia’s first picture book, A Gift from Abuela, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her latest picture book isMr. Fiorello’s Head and was selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibition 2023.

Moderator: Carolina Schwarz is a children’s publisher consultant. With 15+ years of experience in the industry, she specializes in helping international and domestic children’s book publishers create lists that win awards and hearts!

About the Society of Illustrators

The Society of Illustrators’ mission is to promote the art of illustration, to appreciate its history and evolving nature through exhibitions, lectures and education, and to contribute the service of its members to the welfare of the community at large.

About Women’s Media Group

Women’s Media Group, founded in 1974, is a New York-based nonprofit association of women who have achieved prominence in many fields of media. Our 500-plus members, drawn from book, magazine, and newspaper publishing; film, television, online and other digital media, meet, collaborate, inform and support one another as well as mentor young women interested in publishing careers. We seek to advance the position of all women through the power of communication and media.

100% of the proceeds from ticket sales supports the Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3), which provides scholarships to women pursuing college and graduate level programs in the fields of publishing and media. See WMGEF’s Scholars here.

This event will take place in the third-floor dining room and is only accessible via stairs. Bathrooms are only accessible via stairs.

Buy tickets/get more info now