Windswept is a CBC Best Children’s Book 2023

Windswept was named a CBC Best Children’s Book of the year and with “Outstanding Merit”

The Best Children's Books of the Year [2023 edition] includes more than 600 titles chosen by the Children’s Book Committee as the best of the best published in 2022. In choosing books for the annual list, committee members consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.

You can see all the winners here: https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/childrens-book-committee/best-childrens-books-of-the-year/edition/

Feb. 18: Storytime and book signing at Four Pines Bookstore

Saturday, February 18 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Join Margi for storytime and book signing at the Four Pines Bookstore in Bemidji. She’ll be reading from her two latest books, Lily Leads the Way and Windswept.

Both books will be available for purchase, however Four Pines strongly suggests pre-ordering your selections before the event to ensure you are able to get a copy signed. Contact Four Pines to pre-order your books >

Feb. 12: Storytime at the Rob Hadaway Storytelling Festival

Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 am

The Rob Hadaway Storytelling Festival will be held Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Duluth Children's Museum. This year's storytellers include Margi Preus (at 9:30 am), Chris Monroe, Cheri "Mrs. T." Tesarek and John Donahue.

The storytelling festival was renamed in honor of the late creative director, Rob Hadaway, who started the semi-annual tradition to share kindness, laughter, stories and magic with the children of our community. He served as creative director for the museum for seven years and launched the festival in 2018.

"I remember my first impression of him; he just twinkled. He had this sparkle in his eye and a laugh that wouldn't quit," Laurel Sanders, Hadaway's assistant, said. "There are some people who you meet and it's just like the highlight of your life and just being able to be his friend was like that. I think he'd be pleased to see the festival continue in his honor. He's someone who truly understood the value of storytelling."

Learn more about Rob Hadaway’s amazing life and creative legacy here >

Feb. 12: Storytime at the Winter Out West Festival

Sunday, February 12 at 11:30 am at Zenith Bookstore

Margi Preus will lead a children's story time at Zenith Bookstore, reading her newest picture book Lily Leads the Way.  This children's reading is part of WINTER OUT WEST, a weekend of fun activities in West Duluth sponsored by Riverfront Community Development and Valley Youth Center to connect, explore, shop and celebrate our community.

The complete festival schedule is posted below. You can find the latest event info on Facebook >

Windswept: 2023 Minnesota Book Awards Finalist

On January 28, Friends of the St. Paul Public Library announced finalists in nine categories for the 2023 Minnesota Book Awards, presented this year by Education Minnesota. Nominees were chosen by 27 judges from around the state — writers, teachers, librarians, booksellers and others from the literary community.

Windswept was one of four books nominated for Best Middle Grade Literature. The 2023 nominees include:

• The Counterclockwise Heart by Brian Farrey

• Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo

• Monsters in the Mist by Juliana Brandt

Winners for 2023 will be announced Tuesday, May 2 in a live Ceremony at the Ordway. View all 2023 finalists from all categories >