You’re invited! Join local author and illustrator, Kari Percival, Thursday May 11, 7 pm, for a slide show and reception at the Malden Public Library to her recent Ezra Jack Keats Award. Kari traveled to Mississsippi, to receive the award at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival. She will share some highlights of her publishing journey, her insipiration for the book, and her time in Mississippi. This is a fabulous opportunity for aspiring authors and children’s book enthusiasts to hear about the process of drafting and publishing an award winning work. This is not to be missed.

The EJK Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Winners are selected by a committee of authors, illustrators and librarians. Percival won the Ezra Jack Keats Award for her debut picture book, How to Say Hello to a Worm, and introduction to gardening for toddlers, that was inspired by her experience leading the Early Birds’ Garden Club at the Malden Community Garden.