ASPCA Presents Awards at American Library Association Conference to Winners of 2002 Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tuesday, 10 June 2003

Books selected promote compassion and respect for all living things.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will present awards to the winners of the 2002 Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards & Honors at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 23rd at the American Library Association conference in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada. Named after the founder of the nation's oldest animal welfare organization, the awards and honors will go to eleven selected books published in 2002 based on their exemplary handling of subject matter pertaining to animals and the environment.

"The Henry Bergh Book Awards and Honors were established to honor books that promote kindness and respect for all living things," says ASPCA Acting President, Stephen Musso. "We are thrilled that these awards continue to raise awareness about animal welfare issues in the publishing industry and I was proud this year to have been one of the judges."

The eleven winning books range in style and subject matter. Four winners in the non-fiction category include: the wonderful relationship between children and dogs around the world, the work of veterinarians and volunteers at the Elephant Hospital in Thailand, how animals communicate through sight, sound and smell, and a resource for the proper care of horses. Five winners in the fiction category include stories about: a family faced with their dog's illness and how they take one day to celebrate his life, the bond between a troubled teen and a dog at an animal shelter, the story of two girls who arrange for the release of a captive monkey, a heartwarming tale about a brave pig, and the survival of an injured goose. The winning book in poetry celebrates the rescue of a turtle.

To read more about the winners of The ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award and Honors visit www.aspca.org/bookaward.

The 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award & Honor Winners

Non-Fiction Companion Animals:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
A Kid's Best Friend by Maya Ajmera & Alex Fisher
Charlesbridge Publishing

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor
Cherry Hill's Horse Care Book for Kids by Cherry Hill
Storey Kids/Storey Books

Non-Fiction Environment and Ecology:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
Animal Talk: How Animals Communicate Through Sight, Sound and Smell by Etta Kaner
Kids Can Press, Ltd.

Non-Fiction Humane Heroes:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
The Elephant Hospital by Kathy Darling
The Millbrook Press, Inc.

Fiction Companion Animals:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker
Kids Can Press, Ltd.

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor
StrayDog by Kathe Koja
Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Fiction Environment and Ecology:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
Goose's Story by Cari Best
Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Fiction Humane Heroes:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor
Little Flower by Gloria Rand
Henry Holt & Company

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor
Monkey for Sale by Sanna Stanley
Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Poetry:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
Turtle Saver by Laurie Parker
Quail Ridge Press

Illustration:

Winner, 2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Illustration Award
Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker
Kids Can Press, Ltd.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org