The story of a little girl coming to terms with her daddy’s dangerous job has won Gold in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.
Shovelful of Sunshine, by Stacie Vaughn Hutton, illustrated by Cheryl Harness, and published by Headline Kids, an imprint of Headline Books in Terra Alta, W.Va., won Gold in Moonbeam’s category for books about Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem.
“The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and lifelong reading,” said Jim Barnes, awards director. “The Awards recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and to children themselves.”
Hutton was inspired by letters from coal miners to their families to write Shovelful of Sunshine. The hopeful message about overcoming darkness sparks discussions about the importance of family sticking together. It’s also a look into a facet of American work and industry.
The book was named a Gold Honoree by the Mom’s Choice Awards as Best Children’s Motivational/Inspirational Book. It recently was a Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for Best Children’s/Juvenile Fiction and an International Book Award Finalist for Best Children’s. Book: Mind/Body/Spirit.
“America’s Got Talent” winner, recording artist and coal miner’s son Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. wrote the foreword and says, “Shovelful of Sunshine will give you a glimpse into the lives of these wonderful people that I’m so thankful to call my friends.”
Shovelful of Sunshine by Stacie Vaughn Hutton, illustrated by Cheryl Harness, foreword by Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., ISBN 9780938467397, 8.5 x 8.5 hardcover, 32 pages, Retail $16.95. Available at local and online bookstores.
