FSU’s Children’s Literature Centre Hosts Book Award Celebration

FSU's Children's Literature Centre Hosts Book Award Celebration

Oct 10, 2025 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University's Children's Literature Centre (CLC) recently held its 13^th Annual Book Award Celebration to honor award-winning author Hilary Horder Hippely for her book "I Know How to Draw an Owl."

Winning authors receive a monetary prize and a commemorative plaque and get the opportunity to visit the CLC's adopted school (Westernport Elementary) to share their book with students. This year, Hippely not only donated her monetary prize back to the CLC, but she also matched it so that the Centre was able to pre-purchase a copy of the book for every student at Westernport, which she personally autographed.

In addition to the CLC award, Hippely's book has amassed several other awards including the 2025 Cooperative Childdren's Book Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison Charlotte Zolotow Award, the 2025 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the 2025 Bank Street School of Education Best Picture Books of the Year, a 2025 Junior Library Guild Gold Star selection and the 2025 Kirkus Review Best Picture Books of the Year. The book was also nominated for the Washington State Children's Choice Award 2026 and the Vermont State Red Clover Picture Book Award 2026.

"This year's book award was extra special to honor a book that was receiving so many other awards in addition to our CLC award," said Dr. Sarah O'Neal, Director of the Children's Literature Centre. "It really speaks to the merit and importance of the theme of the book. Each year we honor a book that embodies the traits of compassion, love, and courage and this book hits all three."

Pictured above is Dr. O'Neal with author Hilary Horder Hippely.