SCBWI's Lin Oliver & Stephen Mooser Receive Mentor Award from The Eric Carle Museum

Last week SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver and SCBWI President Stephen Mooser received the Mentor award at The Carle Honors ceremony held in New York City. The awards, given by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, celebrate "the creative vision and long-term dedication of key individuals and organizations to the art of the picture book and its vital role in supporting art appreciation, early literacy and critical thinking." Other recipients included David Macaulay (Artist), Kendra and Allan Daniel (Angel), and Nancy Schön (Bridge).

"It was a beautiful evening, in a fabulous and elegant space under the 59th Street Bridge," Lin told the SCBWI Board of Advisors. "Pat Cummings introduced us, and described the work of the SCBWI. Steve and I said a few words about SCBWI’s humble beginnings, and how it has grown into the powerful and proud organization it is today. I hope we gave proper credit to all the central figures who forged our mission and our group... Sue Alexander, Jane Yolen, Sid Fleischman, Don Freeman, Tomie dePaola... those who were there from the first day and put us on the map."

Considering the number of awards and grants SCBWI offers, Lin and Steve are more often on the giving end of such honors. "We are always more comfortable giving out awards than receiving them, especially for work that has been done by so many dedicated people throughout the years," Lin says. "Next summer in LA will be our 40th conference. That is awesome, humbling and terrifying all at once. Standing in front of that group Thursday night, though, we really felt the impact of those 40 years, and it was one of those moments when you just stand back and say, 'Yes, this is good.'"

 Steve Mooser, Eric Carle, and Lin Oliver