FOCAL AWARD for BIDDY MASON SPEAKS UP by Arisa White and Laura Atkins, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Conversation led by Dewi Reyes of LAPL with the authors and illustrator of Biddy Mason Speaks Up, winner of the 2021 FOCAL Award

Celebrate Juneteenth with the powerful story of Biddy Mason. The FOCAL Award is given annually by The Friends of Children and Literature to a distinguished children’s book highlighting California. This year the award is presented to Biddy Mason Speaks Up, by authors Arisa White and Laura Atkins, featuring illustrations by Laura Freeman. The award ceremony (held virtually this year instead of the traditional luncheon) was a conversation with the authors about their experience creating the book and sharing Biddy Mason’s story, followed by the presentation of this year’s puppet award. 

Puppet of Biddy Mason made by Jesse Kingsley

A puppet of Biddy Mason, created by puppeteer Jesse Kingsley, was presented to the authors and illustrator and to the Children's Literature Department of the library. You can view it and all the puppets from previous years in person at the library.

FOCAL Award Ceremony

The event was sponsored by Friends of Children and Literature (FOCAL), the Friends group of the Children’s Literature Department. Michelle Marot of FOCAL introduced the program. You can view the ceremony on YouTube.