FOCAL AWARD PRESENTATION 2025: Celebrating CACTUS QUEEN by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Jenn Ely

FOCAL Award Program, LAPL celebrating Cactus Queen by Lori Alexander

On Saturday, November 15th, friends, family, and members of FOCAL (Friends of Children and Libraries) gathered at the Mark Taper Auditorium of the LAPL Central Library for the annual FOCAL Award presentation, this year to Lori Alexander for her book Cactus Queen, a picture book biography of Minerva Hoyt, the woman who campaigned for the creation of Joshua Tree National Park and to Jenn Ely, the illustrator of the book. 

Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park, by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Jenn Ely

In the tradition of the award, the author and the illustrator were presented with a puppet of the main character of the book. A second identical puppet will go on display in the children's room of the library, joining puppets from previous years. The puppets were created by Jesse Kingsley and Moira MacDonald.  

Jesse Kingley, Puppeteer, with puppets of Minerva Hoyt

The program was introduced by Marilyn Robertson, FOCAL President. After a presentation by Lori Alexander about how she came to write the book and a question and answer session with the audience, the essay contest winners were introduced by Sandy Schuckett. 

Sandy Schuckett, Introducing the Essay Winners

The three students read their excellent essays to the audience. They wrote about how they responded to the book, a favorite part or character, and why they would like to meet the author. Then we all enjoyed chocolate chip cookies in the library patio.

Lori Alexander, Question and Answer Session

I have been a member of FOCAL for many years. In order to be awarded the FOCAL book award, the book must be of the highest literary and artistic quality, and must have California content. I know how hard it is to choose a winner–I served on the committee for four years. This year’s choice is excellent and a fitting book to celebrate. I have visited Joshua Tree National Park a number of times. It is a remarkable place filled with a diversity of wildlife, desert plants, impressive rock formations, and the unique Joshua trees, which are endemic to the place. We can all be grateful that Minerva Hoyt worked so hard to make sure it was preserved.

Marilyn Robertson, President of FOCAL