The University of Southern Mississippi will host the annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival and the Ezra Jack Keats (EJK) Award ceremony on its Hattiesburg campus April 9-11. This event will honor one of the most prolific figures in children’s literature, along with a group of emerging authors and illustrators poised to make a lasting impact in the genre.
LeUyen Pham, a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Bear Came Along by Richard Morris, and the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Julianne Moore’s Freckleface Strawberry book series and Kelly DiPucchio’s picture book Grace for President, will receive the festival’s top honor, the Southern Miss Medallion.
A native of Vietnam, Pham and her family immigrated to the U.S. in the final days of the Vietnam War. She grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA. Pham collaborated with Shannon and Dean Hale on the Princess in Black series designed for middle-grade readers and co-created the acclaimed graphic memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever with Shannon Hale. Together, they also wrote and illustrated the Itty-Bitty-Kitty-Corn picture book series.
Pham’s other works include Big Sister Little Sister; There’s No Such Thing as Little; A Piece of Cake; All the Things I Love About You; The Bear Who Wasn’t There; and Outside, Inside,which explores life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at Southern Miss, will present the 2025 EJK Award winners and honor recipients on Wednesday, April 10, following the Southern Miss Medallion presentation to Pham. The annual EJK Award celebrates outstanding early-career authors and illustrators who portray the multicultural nature of our world in the spirit of Ezra Jack Keats.
2025 Ezra Jack Keats Award Winners and Honorees
Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award: Breanna J. McDaniel, Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller, illustrated by April Harrison
Ezra Jack Keats Illustration Award: X. Fang, We Are Definitely Human
Writer Honors:
Illustrator Honors:
Dr. Deborah Pope, executive director of the EJK Foundation said, “This year our winner and honor books include stories about comical space aliens in need of human kindness, a little girl’s drive to connect with a new culture and her mother, and the barrier-breaking educator Augusta Baker. It’s a joy to recognize new writers and illustrators who create such beautiful and entertaining books–books that reflect the childhood experiences and daydreams of our diverse population.”
Regarded as one of the most important figures in children’s literature, Keats (1916-1983) is widely hailed for breaking racial barriers in children’s literature. His groundbreaking book The Snowy Day, which he both wrote and illustrated, is considered one of the most important children’s books of the 20th century. The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at Southern Miss houses some of his original manuscripts and other archival materials.
Karlie Herndon, curator for the de Grummond Collection, praised the EJK Award committee’s selections. “The 2025 EJK Award Committee has once again selected excellent picture books that are somehow both timely and timeless,” said Herndon. “Among this year’s winners and honors, we find stories of curiosity, kindness and communities coming together. These books will spark creativity, empathy, and joy in young readers, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome these up-and-coming creators into the EJK legacy.”
Dr. Mary Osborne, assistant to the director for special events and outreach coordinator in the School of Library and Information Science, emphasized the excitement surrounding this year’s festival.
“Our keynote speaker lineup this year highlights the range of content in the world of children’s literature,” said Osborne. “Our Southern Miss Medallion winner, LeUyen Pham, is an author and illustrator of many fabulous picture books, but elsewhere on our program, you’ll find Kate Leth, who’s authored a graphic novel capturing the angst and confusion of the teen years. We’ve also got Jos N. Holman, the Coleen Salley Storytelling Award winner, a phenomenal traditional storyteller from Indiana.”
Other featured speakers include Susan Campbell Bartoletti, known for her nonfiction work in children’s literature, and Carmen Agra Deedy, who draws from folklore and Cuban culture to craft her stories. Dr. Jamie Naidoo will offer a scholarly perspective on librarianship, while illustrator Will Hillenbrand will discuss creating art for children as this year’s de Grummond Lecturer.
The festival also offers valuable professional development opportunities for educators and librarians through breakout sessions. “It’s truly a great opportunity for librarians to meet each other, hear from authors and illustrators in the field, and learn new skills to take back to their work,” Osborne added. “I hope everyone leaves feeling energized and ready to make their libraries even better.”
Those wishing to attend the festival can register online at 2025 Children’s Book Festival Registration | Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival | The University of Southern Mississippi. Southern Miss faculty, staff, and students are offered a discounted rate. Educators who would like to register with a purchase order should email Dr. Osborne.
For more information, including a complete schedule and history of the event, visit Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival | The University of Southern Mississippi.
Learn more about the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation at The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation – Bringing a multicultural spirit to children’s literature.