BARRINGTON-BASED ILLUSTRATOR CHRISTOPHER DENISE TO BE HONORED BY A CHRISTOPHER AWARD FOR "FIREFLY HOLLOW" ON MAY 19 IN NYC

Christopher Denise whose studio is in Barrington, RI has won a Christopher Award for illustrating Firefly Hollow (Ages 10 and up, Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster), written by Alison McGhee. The book is one of 12 for adults and young people by 21authors and illustrators to be celebrated, along with the writers, producers and directors of nine winning feature films and TV/Cable programs, on May 19 at the 67th annual Christopher Awards in New York.

According to Tony Rossi, director of communications for The Christophers, the book “presents a tale of adventure, friendship and courage about Peter, a lonely boy who befriends a firefly that wants to touch the moon and a cricket that wants to be a baseball catcher like his hero Yogi Berra.” McGhee, whose home is in Minneapolis, reminds readers that the very best friend is the one who wants you to achieve your dreams.

Denise is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and visual development artist. His first book, a retelling of the Russian folktale “The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship,” was pronounced “a stunning debut” by Publishers Weekly. Since then, Chris has illustrated more than 25 books for children, including “Following Grandfather,” by Rosemary Wells, “Oliver Finds His Way,” by Phyllis Root, “Baking Day at Grandma's” by his wife Anika Denise and some in Brian Jacques’ acclaimed “Redwall” series. His books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents’ Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.

McGhee is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “Someday,” “All Rivers Flow to the Sea,” “Maybe a Fox,” “Bink” and “Gollie” and many other books for all ages. She is also the author of the adult novel “Shadow Baby,” which was a Today Show Book Club selection and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Alison is a professor of creative writing at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, as well as the mother of three children.

Created in 1949, The Christopher Awards are presented to authors and illustrators as well as writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” Rossi says, “The world around us can seem like a dark place but the stories we honor with Christopher Awards remind us that we can illuminate the darkness by choosing to practice faith, love, compassion, courage, teamwork, and determination.”

The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.