The SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards recognize outstanding books created by SCBWI members across fifteen international regions. Unique among literary honors, the Crystal Kite Awards are peer-voted, making them a meaningful accolade within the children’s book community.
Each winning title showcases exceptional storytelling, imaginative illustration, and creative excellence, representing the very best of children’s literature produced by SCBWI members around the world.
Included in the round up is Seina Wedlick‘s The Night Market. Published by Random House on October 10th, 2024, The Night Market takes readers on a journey with a young girl as she explores the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market, where each stall is an adventure waiting to be discovered! Filled with vibrant illustrations, this captivating picture book invites young readers into a world of magic, mystery, and the joy of finding treasures in unexpected places.
The Night Market is here again, and all one girl needs is a bag of gold coins to enter. The market is alive with the sound of hawkers and traders. “A taste of tangy sweetness!” hollers a man behind a towering fountain of lemonade. “I’ll trade you a joke for a coin,” a little boy calls. “Home grown spices!” shouts a granny at a counter. What should the girl buy? But, wait! Do you hear that? It’s the sound of an old African drum. Have a turn, then learn to make cards disappear when you shout Abracadabra! When the sun starts to rise and the night market winds down, the girl has one gold coin left—just enough to buy a return ticket to the night market.
With stunning illustrations by Nigerian-American artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, here is an enchanting read aloud about curiosity and the wonders that lie hidden in plain sight.
Read more about the awards here.
