Huge thanks to all my PBB colleagues and to you, dear readers, for your kind words of congratulations! I can’t believe that it’s been a month since the ALA Youth Media Awards were announced. It feels like yesterday. It also feels like 4 months, not 4 weeks. I guess that’s what happens when your reality shifts. Time does weird things. I also do weird new things, like running my fingers over the Caldecott seal every time I pass the book, which is displayed strategically behind my desk so it shows up in every Zoom call.
I don’t yet have the Newbery Honor or APALA award stickers to put on my copy, but I’m sure I’ll be petting them once they arrive, too, just to make sure that they’re real. Three ALA awards for Watercress. I still can’t wrap my head around it. My friends here at PBB thought you’d like to hear about the calls, and I’ve always thought it would be fun to interview myself, so here goes:
Which call did you get first and what was your reaction?
I had just gotten home from walking my dog Tupelo when my editor Neal Porter called. He wanted to know if I’d “seen the email” yet, which sounded slightly ominous. When I said no, he replied that he was happy he got to share the news with me, which relieved my anxiety. But it was mid-December and the ALA awards were not on my mind — everyone knows that the awards committees make The Calls early in the morning on the day of the announcement ceremony, which was still a month away. So when Neal told me that Watercress had won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the picture book category, I had to sit down. I don’t really remember what happened next, but I probably asked him to repeat himself or said something brilliant like, “What? Are you serious?” And then after I promised to keep it a secret, we ended the call so he could tell Jason the news. I was stunned and thrilled, but even more than that, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s an incredible thing to be recognized by librarians, who read huge numbers of books. And knowing those librarians share my identity as an Asian American made it even more special. My husband and I celebrated by going out to dinner that night, but then I had to put it out of my mind or else keeping it a secret for a month was going to drive me batty.
You mean even battier than usual? Seriously, though, congrats on not telling anyone more than three people. When did you find out about the Caldecott Medal?
The Caldecott Medal is given to the artist for the illustrations in a children’s book, so I didn’t get a call from the award committee. Jason did, though, as he recounts in his interview with Mr. Schu on his blog Watch. Connect. Read. Essentially, he was tricked into a Zoom call with Neal the Saturday before the ALA YMA ceremony and was unprepared to find the Caldecott committee on the screen!
But you did get a call that day, right?
Yes, Neal called me that afternoon, conferenced Jason in, and let Jason tell me that he had won. It was awesome. I got choked up listening to them both but then I really lost it after hanging up. I tried to tell my husband the news but all that came out was a gasp and a flood of tears. I was (and still am) SO HAPPY for Jason. His art took Watercress to another level entirely. It wouldn’t be the book that it is without his vision and talent.
You cry a lot, don’t you? I mean, you’ve said that you cried while writing the book, while reading the book aloud, and now after it gets awards… dare I even ask about the Newbery Honor?
As I said on ALSC‘s Newbery Coffee Klatch last week, I’m going to own being a crier. I’m going to lean in to crying and stop apologizing for it. That’s just how my body reacts to strong emotion — by leaking out of my eyes. And yes, I cried when the Newbery committee called the Sunday before the ALA YMA to tell me that I had won the Honor award, and I cried when Neal called and conferenced Jason in again and this time let me tell him that I had won. The Newbery Medal is given “to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” and is typically awarded to longer works, so to receive the Honor for a picture book was just incomprehensible to me. Watercress is only the fifth picture book to have received both Caldecott and Newbery recognition. Mind. Blown.
So what now? What does this all mean and what are you going to do?
I wish this meant that I could retire to a yurt in the woods to write at my leisure…
<snaps back to reality> …but actually it means I’ll be wearing yoga pants less often, as I have many events lined up for the, uh, next year. (Note to self: update website with events!) Don’t worry, I’ll still be wearing pants, just not ones with forgiving waistbands. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and soon-to-be friends in person, and wishing with all my might that the awards banquet at the ALA Annual Conference this summer will be in person, too. If you happen to be going, look for me — I’ll be the crying one.
On a more serious note, what the awards mean is that Watercress will be on library and bookstore shelves for many years to come. I am thrilled that a book about Chinese immigrants and their Chinese American kids will reach so many readers. May it reflect their experiences back to them, or open a window or door for them to see our common humanity.
Don’t forget to talk about your books, silly. And the giveaway.
Oh, right. My next picture book, Luli and the Language of Tea, comes out on May 17, 2022, also from Neal Porter Books/Holiday House. I’ll be doing an interview with the fabulous illustrator, Hyewon Yum, for my PBB post that month! I’m also working on revisions to my second MG novel and a PB biography, and trying to do research for another PB bio. That yurt is sounding more enticing by the second!
Thank you all for reading this post and for sharing in my joy! It means a lot to me!
Giveaway: Leave a comment by Friday, March 4th to be entered in a giveaway for a signed copy of Watercress! It won’t have the bling, but it is from the first printing. U.S. addresses only.
Andrea,
I loved reading about your calls and your journey. Huge congratulations! All your accolades are well-deserved!
Thanks so much, Jody!
Congrats again and again! Keep on crying!!
Thanks, Lisa! Not sure I could stop crying even if I wanted to!
Oh, thank you for sharing how you received all the exciting news! Congratulations on all your success. I can’t wait to read Luli and the Language of Tea.
Thanks so much, Heather! I hope you enjoy LULI!
So lovely to share in your joy. I was rooting for your book from the beginning! Congratulations again!!
Thank you, Lindsay! I appreciate you rooting for Watercress!
What a fun post-your batty alter ego is darling! Many, many good wishes to you and Jason!
Thank you, Ashley! I admit that while I was writing this post, I kept hearing one of my MFA writing instructors in my head, who used to tell me “Make it funnier!” Such a hard thing to do under pressure, LOL.
Such well-deserved awards. Watercress is an amazing book. I am not Asian American, but Watercress spoke to me and my childhood, growing up in hand-me-down clothes and food insecurity. Thank you for bringing those realities into the world of kidlit.
Thank you so much, Marilny! I’m happy that Watercress resonated with you. I hope that the book helps more readers understand that food insecurity is still an issue in the U.S.
I was at my local library to arrange details for an author event. It was a day or two after the awards announcements. While waiting for my meeting ,I sat and read Watercress. It brought tears to my eyes, with the simplicity and beauty of both the text and illustrations. The reader can feel the range of deep emotions experienced across all the generations of this family, in a way that educates and uplifts. I had a beautiful moment of feeling peace and compassion and connection while reading your book. Its message and meaning will resonate across generations and cultures. And Jason’s art brings and keeps the reader in the story, in a timeless and evocative way – totally deserving of the Caldecott! CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Janet! I’m so glad you connected with Watercress.
Awww, congratulations! What a lovely story of hearing about your awards! I think I would cry too. Yay!
Thank you, Angie!
Such exciting news- and well deserved! Congrats!!
Thanks so much, Danielle!
An amazing post! I love WATERCRESS sooooooo much and it deserves every honor it wins. Congratulations!!!!!
Thanks so much, Debra!
I absolutely love this book. I need it in my collection.
Thank you, Patricia!
In a time when so much has felt troubling or askew, the success and honors for WATERCRESS has felt exactly, perfectly right! Celebrating (and crying) right along beside you!
Aww, thank you for your kind words (and tears), Cathy!
this is so lovely…and I’m crying too! Own it sister!! 🙂
Thank you, Katie! I’m now a proud crier! ?
I’m so thankful this beautiful book about the Asian American immigrant experience exists and that it has received the recognition it deserves. Congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Sharon!
Andrea, such happy tears!!! Watercress is so beautiful and it makes me happy to know it will delight children for years and years to come. Congratulations on all the honor and recognition!!! So richly deserved. I hope you’ll get a room of your own, if not a yurt 🙂
Thank you, Vijaya! I really can’t complain about not having a yurt. I do have an office in my house, but it comes with a dog and laundry and dusting and bills, LOL
I enjoyed reading about your reactions to the awards announcements. Congratulations! Watercress is gorgeous.
Thank you, Danielle!
Wow! Many congratulations! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Kim!
Thank you for sharing your excitement about the recent honors for Watercress. Congratulations! For someone who hopes to have her own book on a shelf in the future, it’s both inspiring and exciting to hear about your journey. And, that yurt sounds appealing – so does writing at leisure! 🙂 Have a great day!
Thank you, Amy! Sending you best wishes on your author journey — keep going, you can do it!
Such a beautiful book and so deserving of all the awards! Congratulations and thank you for sharing the excitement surrounding “the calls!”
Thank you so much, Judy!
Consummate weeper here, and weeping for joy for you and all the well-deserved accolades for you and your heartfelt book! Love you, Andrea <3!!!
Love you too, Maria!! ??
Ohh! I’ve been excited about Watercress! And Jason Chin is one of my favorite illustrators.
Thank you, Stephanie!
I think you deserve a lovely yurt. Heck, I’d love one, too…Congratulations on such a lovely book.
Thank you, Kathy! Here’s to yurt dreams!
So fun to read about all your phone calls & how everything transpired. Huge congratulations! FWIW, I sometimes cry too. Can’t wait to read your next picture book!
Thank you, Tina! ?
Such a beautiful book! Thanks for telling us about “the calls” and letting us share the joy.
Thank you, Janet!
This looks like a beautiful book. I would love to have a copy for my two granddaughters.
Thank you, Stephanie!
Huge congratulations to all! I’ll be looking out for Luli and the Language of Tea.
Thank you, Lynn! I hope you enjoy Luli!
Congratulations, Lynn! You are the winner of the giveaway! Please look out for an email from me soon!
CONGRATULATIONS Andre and Jason!
Thank you, Lori!
I absolutely LOVED Watercress! It is deserving of all and every award. Congratulations!!??
Thanks so much, Renee!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Vasilia!
Congratulations to you and Jason! How exciting for you to get so many calls. I always love hearing about those wonderful calls.
Thank you, Lynn! There were definitely more calls than I expected, LOL.
I checked out Watercress from my library and read and reread it over and over, all the time seeing, reading, or learning something new each time. My granddaughter loved it as we read together. This is a simply lovely story told by words with a marriage of illustrations and memories to be shared and creating moments to recall of your own. Congrats on a great job!
Thank you so much, Terri. I’m so happy that you and your granddaughters read it together — I hope it sparked some good conversation!
Thanks for sharing your joy (and tears!)
Thank you, Buffy!
Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your journey and your joy. It seems that the yurt will be a dream for quite a while. Watercress is an amazing book that touches me on so many levels. Thank you for this gift, so richly deserving of all the accolades that it is receiving. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you, Anne! Yes, the yurt will have to wait. I admit that I checked out the ones in Rocky Mountain National Park that can be rented, but alas, they don’t have wi-fi so they’re not so great for meeting deadlines!
Andrea Wang, this is THRILLING. Those in my circle agreed immediately upon reading Watercress that it’s something special. The economy of the language and illustrations–the worlds and depth of emotion that is delivered in such a short work of art—-wow. Searing. Journey to self love through love of family that I think many children and adults identify with on the level of race–and otherwise. The Caldecott and the Newberry!-outrageous! — This really puts me on a high. Congratulations.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sue! ??
I laughed repeatedly at your interview. Thanks for sharing the roller coaster ride. So delighted for all of the well-deserved love for WATERCRESS.
Thank you, Kristin! ??
Congratulations! Very well deserved! ❤️
Thanks so much, Stacy!
Congrats, and I also cried–while reading Watercress. So beautiful and moving, Andrea (and Jason). Well-deserved honors, indeed.
Thank you for your kind words and your tears, Elayne!
Book looks wonderful! hope to read it to my twins!
Thanks, Zachary!
Andrea, how amazing! Congratulations to you and Jason. So well deserved.
Thanks so much, Mary!
Congrats on all the honors and recognitions, Andrea! Your self-interview was great, too.
Thank you so much, V!
What an amazing journey. Congratulations to you and Jason!
Thank you, Lenora!
Watercress is on my list of books to purchase! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Thanks, Quinette! Good luck on the giveaway!
Congratulations!!! I would have my “emotions leaking out of my eyes” if I were in your shoes too. Thanks for sharing this wonderful time with us.
My heart is so full for you, Andrea. I cried tears of joy for you and I’m glad you are not apologizing for how you express your emotions. HUGE congrats once again. So well deserved.
CONGRATS, ANDREA! This is a MUCH-DESERVED HONOR for such a BEAUTIFUL story/book. Having read it, I can DEFINITELY see why it has gained SO MUCH recognition. What a WONDERFUL way to pay tribute to your heritage. THANK YOU for sharing it with us, too!