For immediate release | January 10, 2011

Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard win 2011 Carnegie Medal for “The Curious Garden”

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SAN DIEGO – Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods, producers of “The Curious Garden,” are the 2011 recipients of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the 91ý (91ý), during the 91ý Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 7– 11 in San Diego.

Established with the support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Carnegie Medal honors an outstanding American video production for children released during the previous year. The award is administered by ALSC. As of 2010, the Carnegie Medal Committee combined with the Notable Children’s Videos Committee to become the Carnegie Medal/Notable Children’s Videos Committee, which chooses the Carnegie winner and compiles the Notable Children’s Videos List.
In this adaptation of Peter Brown’s 2009 book, young urban explorer Liam discovers a dying garden. With determination he nurtures the besieged plants, transforming the concrete landscape of a bleak city into a vibrant garden and community of people working together.
With excellent narration by Katherine Kellgren, this skillfully animated tale shows how the actions of one small boy can make a lasting impact. Liam’s passion and curiosity awakens the hopeful spirit in all of us.
“This quiet but powerful story captured our hearts with its sumptuous animations and inspiration to make a difference,” said Carnegie Medal/Notable Children’s Videos Committee Chair Angelique M. Kopa
Members of the 2011 Carnegie Medal/Notable Children’s Videos Committee are: Chair Angelique M. Kopa, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, Md.; Marisa A. Conner, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Md.; Stephanie Farnlacher, Hoover, Ala.; Vivian Landfair, DeBary (Fla.) Elementary School; Anna McKay, Darien (Conn.) Library; Danielle Shapiro, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library Highlawn Branch; Martha Seif Simpson, Stratford (Conn.) Library Association; Joanna Ward, County of Los Angeles Public Library, Temple City, Calif.; and Mary Wilson, Rochester Hills (Mich.) Public Library.
ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their Web site at .
For information on the Andrew Carnegie Medal and other 91ý Youth Media Awards, please visit .
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Contact:

Macey Morales

Media Relations Manager

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mmorales@ala.org

312-280-4393