It was wonderful to have The Miracle Seed selected as the 2025 CBHL Literature Award of Excellence for Young Adults from The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries. It's an honor to be selected by an organization comprised of Botanical and Horticultural Libraries throughout the world!
Thanks to Stacy Stoldt, Co-Chair, CBHL Annual Literature Award Committee Director of Volunteer Administration at the Lenhardt Library of the Chicago Botanic Garden for reading my statement at the annual meeting.
My Statement
I am thrilled to hear the good news that The Miracle Seed was chosen for the 2025 CBHL Literature Award of Excellence for Young Adults from The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
The book was a labor of love.
I grew up in back of a candy store in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. At that time, plants were not part of my experience. It was only when I was in college that I made my first attempt to grow something. Tomato plants were on sale at the local supermarket. The plant I brought home grew and grew until its leaves covered a window of the apartment I shared with my brother. Unfortunately, after a summer of growth we harvested one itty bitty cherry tomato. My brother and I cut that tomato in half and feasted on the fruit of the harvest. At that time I did not know anything about the need for pollinators. (That one tomato was probably pollinated by a cockroach.) I've learned a lot since then.
My first job was teaching painting and illustration at a small college in rural Pennsylvania. As luck would have it, there was a farmer nearby that was renting plots of land. I grabbed one and grew corn, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and beans. The vegetables I harvested that year were miracles to me. A love affair with growing things began...
Since then, my day begins in the garden. Working with plants centers me before I write or paint.
I've always enjoyed gardening and have shared my love of gardening with my grandchildren.
When I read about the amazing story of the rebirth of the extinct Judean date palm I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to tell that wonderful story.
Having my book recognized and receiving this award is very special to me.
Thank you.
Thanks to Stacy Stoldt, Co-Chair, CBHL Annual Literature Award Committee Director of Volunteer Administration at the Lenhardt Library of the Chicago Botanic Garden for reading my statement at the annual meeting.
My Statement
I am thrilled to hear the good news that The Miracle Seed was chosen for the 2025 CBHL Literature Award of Excellence for Young Adults from The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
The book was a labor of love.
I grew up in back of a candy store in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. At that time, plants were not part of my experience. It was only when I was in college that I made my first attempt to grow something. Tomato plants were on sale at the local supermarket. The plant I brought home grew and grew until its leaves covered a window of the apartment I shared with my brother. Unfortunately, after a summer of growth we harvested one itty bitty cherry tomato. My brother and I cut that tomato in half and feasted on the fruit of the harvest. At that time I did not know anything about the need for pollinators. (That one tomato was probably pollinated by a cockroach.) I've learned a lot since then.
My first job was teaching painting and illustration at a small college in rural Pennsylvania. As luck would have it, there was a farmer nearby that was renting plots of land. I grabbed one and grew corn, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and beans. The vegetables I harvested that year were miracles to me. A love affair with growing things began...
Since then, my day begins in the garden. Working with plants centers me before I write or paint.
I've always enjoyed gardening and have shared my love of gardening with my grandchildren.
When I read about the amazing story of the rebirth of the extinct Judean date palm I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to tell that wonderful story.
Having my book recognized and receiving this award is very special to me.
Thank you.
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