January 2025 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is thrilled to announce that four IVP Kids titles have received 2025 Independent Press Awards. The honored titles are Zion Learns to See by Terence and Zion Lester, Not Finished Yet by Sharon Garlough Brown, Penny Preaches by Amy and Rob Dixon, and Birth of the Chosen One by Terry M. Wildman.
The Independent Press Award recognizes outstanding books by independent authors and publishers. The competition is judged by experts from different aspects within the book industry, and selected IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence.
IVP Kids books received awards in the following categories:
Picture Books: Ages 4-8
Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness
Written by father-daughter duo Terence and Zion Lester, and illustrated by Subi Bosa, this story is inspired by real-life events. Zion joins her dad at the community center one day and learns about people experiencing homelessness. She is moved to respond as she recognizes that all people matter to God.
Childrens: Religion Fiction
Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All My Feelings
This gentle story by bestselling Christian novelist Sharon Garlough Brown, with illustrations by Jessica Linn Evans, shares the story of young Wren and Gran in their favorite place, Gran’s art studio. Not only is it where Wren and Gran paint, but it’s also where they talk about all the good and hard stuff of life—to each other, and to God.
Childrens: Christian Fiction
Penny Preaches: God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone!
Written by Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon, and featuring illustrations from Jennifer Davison, Penny’s story reminds us that God gives good gifts to everyone! Penny loves the sermon on Sunday because she loves to think about big things. But when preaching from the front porch to her friends doesn’t turn out quite as she expected, Penny wonders if she was wrong to want to teach others about God.
Distinguished Favorite, Childrens: Holiday
Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story
This unique retelling by Terry M. Wildman is an Indigenous translation that recounts the Creator’s Story following the tradition of Native storytellers’ oral cultures. With text from the bestselling First Nations Version and stunning Native American art by Hannah and Holly Buchanan, Birth of the Chosen One is a powerful picture book that illuminates the Christmas story in a fresh and new way.
In keeping with IVP’s historic mission, IVP Kids offers resources that reflect and celebrate diverse voices, equipping and encouraging children to follow Jesus in every area of their lives. “Books from IVP Kids aim to engage and encourage children with meaningful content,” says IVP Kids editor Elissa Schauer. “But the real challenge is to package that content in books that kids enjoy and want to read over and over and over again! This recognition from the Independent Press Award affirms the excellent work that these authors and illustrators have done. We extend our congratulations and sincere gratitude to all of them!”
For a complete list of IVP Kids award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners
Contact: Anna Tjernstrom | atjernstrom@ivpress.com
