Maui Author Represents Hawaii at National Book Festival

Lindy Shapiro accepting Ka Palapala Poʻokela Award from the Hawaii Book Publishers Association earlier this year. Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Maui author Lindy Shapiro continues to rake in the awards and accolades for her children’s book “Moon Mangoes.”

This time “Moon Mangoes” has been selected as the book to represents Hawaii at the 12th Annual Library of Congress National Book Festival on September 22-23. The event is held at the National Mall in Washington, DC every year.

“This is a huge honor and to have the opportunity to meet so many amazing authors at the National Book Festival, to be a part of that incredible celebration of literature…it’s really a dream, I feel incredibly lucky and I don’t take a bit of it for granted,” said Shapiro. Shapiro will travel to Washington, DC to be part of the festivities.

Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book during the National Book Festival in the Pavilion of the States, which is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Pavilion of the States salutes the literary traditions of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US territories. Selections have been made from each state and Shapiro’s “Moon Mangoes” will be featured in the Hawaii booth.

“This is the first book I’ve had published. I’ve loved to write my entire life, but I’m still getting used to calling myself an author. Moon Mangoes is a story that’s very close to my heart. It grew from the experiences I’ve had as a mom with two children. Their imaginations amaze me and remind me that truly anything is possible if we dare to dream it,” added Shapiro.

“Moon Mangoes” written by Lindy Shapiro and illustrated by Kathleen Peterson. Courtesy photo.

When asked what she was working on next, Shapiro explained, “Right now I am working on a few projects. I hope that I can continue to write stories that make people smile…and think…and grow…and learn.  With my work, I try to bring us all a little closer and remind us that we are all connected on this incredible planet. I think a great book can inspire and empower and I’m just excited to be a part of that process.”

In addition to be asked to participate in the National Book Festival, Shapiro along with her illustrator Kathleen Peterson and BeachHouse Publishing were awarded the Hawaii Book Publishers Association’s 2012 Ka Palapala Po’okela book award for “Moon Mangoes” in May.

In 2011, Shapiro won a silver medal at the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards which honors the nation’s best children’s books, authors, and illustrators. Moon Mangoes won in the picture book category.

Lindy Shapiro is an educator who has been sharing stories with children for many years. In 2006, she founded Bodhi Education Project, a nonprofit that promotes awareness of the human experience and understanding of cultures, allowing people to connect with their world and, in turn, share responsibility in taking care of it.]

Shapiro is a graduate of Northwestern University in Chicago with a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and a specialization in the 0-3 year age group.  She is currently working towards a PhD in Education at the University of Hawaii.