A devotional children’s book by Ananda Rupa devi dasi is recognized as one of the best among all books published in Midwest last year
The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King, a children’s picture book by Anna Milagrits (Ananda Rupa devi dasi), an ISKCON devotee from Metro Detroit area, Michigan, is recognized as one of the best books published in Midwestern region in 2017.
On April 8, 2018, the Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) has announced the finalists for the 28th Annual Midwest Book Awards. The awards recognize quality in independent publishing in the Midwest. All books were copyrighted in 2017 and entered by publishers from MIPA’s 12-state Midwestern region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). There are three finalists in each category, and the winners will be announced on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the Midwest Book Awards Gala in Saint Paul.
The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King by Anna Milagrits (Ananda Rupa devi dasi) was published last year in Michigan by Samhita Press publishing house. The book is based on the famous narration from Srimad-Bhagavatam, found in the Eighth Canto. The story was illustrated by Antonina Hordovska, a devotee from Ukraine, and is among two other finalists in Illustration/Graphicscategory.
Ananda Rupa devi dasi: “I’m very happy to learn that the book is recognized as one of the best in its category. There were hundreds of books published in Midwest last year, and I’m glad that The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King was noticed and appreciated by the jurors. I hope that the readers who were not familiar with Srimad-Bhagavatam before, loved the story and will search for Srila Prabhupada’s books to read more. This children’s book is my humble offering to Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of his arrival anniversary to the United States and the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, so I’m glad it received such a special attention of the Midwest Independent Publishing Association”.
The list of the finalists for the MIPA’s Illustration/Graphics category include:
Kimmy’s Marvelous Wind-Catching Wonder by Linda Glaser, Illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis (Redleaf Press, St Paul, MN)
Nobody Likes a Booger by Angela Halgrimson, Illustrated by Brian Barber (Beaver’s Pond Press, Minneapolis, MN)
The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King by Anna Milagrits, Illustrated by Antonina Hordovska (Samhita Press, Sterling Heights, MI)
The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King is available for purchase at Samhita Press website samhitapress.com, as well as on Amazon.