Fort Greene-based Author Caron Levis Honored by a Christopher Award for "Ida, Always"

Fort Greene, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based author Caron Levis and illustrator Charles Santoso, Sydney, Australia, have won a Christopher Award for “Ida Always," (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster). Written for children aged 6 and up, it is one of 12 books for adults and young people by 16 authors and illustrators to be celebrated, along with the writers, producers and directors of 10 feature films and TV/Cable programs, on May 16,2017 at the 68^th annual Christopher Awards in New York.

"Ida, Always," inspired by a real polar bear friendship, is a story of two best friends and a gentle reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always. Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. One sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn’t going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him—through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favorite spots.

Levis enjoys working with kids, using drama and writing to develop social, emotional, and literacy skills. She was inspired to write Ida, Always by the brave students, teachers, and parents she met during visits with her first book, Stuck with the Blooz. She is a Master of Social Work [MSW] candidate at Hunter College, with an MFA in creative writing from the New School, where she now teaches. She conducts loss and bereavement groups for children through the Jewish Board’s Loss and Bereavement program. Levis grew up near the real Gus and Ida. Some sounds that remind Levis of people she loves and misses are: the squeak of a sticky candy jar opening, the whir of a rotary phone dial, and the crash-swoosh of the ocean.

Charles Santoso (Chao, the man pictured in a hat) loves drawing little things in his little journal and dreaming about funny, wondrous stories. In addition to "Ida Always," he has illustrated several picture books, including "The Snurtch," "I Don't Like Koala" "Peanut Butter & Brains," and "Spy Guy: The Not so Secret Agent." His work has been exhibited in Sydney and also internationally in North America and France.

The Christopher Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.

Photo of Caron Levis in purple shirt by Jeremy Saladgya.