Nashville resident Megan Alexander wins Christopher Award

Nashville author and Inside Edition correspondent Megan Alexander, who also lives in New York, and illustrator Hiroe Nakata of Japan received a Christopher Award for "One More Hug," (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing). The book, for children preschool and up, is one of 11 for adults and young people by 16 authors and illustrators to be honored as the Awards mark their 71st year. They join the creators of nine winning TV/Cable and feature films also being honored.

The Christophers' motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” is particularly apt in 2020 said Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications. The celebrated authors, illustrators, writers, producers, and directors whose works exemplify this Chinese proverb also “affirm the highest values of the human spirit,” he said.

This timeless tale of unconditional love and comfort for an anxious young boy as he leaves the nest and starts his journey through life is a perfect story for mothers to share with their sons to show them that it’s okay to have fears and needs—even as they get older—and it’s okay to share those feelings with the people who love them.

In addition to being seen every night on Inside Edition, the #1 syndicated newsmagazine television show, Alexander's extensive career has also included covering Thursday Night Football on CBS, having a recurring role on the ABC drama Nashville, appearing in the films God’s Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness and Space Warriors and executive producing the feature film Heartbeats. The author of Faith in the Spotlight, she also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation. She is a married mother of two young sons and a baby daughter and splits her time between NYC and Nashville.

Nakata was born and raised in Japan, later moving to New York City with her family. She studied illustration at Parsons School of Design before settling in Brooklyn and currently resides in Japan with her husband and daughter. Hiroe created the beautiful scenes throughout the book, drawing on her memories of her daughter’s early years in Brooklyn.

The Christophers, a nonprofit 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.