National Indie Excellence Awards Recognizes The Barefoot Boy
2012 Children's Picture Book Finalist John Greenleaf Whittier's The Barefoot Boy
Adapted and Illustrated by Lisa Greenleaf http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2012.htm
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Moonbeam Children's Book Awards from the Independent Publisher
2011 Bronze Medal Winner for Best Illustrator
John Greenleaf Whittier's The Barefoot Boy
Adapted and Illustrated by Lisa Greenleaf
http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1483
Testimonials:
"This is a good old-fashioned, family-friendly book. The rich illustrations help translate the somewhat archaic language."
"What a charmer! Great revival of a classic. The artwork is stunning."
"A poignant reminder of the joys of nature and youthful freedom that still resonates today."
~ Jim Barnes (Managing Editor and Awards Director from the Jenkins Group)
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IN THE NEWS
AWARD WINNING ILLUSTRATOR FEATURED ON GIRL SCOUT STUDIO
Published Apr 7, 2012 at 3:00 am (Updated Apr 6, 2012)
Nashua, NH – Sponsored by Apprentice Shop Books (Amherst, NH) and the Children's Book Council, local award winning author/illustrator Lisa Greenleaf (Nashua, NH) will be the featured illustrator on the Girl Scout Studio website from April 9 through 13. The Girl Scout Studio initiative is intended to encourage and inspire storytellers at all age levels. The interactive website (http://studio.girlscouts.org/) offers insights into the creative process that authors and illustrators use to create their works. New authors and illustrators are added weekly and questions can be submitted online.
As a former First Class Girl Scout, Lisa Greenleaf was an excellent match for the program. Throughout the application process, the Girl Scouts were looking for participants whose projects “build girls of courage, confidence and character.” Ms. Greenleaf's projects do exactly that.
The inspiration for her award winning book John Greenleaf Whittier's The Barefoot Boy is the result of a Girl Scout project on researching her family tree. In your youth, Lisa realized she was a descendent of John Greenleaf Whittier and was inspired by his poetry. As an adult, she realized Whittier's inspiring words and beliefs needed to be shared with children.
Ms. Greenleaf has illustrated the America's Notable Women Series over the past five years. This series epitomizes the accomplishments of women who followed their beliefs throughout history. All of the women embodied in the books are women of great character, strength, and conviction. As illustrator to this series, Ms. Greenleaf has been able to capture each individual's personal resolve through realistic images and cover designs. Women of Granite: 25 New Hampshire Women You Should Know represented NH at the National Book Festival in 2008.
Ms. Greenleaf's inclusion on the Girls Scouts Studio allows an opportunity to spur the imaginations of children of all ages. Small children are able to realize that even a small doodle can lead to award winning illustrations. Young adults are able to understand that hard work and extensive research go into making your dreams come to fruition. For any age, Lisa encourages children to be confident in their abilities and to have the courage to pursue their dreams.
More information can be obtained at www.apprenticeshopbooks.com and www.lisagreenleaf.com.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120407/NEWHAMPSHIRE10/120409875&template=mobileart
November 18, 2011
Hometown artist wins prestigious award for her first children’s book.
Lisa Greenleaf, formally of Manchester By-The-Sea, was recently awarded the Bronze Medal for Illustration from the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for her newly published book John Greenleaf Whittier’s The Barefoot Boy. Ms. Greenleaf fulfilled a dream of bringing her ancestor’s poem and story back to life through 26 captivating illustrations. Ms. Greenleaf’s adaptation also includes a brief biography of Mr. Whittier’s countless achievements and accomplishments as a New England Quaker, poet, abolitionist, mentor to Louisa May Alcott and Mark Twain, and a contemporary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the Fireside Poets.
The beautifully drawn color illustrations within the book are both detailed and captivating -- you can almost pluck strawberries from the page, hear the creeks meandering through the New England landscape, and recall the freedom of running barefoot in the summer sun. The imagery from John Greenleaf Whittier’s childhood home in Haverhill, MA comes to life as the poem recounts his summers as a youth.
As a child, Ms. Greenleaf learned that her family was related to the late poet John Greenleaf Whittier. As a Girl Scout, she worked on her family tree and lineage, which sparked her curiosity in Mr. Whittier and his poems. Throughout the years, she continued her research on this remarkable New England icon. She recalls her father telling her once that he had to memorize “The Barefoot Boy” poem when he was a boy. He also used to recite the poem to Ms. Greenleaf and her two sisters when they were young children themselves. Ms Greenleaf believes this may be why the poem is so meaningful to her. The poem is a reflection and a reminder for all of us to cherish the exuberance of youth and always hold it close to you.
Ms Greenleaf grew up in Manchester-by-the-Sea where she found her passion in drawing and painting at a very young age. In a recent interview, Ms. Greenleaf spoke of her early childhood:
“I struggled with reading and writing as a child, so I never even considered being a poet or writer. Plus, teachers told me that I wasn't going to amount to anything. But I had always viewed myself as an artist since the first grade. As Mr. Whittier escaped into his words in his youth, I escaped into my drawings. It has always allowed a freedom of expression and a relaxing outlet for me. I think that many poets, authors, and artists experience the same feeling. Being a designer and artist in various mediums allows me to express my thoughts and myself in different ways at different times. As an interesting aside, I have overcome my early struggles with writing and wrote the four page biography of Mr. Whittier in this book.”
When asked about what inspired her to embark on this project, Ms. Greenleaf went on to say:
“I have always had a passion for inspiring people. In the case of ‘The Barefoot Boy’ project, I hoped to inspire people, especially children, through my drawings and my explanation of the journey to complete this book. I want children to realize they can aspire to great things by first examining who they truly are, and by not letting others decide for them. You have to believe in yourself first before others will believe in you.
I would like others to remember that Mr. Whittier was a man who was passionate in his beliefs who inspired people to action. It is a timeless message that transcends generations. There is so much we can all learn from that. Inspiration can be on a large or small scale with so much personal satisfaction along the way. If I can inspire one person to believe in himself and pursue his dream, then I have accomplished a great thing!
Visiting John Greenleaf Whittier's homes was one of the most important parts of illustrating this book. I made countless visits to the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill, MA for inspiration. Many images in the book contain references to the home itself, the barn, the Poet's Bridge (which was recently dedicated). There is a beautiful quilt in the birthplace, which I used to draw in the image of the Barefoot Boy jumping out of bed to greet the day. Sarah Greenleaf's rocking chair, Mr. Whittier's desk and the painting of the Whittier Birthplace are all reflected in the book. I wanted the readers to experience and make connections to the farm and its surrounding beauty. I also visited the Amesbury home of Mr. Whittier. Again, this experience was so inspiring and helped to bridge Whittier's youth to his adult accomplishments as mentioned in the biography. I was lucky enough to draw at Mr. Whittier's desk thanks to the generosity of the Whittier’s Birthplace Homestead Trustees.”
Ms. Greenleaf has over 25 years of experience in educational publishing, designing and illustrating. She successfully established Lisa Greenleaf Design Studio in 2004, a small company that provides clients with graphic design services, book publishing, illustrations and fine arts. She is available for book signings and educational events. Her books, fine art, gicleé prints, note cards are available online at www.Lisagreenleaf.com, as well as local shops, Zack’s and The Book Shop of Beverly Farms.
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Lisa Greenleaf receives a Bronze Medal for the Best Illustrator from the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
Moonbeam Children’s Book Award to NH Illustrator
Amherst, NH (November 1, 2011)– Apprentice Shop Books is proud to announce that Lisa Greenleaf (Nashua, NH) received a Bronze Medal for Best Illustrator from the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for her new book, John Greenleaf Whittier’s The Barefoot Boy. Released in September 2011, the book is Ms. Greenleaf’s first full length children’s book and contains 26 vivid images to accompany Whittier’s famous poem. The enchanting illustrations contain imagery from Whittier’s birthplace in Haverhill, MA and take readers back to a bygone era...more
The Children’s Book Council is the national nonprofit trade association for children’s trade book publishers. The CBC offers children’s publishers the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, literacy advocacy, and collaborations with other national organizations.
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The Eagle-Tribune — September 23, 2011
Bringing Haverhill poem to life
Modern 'Barefoot Boy' poses for book illustrations
by Mike LaBella
HAVERHILL — On a crisp November day in 2009, Aaron Zaino climbed trees at the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, gingerly crossed the historic property shoeless, and stood barefoot on stones in Fernside Brook — where the famous poet fished in his youth. On Sunday, Haverhill's reigning Barefoot Boy will be wearing sneakers when he and professional fine art illustrator Lisa Greenleaf, a descendent of the Whittier family, sign copies of her new book, "The Barefoot Boy."...more
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