The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators announced winners of the 2023 Crystal Kite Awards, which are peer-selected and voted on by SCBWI members from local regions. The prize recognizes excellence in the field of children's literature in 15 U.S. and international regions. This year's Crystal Kite regional division winners are:
Atlantic: Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmerman, illustrated by Jamie Green
Australia/NZ: Bev and Kev by Katrina Germein, illustrated by Mandy Foot
California/Hawaii: Leo + Lea by Monica Wesolowska, illustrated by Kenard Pak
Canada: One Tiny Bubble by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dawn Lo
Internationals Other Regions: Baily and Blanket by Emily House
Mid-South: Big and Small and In-Between by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Daniel Miyares
Middle East/India/Asia: Shoham's Bangle by Sarah Sassoon, illustrated by Noa Kelner
Midwest: Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts
New England: That Egg Is Mine! by Liz Goulet DuBois
New York: Don't Look Back by Keely Hutton & Achut Deng
Southeast: Moon Tree by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani
Southwest: Dark on Light by Dianne White, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Texas/Oklahoma: Baa, Baa, Tap Sheep by Kenda Henthorn, illustrated by Lauren Gallegos
U.K./Ireland: Call Me Lion by Camilla Chester, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
Western: Namaste Is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat