Boulder Illustrator wins Christopher Award for children's book

Boulder-based illustrator Penny Serrano and author/actor George Psomas from New York City have been honored with Christopher Awards for “Manoli the Greek Mouse,” (preschool and up, Mascot Books). It is one of 12 winning books for adults and young people as the Christopher Awards program marks its 76th year.

The Awards celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors, whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit” and reflect the Christopher motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

The book tells the story of Manoli Pontikis, a young Greek mouse, who lives in a small Greek village with his family. As the youngest of five, he feels like he does not have a talent like his older siblings. Children will join Manoli as he journeys through his village and searches for what makes him special. A story of self-discovery, the book illustrates the power of kindness.

Serrano is a Colombian American illustrator. During her childhood, she moved frequently, including to Colombia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Mexico. Penny attended the University of Colorado Denver, earning her B.F.A. in illustration and a minor in creative writing. Penny uses digital media for her illustrations where she plays with color and texture. During her free time, Penny likes watching movies with her husband Connor, going to art stores, or reading.

Psomas is a professional actor, singer, and voiceover artist from New York City. He has appeared on Broadway in “Fiddler on The Roof” and “South Pacific;” in the Broadway National Tour of “My Fair Lady;” and in six world-premiere plays and musicals, including Ken Ludwig’s “The Gods Of Comedy” and “Errol and Fidel,” earning an award for Best Supporting Actor from the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He made his Carnegie Hall debut singing “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” to honor Academy Award winner and fellow Greek American, George Chakiris, and he is also the winner of season two of “Broadway Idol.” George’s grandparents immigrated to America from the island of Lemnos and the village of Elika, Laconia, in Greece. Proud of his Greek heritage, he has played an active role in the Greek American community his entire life.

Christopher Awards were also given to creators of 9 TV/Cable shows and feature films. They celebrate authors and illustrators as well as writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit” and reflects the Christopher motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness” which also guides the organization’s publishing and radio programs.

Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications, said, “Our award-winning stories, both true and fictional, highlight people who have the odds stacked against them, but who face their challenges with faith and perseverance, allowing them to move through the darkness into the light and serve a higher purpose than themselves. In other words, these books, films, and TV programs don’t just engage and entertain; they teach, they heal, and they inspire.”

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. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.

Social media: #ChristopherAwards, Facebook: The Christophers / X: @ChristophersInc