Education | The Morgan Book Project | The Special Award 2012

Kate Reynolds, 3rd grade

Tenzing Dakpa, 7th grade

Kelly Chang, 4th grade

Jessica Zheng, 7th grade

The Project
In this free program, teachers from New York City public schools participate in a four-day Summer Institute, developed by the Morgan in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education. The program focuses on the integration of book arts into the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subject, as well as The New York City Department of Education Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. Through the following fall and winter, these teachers lead their students in the writing, illustration, and binding of manuscript books. In early March, teachers submit their students' four best projects to a jury. At the end of March, the winning books are featured in a one-day installation at the Morgan, while the students whose books were selected receive an award in the presence of their families, school teachers, and principals in the Morgan's Gilder Lehrman Hall. See photos »


The Special Award
Selecting from the winning entries, the judges identify four particularly remarkable books whose authors receive the Special Award: these books are featured on this page, with an artist statement from each of the authors.

The Books
The books are created with professional grade paper and binding material. The students made their own paint by grinding traditional pigment sources such as malachite, saffron, and insects. They complete their illustrations with 22 karat gold leaf.

Past Special Awards »