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CHICAGO – Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producer of “Me...Jane,” is the 2015 recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA), during the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, in Chicago.

Established with the support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Carnegie Medal honors an outstanding American video production for children released during the previous year. The award is administered by ALSC.

This transcendent adaptation of Patrick McDonnell’s 2012 Caldecott Honor draws viewers into the childhood of a young Jane Goodall who, with beloved stuffed chimpanzee, Jubilee, is transformed by what she observes in her own backyard, a “magical world full of joy and wonder.”

Paul and Sandra Fierlinger’s animation enriches the book’s artwork with additional vintage nature prints and Goodall’s original journal pages. These were seamlessly integrated with Katherine Kellgren’s expressive narration and Shay E. Lynch’s captivating score to produce an emotional blend of reality and dreams.

“In a few short minutes,” said Carnegie Medal/Notable Children’s Videos Committee Chair, Caitlin Dixon Jacobson, this film captures the curiosity and passion of young Jane, and hints at the importance of her life’s work to come.”

Members of the 2015 Carnegie Medal/Notable Children’s Videos Committee are: Chair Caitlin Dixon Jacobson, Ketchikan (Alaska) High School Library; Eric Carpenter, Atlanta; Linda L. Ernst, King County Library System, Bellevue, Wash.; Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library; Laura Lutz, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York; Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek (Wis.) Public Library; and Laurie Reese, Los Angeles Public Library.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at .

For information on the Andrew Carnegie Medal and other ¾«¶«´«Ã½Youth Media Awards, please visit .

Contact:

Macey Morales

Media Relations Manager

312-280-4393

mmorales@ala.org

Heather Cho

Media Relations Specialist

312-280-4020

hcho@ala.org

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