Award-winning author Irish Beth Maddock released her first children’s book in Canada last year to a heap of awards. Beyond raking in positive reviews, The Great Carp Escape (Word Alive) has won recognition from 10 literary award sponsors thus far, including Reader’s Favorite Awards, a USA Best Book Award, and an Illumination Book Award. Maddock’s debut Christian children’s book is a quiet allegory of the Gospel of Jesus and how He brings us–as represented by the carp–from dead water to living water.
Abandoned by her mother at the age of four and raised by a working father, Maddock was left to care for her one year old brother. Growing up with such great responsibility in childhood, but also with much freedom, Maddock and her brother took to living a life of lakeside discovery.
Living on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada, Maddock and her brother spent many afternoons playing in the shallows and discovering God’s creation. After a particularly wet spring where a shallow pond formed from the lake’s overflow with bottom-feeding carp, Maddock discovered the premise for her story. Promoting compassion and appreciation for all of God’s creatures, The Great Carp Escape helps children discover God’s love through understanding and community.
“Irish Beth Maddock has written a simple story with a sound message in The Great Carp Escape,” said Bil Howard of Reader’s Favorite. “Although carp are not particularly attractive, they are one of God’s creatures and in their way have a certain sort of beauty that is all their own. It is impossible not to be drawn into this story without fully appreciating the rich colors and awesome detail. A simple message with profound meaning and illustrated beautifully, The Great Carp Escape is a great addition to any child’s book collection.”
The Great Carp Escape has earned the following award placements:
- 2015 Illumination Book Awards – Gold Medal – “Enduring Light” Children’s Picture Book
- 2015 Beverly Hills Book Awards – Winner – Children’s Religious
- 2015 USA Best Book Awards – Finalist – Children’s Religious
- 2015 International Book Awards – Finalist – Children’s Religious
- 2015 Reader’s Favorite Best Illustrated Book Award – Christian
- 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards – Finalist – Children’s Religious
- 2015 New Apple Book Awards – Solo Medalist – Religion / Spirituality
- 2015 Global eBook Excellence Award – Silver Medal – Children’s Christian Picture Book
- 2015 NABE Pinnacle Book Awards – Fall – Children’s Interest
- 2015 Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Medallion – Awarded by author, Bil Howard
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