2015 IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year Award goes to Painting for Peace in Ferguson

ST. LOUIS - May 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Painting for Peace in Ferguson (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/) received notice May 1, 2015 that it has been awarded the Independent Publisher's 2015 Outstanding Book of the Year Award (http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1938) Gold Medal in the Peacemaker category. Painting for Peace in Ferguson was selected from nearly 6,000 entries from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, eight Canadian provinces, and 34 other countries around the globe for the IPPY award. Only nine books were chosen for outstanding book of the year in seven different categories. The medalists were “chosen from our regular entries for exemplifying this daring spirit — the book projects our judges found the most heartfelt, unique, outspoken and experimental,” according to Independent Publisher. This is the 19^th year for the awards.

“This award is a wonderful honor,” said Author Carol Swartout Klein. “But it is really because of the everyday people of Ferguson and St. Louis who wanted to make a difference in their community. Without their efforts and the amazing artwork that was the result there would not have been a story to tell. I’m also really proud that this award recognizes the talent of the 'all St. Louis' Painting for Peace in Ferguson team — from photographers to designers to printing — everything about the book shows the talent that this city has to offer. This award is recognition for everyone here who is working hard to make the St. Louis community an even better place for all of its residents."

Klein added, “What people continually tell me is that Painting for Peace in Ferguson opens doors and is a positive way to start to have the conversation about the issues around race in America that we are seeing everyday not only in Ferguson, but in Baltimore, New York, Cleveland, South Carolina — in short all across the country. Our next goal is to get the book national distribution as we're seeing orders for the book from across the country and internationally."

The Independent Publisher's judges choose books based on the following criteria:

First Impression
Design
Originality
Use of language
Message delivery
Relevance

The goal of Painting for Peace in Ferguson is threefold:

To show children that everyone has tools to help
To give parents and teachers a way to help start a conversation with children and to give adults an inspirational way to share a moment when a landscape of fear was transformed into messages of hope and healing
To give back to Ferguson, MO and surrounding communities as all proceeds after printing costs will be donated to youth programs and small businesses

The Painting for Peace in Ferguson website (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/) includes additional resources for parents and teachers to help them talk about the issues raised in Ferguson. It also provides ways the general public can help the Ferguson and Dellwood communities with opportunities for donations, businesses to support and ways to volunteer.

Designed by St. Louisans Robert O’Neil and Michael Kilfoy, the book was published locally by Layla Dog Press and printed by Advertisers Printing Company. The book is available at independent St. Louis book retailers (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/#!retail-bookstores/cspw) and is also available nationally to order through your local, independent book store or Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Peace-Ferguson-Carol-Swartout/dp/0989867161/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427743109&sr=1-1&keywords=painting+for+peace+in+ferguson). You can also order online at: www.paintingforpeacebook.com. The book retails for $15.95 for the paperback and $25.95 for the hardback.

Klein created the book as a way to give back and help her hometown. Funds from the sale of the book will be deposited with the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations made to that fund above and beyond the price of the book are tax-deductible.

About Carol Swartout Klein

Carol Swartout Klein grew up in Ferguson. A journalist and marketing professional by training Klein has always wanted to do a children’s book. She saw how healing the actual process of creating the artwork was for all those involved … as the community came together to help others, the artists, business owners and volunteers helped themselves … and created new connections that she hopes will continue to create a positive environment of hope and peace.