Noted children’s author and musician Johnette Downing to receive 2017 Louisiana Writer Award on Oct. 28

I'm so excited to announce that the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana has chosen Louisiana author and musician Johnette Downing to receive the 18th annual Louisiana Writer Award, an honor given in recognition of Downing’s outstanding contributions to Louisiana's literary and cultural life.

Downing will receive the award Oct. 28 at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge. 

Downing is a multi-published author, award-winning musician and an all-around nice person. She spends much of her time sharing Louisiana culture and traditions to children around the country. 

Downing at a previous
Louisiana Book Festival

Here's the official press release:

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser praised the multi-award winning musician and author for her dedication to sharing Louisiana’s rich culture through her books and music saying, “Johnette Downing has a special gift for making Louisiana’s unique culture come alive for children around the world. We are proud to call her one of our own.”

“It is a testament to the commitment to sharing the power of books with children across urban and rural Louisiana that the State Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana Center for the Book have selected a second children’s book author for the Louisiana Writer Award,” Downing said, adding that she is “humbled to be among such esteemed past recipients as Ernest Gaines, Darrell Bourque, Christine Wiltz, Tom Piazza, John Biguenet, Tim Gautreaux, and fellow children’s book author William Joyce.”

“I have had the honor of knowing Johnette throughout her nearly 30-year career,” said State Librarian of Louisiana Rebecca Hamilton. “She has been committed to sharing Louisiana roots music and literature with our youngest citizens from day one. Songs and books such as 'Today is Monday in Louisiana' will be passed down to generations to come.”

“It is the privilege of children’s book writers to create these stories as sparks for young minds,” Downing said.

Downing is the author of 22 books for young readers including "Petit Pierre and the Floating Marsh," "Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud" and "How to Dress a Po' Boy." She has been awarded a 2017 Grammy Participant Certificate, eight Parents’ Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, and four National Parenting Publications Awards, among others. For a full bio and discography, visit http://www.louisianabookfestival.org/louisiana_writer_award.html.

Nungesser and Hamilton will present Downing with the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award on Saturday, Oct. 28, during the opening ceremony of the Louisiana Book Festival at the State Capitol. 

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country.” She writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.