2025
“This journey wasn’t always an easy one, but I love the final result. It was all worth it.” –Suhala Hassan, city winner
2024
“This process was an immense effort, filled with trial and error, but seeing everyone’s heartfelt reactions to our story and illustrations made it all worthwhile! I never knew how much bookmaking would influence me; it is an activity I highly recommend!” – Emma Chu, city winner
2023
“I wanted to portray how fears can be unfounded, and that we shouldn’t be afraid of the unknown.” –Uki Tripathy, borough winner
2022
“I chose to write about the pandemic because it affected all of our lives and we NEED to talk about it.” —Melissa Browning, city winner
2021
In response to the pandemic and Black Lives Matter we developed an EJK Essay Contest in grades 3 through 5.
“This pandemic is helping me to understand life. Things could be worse. I laugh and smile to stay positive, because I know one day this rollercoaster will stop and life will become normal again.”—Jard Wilson, borough winner
2020
“My story became about how humans can save the earth for young people like me, and future generations of kids all over the world.” —Sophia Wright, borough winner
2019
“I want others to know that just because this book has so few words, it is not only a kid’s book. The ideas are universal and apply to other families all around the world.” —Lizbeth Vargas, borough winner
2018
“Books have inspired me, and my love for reading continues to grow. I worked so hard on this book. I drew, wrote, colored and edited almost every day. Working in pencil, Sharpie, crayon and finally watercolor, I created my book. This has been an amazing experience and one that I will never forget!” —Raymond Chen, city winner
2017
“I thought about colorful and happy things, such as rainbows…and about how they would be without color….Showing the emptiness in a world without color, I hoped to show the necessity of color, diversity and individuality in our world.”—Delia Lima, Bronx borough winner
2016
“The inspiration came from my friend, who, like one of the main characters in my book, gets picked on in school. I hope that this book will give her confidence….Even though it was hard work, I am so glad that I made it.” —Amarion Kent, Manhattan borough winner
2015
“Inspiration is not something that can be perfectly described….I let a word or a phrase stimulate my power of expression….My subconscious chose to tell the story….”
—Laura Wang, Manhattan borough winner
2014
“In creating this book I realized that not only the story, but also my feelings can be expressed through art.” —Karina Yusupova, Queens borough winner
2013
“Creating a book allows you to use all of the skills you have learned. It was hard work making my book but worthwhile.” —Ciara Sweeney, 2013 Queens borough winner
2012
“It was fun but hard work creating our book….When we finished we realized that all that work was worth it.” —Bryan Villamar, 2012 Manhattan borough-wide winner
2011
“Books have inspired me, and my love for reading continues to grow. I worked “When I started I never imagined my book would come out this way. I didn’t know I was capable of drawing like this.” —Chelsea Hagan-Brown, 2011 Bronx borough-wide winner
2010
“Books have inspired me, and my love for reading continues to grow. I worked “Although the process…was very complicated it really made me use my imagination…it was worth the effort to accomplish making a picture book.” —Leila Johnson, 2010 city-wide winner