Gary & Grace Jansen Win Christopher Award for Remember Us with Smiles

Rockville Centre, N.Y.-based authors Grace and Gary Jansen and Italian illustrator Barbara, Bongini, have been honored with Christopher Awards for their book, Remember Us with Smiles (Ages 6 and up, Loyola Press). It is one of 12 books for adults and young people as the Christopher Awards program marks its 74th year.

Gary Jansen said, “when a family spends time together, what feels ordinary in the moment often becomes something to celebrate in the future.” The book explores bedtime stories and car rides for ice cream to visits to the park. Treasure the ordinary moments is its message for readers of all ages.

Grace Jansen worked in the public school system for more than 20 years. She is now a personal trainer who inspires people of all ages to be their best selves.

Gary Jansen, executive editor of acquisitions at Loyola Press, is a popular speaker and the author of several books, including “The 15-Minute Prayer Solution,” and “Station to Station,” to name just two. He has appeared on A&E, the Sundance Channel, the Travel Channel, Coast to Coast AM, CNN.com, and NPR. His writing has been featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Angelus, and Religion Dispatches. Jansen worked at Penguin Random House for 25 years where he was the editor on several New York Times bestsellers.

Barbara Bongini was born in Milan and knew at an early age that she wanted to be an artist. After graduating from the European Institute of Design, she pursued a career in children’s publishing. When not illustrating, she enjoys spending time with her two children and going to bookstores so she can continue building her own library of illustrated books.

Christopher Awards were also given to creators of 10 TV/Cable shows and feature films.

The Awards celebrate authors, and illustrators as well as writers, producers, and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit” and reflects the Christopher motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Christopher Awards were also given to the creators of 10 TV/Cable shows and feature films.

Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications, said, “The stories we’re honoring acknowledge that the struggles we endure in life coexist with beauty and hope when we work together, despite our differences, to add love and healing to our world.”

The Christophers, a nonprofit founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.