Jeffrey Ebbeler wins Christopher Award for “Wolves Aren’t Welcome"

Cincinnati-based illustrator Jeffrey Ebbeler and author Cheryl Benner have been honored with Christopher Awards for their book, Wolves Aren’t Welcome, (Kindergarten and up, Wild Iris Publishing). It is one of 12 books for adults and young people as the Christopher Awards program marks its 74th year.

When Gabbaluchie the Wolf sets off to find a new home, his nonna sends him away with an important message: Kindness grows friendships. Happy and excited to make new friends, Gabbaluchie is surprised by how unwelcoming the other animals are to him. The book answers questions such as what happens when Gabbaluchie comes face to face with a snake? Will he be able to show kindness to another animal who also has an unfair reputation? Will he remember his nonna’s advice?

Ebbeler has been creating art for children for almost 20 years. After attending the Art Academy of Cincinnati, he worked for a puppet theater sculpting marionettes and performing. He also created many large-scale animal puppets for the Central Park Zoo. Subsequently he was an Art Director at Publications International ltd. in Chicago for 6 years, designing and occasionally illustrating books, as well as engineering pop-up books. As a full-time freelance illustrator and he has illustrated over 50 children's books.

Benner is delighted to write children's books and to continue the storytelling tradition of Gabbaluchie, a character created by her beloved grandfather, Zephyr Esteve. In addition to writing children's books, Cheryl shares her love for writing with school-age children.

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.