Thank you to the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award committee for this incredible honor.

If I were to speak truthfully, I would have to say that I’ve already received the greatest honor and privilege when I was first given the opportunity to share the story of Josephine through illustrations of my own.

Josephine is one of my heroes and had an influence on me long before working on the book. Josephine represents possibilities. She reminds us that where we come from doesn’t have to determine where we can go.

So I must also thank the spirit of Josephine Baker for her guidance.

Thank you, Patricia Hruby Powell, for inspiring a new generation by telling Josephine’s story.

Thank you Steven Malk, my friend and agent who helped place me in a position where I could make my dreams come true.

Thank you to Chronicle Books for being a responsible publisher and for taking risks and for telling stories that represent all of us.

Oh! And thank you and happy birthday to my boyfriend John who’s in the audience.

Thank you.

For more on the 2014 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, click on the tag BGHB14.