By Helen OxenburyI'd like to start by thanking the Boston Globe, the Horn Book, and the award judges for choosing Big Momma Makes the World for this wonderful prize. It is such an honor. I'd also like to thank my two publishers, Walker Books in England and Candlewick Press here...

The two oldest forms of storytelling — words and images — meet and merge in picture books. A well-placed word can leave you elated or it can break your heart. Pictures can evoke peals of laughter or cries of outrage. A fundamental, some would argue inherent, understanding of both of...