Author Mitali Perkins receives Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

Respected children’s author Mitali Perkins was the 2025 winner of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Award. She received the honor during an awards ceremony held late on day one of the annual LIWC Literature Festival at the museum in Mansfield.
Some of Perkins’ works include “Rickshaw Girl,” which was named a New York Public Library Best 100 Book for Children in the past 100 years. She also wrote the Top-10 American Library Association novel, “Bamboo People,” and South Asia Book Award winner, “Tiger Boy,” among a long list of others.
“This means so, so much to me,” said Perkins in her remarks after receiving the award.
The author was exposed at a young age to Wilder’s works when checking out books at a New York City library. She noted how the stories “opened a window into another world.”
Perkins also talked about things she had in common with the late Laura Ingalls Wilder, which helps her relate to Wilder. The list includes being a sister, traveler, daughter and a wife.
The award recipient also noted Wilder’s unique abilities to write about all of the emotions she experienced.
The 2024 LIWCL award-winner J.B. Cheaney made some remarks about Perkins before presenting her with the honor.
Vicki Johnston presented Rylee Hodges-Nelson with a certificate recognizing her as the winner of the Bookmark Contest.
During the event, Herbie Johnson helped pa’s fiddle play some music for those in attendance.
The Rev. Nicholas Inman, the Executive Director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum, was the master of ceremonies.
Refreshments were served after the event.
During both days of the event, more than 1,200 students and 17 schools heard from a large variety of children’s authors at the festival located inside the Ann Short Turner Community Center (ASTCC) in Mansfield.
Those attending also had the chance to purchases books and hear special presentations from the authors that included information on manuscripts, publishing and more.