Awards
2019 Book of the Year Award
Courageous Gilbert The Groundhog, a 2019 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kid's Storybooks on Bullying category
Creative Child Magazine Awards has honored Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog the 2019 Book of the Year Award for Kids Storybooks on Bullying category. Based on the scores and comments by over 60 moms, educators and early education professionals a book is chosen that receives the highest review.
Purple Dragonfly Book Award First Place
In 2009, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards were conceived with children in mind. Not only do we want to recognize and honor accomplished authors in the field of children's literature, but we also want to highlight up-and-coming, newly published authors, and younger published writers. Divided into 55 distinct subject categories, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are geared toward stories that appeal to children of all ages. We are looking for books that are original, innovative and creative in both content and design. A Purple Dragonfly Book Awards seal tells parents, grandparents, educators, and caregivers that they are giving children the very best in reading excellence. Our judges are industry experts with specific knowledge about the categories over which they preside. Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Book Award confers credibility upon the winner and gives published authors the recognition they deserve.
Beverly Hills Book Award
Beverly Hills is synonymous with achievement, a place where one can find the "best of the best", and a symbol of high status. Working in the publishing industry for many years ourselves we have certainly heard our colleagues discuss the ever-present challenges of promoting books. So, we decided to celebrate the physical book in print. Books are a vital component of worldwide culture- they touch all aspects of life. As such we value each detail of what makes a great book and meaningful reading experience. This contest regards all of the factors that demonstrate outstanding presentation in addition to excellent writing. From cover-to-cover and each facet of a titles interior design, typography, promotional text, author info, etc... the Beverly Hills Book Awards® rewards works of superior quality. We accept fiction and non-fiction books in a wide range of topics and categories including mystery, romance, business, self-help, memoirs, inspiration, and many more.
CIPA EVVY Book Awards Finalist
The Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA EVVY's) is one of the longest-running book award competitions of the Indie publishing scene, running for nearly 25 years. The CIPA EVVY's receive entries from all over the world. The judging is tough--the way a book competition should be. Judges are selected through CIPA's judging qualification process and the entries are reviewed and scored according to established minimum criteria. Awards in each category are based on highest scores set for each award level.
2017 The Eric Hoffer Award Finalist
The Eric Hoffer Award Honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its inception, the Hoffer has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses. The Eric Hoffer Award was founded at the start of the 21st century to honor freethinking writers and independent books of exceptional merit.
2017 da Vinci Eye Finalist
Each year, the Eric Hoffer Award presents the da Vinci Eye to books with superior cover artwork. Cover art is judged on both content and style. The da Vinci Eye is given in honor of the historic artist, scientist, and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. This is an additional distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella.Montaigne Medal Finalist 2017
Each year, the Eric Hoffer Award presents the Montaigne Medal to the most thought-provoking books. These are books that either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought. The Montaigne Medal is given in honor of the great French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who influenced people such as William Shakespeare, René Descartes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Eric Hoffer. This is an additional distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella.
The Independent Press Award recognized Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog, by Regina E. McCarthy in the category of Childrens: Fiction, as a distinguished favorite.
The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall presentation and excellence.
Finalist in the Children's/Juvenile Fiction Category of the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA)
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books in over 70 different categories, for the year, and is presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group.
Silver Medalist in The Nautilus Awards - Better Books for a Better World
Now completing its 19th year, Nautilus Book Awards recognizes books that transcend barriers of culture, gender, race, and class, and promote conscious living & green values, spiritual growth, wellness & vitality, and positive social change. Last year, Nautilus received entries from 36 States of USA, and from 12 other nations. Dedicated to excellence and high standards of both message and presentation, the Nautilus program celebrates books that inspire and connect our lives as individuals, communities and global citizens.
Gold Medal Winner in the "Children - Grade K-3rd" category for the 2016 International Book Award Contest
"Readers' Favorite is proud to announce that "Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog" by Regina E. McCarthy is a Gold Medal Winner in the Children - Grade K-3rd category in our 2016 International Book Award Contest."
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Books in the Category of Children's Interest
Each year, for the past 32 years, NABE, The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs has honored some of the finest books published by our members. Pinnacle Awards are based on book content, quality, writing style, presentation, and cover design. All of these elements are taken into consideration when the selections are made.
Winner of the Mom's Choice Award
"Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog is an essential tool for parents, educators, child and family therapists, and other caregivers of children. It is to be read time and again, and the techniques are to be put into practice. The breathing technique will help calm the nervous system, oxygenate the brain, and create a safe feeling in the body. Once the body feels safe, the whole brain can fully engage to respond in a healthy manner to situations instead of impulsively react." Read the full description, here.
Book Reviews
Readers’ Favorite Review
Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog by Regina E. McCarthy is an adorable storybook for children. Gilbert had many interests. He was a great collector of toy cars, action figures, and lots of rocks, and he also enjoyed listening to music. There were many things Gilbert didn’t like – he did not like standing up in front of the class, he didn’t like being made fun of when he sang, and he didn’t like finding someone to sit with him for lunch. One day, while leaving school upset, he climbs an old oak tree. Readers see a friendship bond being developed between Gilbert and the old oak tree. The book conveys an excellent message to young readers and tells them the importance of deep breathing and that it is okay to express their feelings and emotions instead of hiding them.
To read the full review check out the PDF, here: Readers Favorite Book Review of Courageous Gilbert
Kirkus Review
There’s plenty of material available out there for kids about dealing with bullies, but this title goes beyond that particular situation to offer a guide to handling uncontrollable feelings by breathing, feeling, and practicing. Such guidance offers young and middle-grade readers a fantastic resource for learning how to cope with their problems at school or at home.
Reader’s Favorite – 5 Star Review
“The concept shared by the author is excellent as it helps build confidence in children. The illustrations are bright and lively and give a good pace and movement to the scenes and the story. The breathing techniques mentioned in the book can be practiced to ease tension and anxiety, and will help children release their emotions and fears instead of holding them inside. It’s an excellent book for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries, and can also be used for bedtime story-telling. Therapists, counselors, and educators can use the techniques in the book while working with kids. The book also speaks about the importance of mental health and the benefits of deep breathing.”
The Children’s Book Review
“Regina E. McCarthy’s experience as a Holistic Psychotherapist shines through in this fictitious story that is designed to educate children in a safe and enjoyable way about navigating emotions and standing up to bullies.
Anyone, ages 5 and up, that has trouble with emotions or that is experiencing bullying will feel empowered by Gilbert.Through his experiences they will be able to see themselves and hopefully begin their own path to self-confidence.”
News Stories/Media Mentions
Local Author Helps Kids Find Voice, Courage to Stand Up to Bullies
October is national bullying prevention month, and one local author wants to help children of all ages find their voice and the courage to stand up to bullying.
Author and holistic psychotherapist Regina E. McCarthy was inspired by her own experiences growing up when she wrote “Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog.”
“I’d say that Gilbert is pretty much me,” McCarthy said. “As a kid, I had a hard time in fourth grade giving my book report to the class. I was certainly bullied and making friends was hard.”
Read the full story by clicking here.
“You and Me in the Morning” on WCIU
Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog’s first television appearance!! Thanks Jinnie for bringing Gilbert to “You and Me in the Morning” on WCIU this mornin
And for the beautiful description of Courageous Gilbert as a tool for identifying Trauma and releasing Shock for children and adults.
Daily Herald – Sleepy Hollow resident integrates deep breathing, therapy techniques into children’s book
Regina McCarthy didn’t set out to write a children’s book.
As a trained holistic psychotherapist, McCarthy, 54, has spent her career in the social work field, helping people of all ages heal and work through tragedy. In the early 2000s, she opened her own practice, Blue Stone Healing Center in Elgin, where she blends traditional and innovative methods that focus on her clients’ mind, body, emotions and spirit.
For years, McCarthy’s husband would tell her, “You’ve got a story in you.” But the Sleepy Hollow resident never truly considered becoming an author until she woke up in the middle of the night with an idea.
“I’ve never had that happen to me before,” McCarthy said. “So I got up, got my laptop and started writing. I wrote all night long. I didn’t have the details. I just had the idea for the story.”