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Jim's embellished copyright page, in my cherished signed copy of Nine Animals in the Well.

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From Amy Flynn, editor of Jim's first book (and others):

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From Amy Flynn, editor of Jim's first book (and others):

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Jim's beautifully rendered dummy for THE CLOUDMAKERS winked like a diamond from the stack of thousands of submissions that I reviewed each year at Houghton Mifflin Children's Books.  It was 1995, and I was a young editor scouting for new creators. You can imagine how delighted I was to share James Rumford's original storytelling voice and gorgeous watercolors with my colleagues--and then with the many children (and adults) who experience all of his wonderful books!
Jim is a unique talent, a true artist whose work reveals a rich personal investment, a depth of care and meaning that resonates beyond the page. I continue to be astonished by Jim's boundless curiosity, his bold experimentation with art styles and book design, his quality of research and facility with languages--from Egyptian hieroglyphs to Cherokee to Arabic to Hawaiian--his passionate engagement with world cultures. I was fortunate to be able to work with Jim on eight more books for Houghton Mifflin. Reviewer's praised Jim's work: "engrossing," "lyrical, " "atmospheric," "beautifully crafted," "dazzling," "vibrant," "intriguing," "enlightening"--all this and more, for an artist who I am proud to have known and worked with.
My aloha to you, Jim,
Amy Thrall Flynn

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From Neal Porter, Vice President and Publisher Neal Porter Books/Holiday House

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From Neal Porter, Vice President and Publisher Neal Porter Books/Holiday House

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It was an honor, a privilege, and certainly a great pleasure to work with Jim Rumford on three picture books, beginning with Silent Music, published in 2008. I remember his telling me that the book had met some resistance from other editors; I knew I had to publish it as soon as I read it; this story about a boy who finds solace through calligraphy as the bombs fall around him in war-torn Iraq. The book went on to receive a Jane Addams Honor, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, and was translated into several languages. Jim is a true artist whether he's working with words or images--and a bold innovator who pushes himself into unfamiliar terrain with every book.  Our publishing relationship culminated with From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World, a book that reflected our shared interest in the power of print and the importance of the book as a physical object even as the world was moving, or thought it was moving, to digital media and e-books.
Congratulations, Jim, on receiving Children's Literature Hawaii's  first Hall of Fame award.  I cannot think of a more worthy recipient or more appropriate honor.

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From Tammy Yee, author/illustrator friend :

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From Tammy Yee, author/illustrator friend :

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Perhaps it's the bookmaker in him. Or the wordsmith. Or the artist. Or the culmination of all three that makes James Rumford a master storyteller. Shaped by his experiences abroad as a Peace Corps volunteer, his work transcends both time and culture. However, it's James, the boy with boundless curiosity,  who captivates us with his words and pictures and makes his work so compelling. From his booming voice to his signature hat, James is the real deal. His warmth, generosity, and integrity inspire is all to remain true to our own stories. Congratulations, James, on your lifetime achievement award.

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From Scott Goto, author/illustrator friend :

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From Scott Goto, author/illustrator friend :

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Jim has always been an incredibly diverse storyteller. I've always been impressed at how his books take the reader on different journeys across the world, as well as travel back and forth through time and history. And his style of illustration is as varied as the environments where each story takes place. Congratulations to Jim  on being the first inductee into Children's Literature Hawaii's Hall of Fame, an honor he truly deserves.

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I treasure a book you gave me one day, Jim. Last Tuesday was fashioned from four 4" slips of paper, folded in half, fastened by a single staple. A  child's simple drawing shows two high, rectangular buildings, and airplane smashing into one. Below, a tiny mother and daughter wait for daddy to come down from his office.  But he doesn't.
The book ends with the girl writing her name: "mim-ra-ya-mim, Maryam."
You draw. You  write. Children see, read and feel--compassion and oneness with others from everywhere else. Your books are all treasures, and so is the example you set. James, be proud of your work and your life!

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From Lynne Wikoff, emeritus Regional Advisor, SCBWI- Hawaii

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From Lynne Wikoff, emeritus Regional Advisor, SCBWI- Hawaii

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Jim's skill at engaging young readers in a variety of fascinating stories is unquestioned. What people may not know is that Jim also shares his expertise with, provides generous support to, and talks story with the Hawaii children's writers and illustrators community, both groups and with many of us individually--me included. We all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.
Lynne Wikoff

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I had the pleasure of working with Jim at the Mission Houses Museum in the mid 1990s. Jim, Harriet Oberhaus, and I were were among the interpretive guides at the Museum, and we enjoyed each other's company, professionally and socially. Jim brought tremendous knowledge and skill to his work, and those of us who had the good fortune of working with him were inspired by his giftedness. I recall hearing about his first children's book project in my conversations with Harriet, and I was thrilled when it came to fruition. Although I moved away from Hawaii, I kept in touch with Jim and had regular contact with Harriet who always gave me updates on Jim's latest endeavor. Now, all these years later, I am delighted to extend my good to Jim as he is being into the Children's Literature Hall of Fame.  Congratulations, Jim, on a legacy of creativity and achievement.
Sincerely,
John Forand,
Morris Plains, New Jersey

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From Chauni Haslet, Seattle  bookstore owner

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From Chauni Haslet, Seattle  bookstore owner

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James Rumford is one of the most talented authors and illustrators of children's books and beyond. His books combine history, art, legends, facts, humor, curiosity, and intelligence.  His illustrations match his stories to perfection.
Love from Chauni (and Bill) Haslet

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From Leslie Lang, longtime friend and writer:

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From Leslie Lang, longtime friend and writer:

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Congratulations, Jim! It's very well deserved. I truly enjoyed getting to see some of your books come about as you created the stories and art over the years. You do amazing work that has changed children's lives (I've heard some of the stories) and enriched the rest of us. It doesn't get much better than that. I can't wait to see what comes next. Congrats again. Leslie Lang
P.S. My daughter /your goddaughter taught herself to write these hieroglyphs from your book Seeker of Knowledge when she was 6. I believe it says "Mama," "Papa," and "Emma Rose." I remember her saying, "I'm getting really good at the "A."

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Jim with writers and illustrators from SCBWI-Hawai‘i: Vera Arita, Scott Goto, Chris Carvalho, Tammy Yee, & Sue Cowing.   SHAKA!

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Jim with writers and illustrators from SCBWI-Hawai‘i: Vera Arita, Scott Goto, Chris Carvalho, Tammy Yee, & Sue Cowing.   SHAKA!

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Congratulations, Jim, on this award that recognizes your decades of creating fine books about and for the world. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had over the years to watch your ideas turn into adventurous, unique and beautiful books,the stories told in the pictures inseparable from those in the words.You've been a great friend of my imagination,too,encouraging whatever projects I'm working on and,calling on your deep sense of what makes a story ring true,serving as my go-to tuning fork. Every writer should have a friend like you!
Aloha, Sue

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I have had the honor and pleasure of being on several panels with Jim Rumford. In addition to being a talented writer and artist, he is also a very engaging speaker, easily spinning one story after another.
Jim has a gift for languages, which reminds me of one of my favorite stories that he told at one conference:
One of his books didn't do as well in the United  States as it did in Brazil.  So armed with a Portuguese dictionary, Jim undertook a translation. He was nervous and worried would be full of obvious errors. He waited for a response, worried that his translation would be laughed at.  When the response finally came, they informed Jim that his Portuguese translation was very good, in fact it was better than his English version!

I'm so happy that Jim is receiving this long overdue recognition. Congratulations!

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Aloha Jim,
Congratulations on your Hall of Fame Award! I have been a fan of your work since I read When Silver Needles Swam, long before I became a librarian.  Now, having worked with you and listened  to all of your wonderful stories, especially those about Harriet, I can think of no one more deserving of this honor, You  continue to inspire me to help others achieve their goals and to always remember who I am.  Congratulations Jim!
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Kylie Flood

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From Elizabeth O'Grady and Jeff Dwyer, agents:

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From Elizabeth O'Grady and Jeff Dwyer, agents:

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When James Rumford contacted us in June 2004, we were intrigued by an inquiry from an author/artist living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We live on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, so we have a fondness for islanders. Our long-distance introduction began an association that has endured for many years.
Already, without agency representation, Jim had established himself as an author/illustrator of children's books. Could we enhance his career? We tried. Each project Jim sent us was different. His work focuses on unique subjects based in different parts of the world. His experience in the Peace Corps and knowledge of different cultures drives many of his storylines and dictates the design and illustrations of each book.
Always, he seemed to choose an artistic medium that he felt worked best for his concept of the story. The medium might be a new technique that he had never used previously. No artistic challenge seemed to deter his overall vision for a specific book. Continually, he delivered strikingly beautiful artwork combined with magical prose for us to sell to publishers.
We were fortunate to have sold several of Jim's projects to a wide selection of publishers. We have had a rewarding relationship with James Rumford the renaissance man, writer and artist, and we've been honored to be associated with the books that he's created. Thank you for recognizing him and his work for this award.
Elizabeth O'Grady & Jeff Dwyer - Dwyer & O'Grady, Inc.

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Before 1998 I had no idea who Jim Rumford was. But then, when he was working on "When Silver Needles Swam," he called me regarding a quote from King Kalakaua I had used in an article for HONOLULU Magazine. For Silver Needles he used a bit of that quote for the story's final line: "Always remember who you are." He sent me an inscribed copy of Silver Needles and a note of thanks. We still had never met in person. Perhaps a year later Jim invited me to his home in Manoa one late afternoon for tea. We would meet at last. I brought along my watercolorist daughter, Tamara Moan. After pleasantries standing in his vintage living room he said something to the effect of "We can sit here and I can make tea, or would you like to sit in the kitchen and have a glass of wine? " Of course we accepted. After a few sips of a very good white, he declared, "Why not stay for dinner?" Of course we said yes, again.  Jim commenced opening many cupboards, concocting an impromptu spaghetti.  All the while we conversed on matters of writing, art, and whether we thought black olives would be good in the sauce.  Carol arrived home from work to a kitchen full of strangers, opened her eyes just a little extra wide, and joined us for more wine and spaghetti.
So began a friendship now decades long, a joy of hilarity and passion and serious thought, and quite a few more glasses of wine.
Me ku‘u aloha,
Sally-Jo Keala-o-Anuenue Bowman

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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From Caroline Lee, Library Media Specialist, Honouliuli Middle School

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From Caroline Lee, Library Media Specialist, Honouliuli Middle School

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Congratulations to Mr. Rumford for receiving the first Hall of Fame Award from Children's Literature Hawaii in 2021. Because of his generosity and extraordinary talent for history, art, language, and storytelling, he is an invaluable part of our school library literacy program. During the height of the pandemic, I asked Mr. Rumford to present at a school with limited resources and where students do not normally have the opportunity to experience such a distinguished author,  He visited us virtually, without hesitation, reading aloud his book, RAIN SCHOOL, to the children and staff of Waipahu Intermediate. At the end of his read-aloud, he brought back how it was important to have hope during these difficult times. "Look at us here, just like the children of Chad, we too lost our  physical space for learning, but our connection to each other is what makes a school."  He brought everyone to tears, including the adults.  Mr. Rumford is a Hawaii treasure and I sincerely hope that more children and adults discover his  stories, which illuminate his views of humanity, where it is filled with compassion and curiosity about our diverse world.

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Jim Rumford deserves high praise for his ability to share stories with the enthusiasm and engagement with which he pursues every aspect of his life. What makes him delightful in person--his curiosity and smarts and humor--makes his books and pictures irresistible for readers of any age. Congratulations, Hall of Famer!

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From Kate O'Sullivan, Senior Executive Editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers:

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From Kate O'Sullivan, Senior Executive Editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers:

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Congrats on this special and deserved honor, Jim! In a world where children's books can sometimes be cooky-cutter same, your inspired approaches to each book's subject always shine and feel singular. It's been an honor to be in your orbit.

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Bruce Hale and Jim

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When I first met Jim through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, I have to confess I was jealous. I'd already been trying to get published by Mainland publishers for five years and had collected nothing but rejection letters. Jim, on the other hand, got published on his first try. He just sent Houghton Mifflin a story and a letter that read something like, "I like your books and I hope you like mine."
At first I thought Jim was just incredibly lucky, something like the Fool in the Tarot who steps blindly off the cliff and lands on a feather bed. But as I got to know him, I realized that something else was at work in Jim's success. Passion. A true lover of art and stories, he was able to combine the words and pictures in a way that communicated heart. No wonder publishers responded as they did. Jim's high artistic standards, his curiosity about other cultures, and his devotion to telling stories from outside the mainstream all combined to give him a voice as distinctive as the leather hat he wore around town. It's so fitting that CLH is paying him tribute today. Jim  is one of a kind, and I'm proud to call him my friend.

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From Joseph Stanton, poet, art historian, and noted picture-book scholar:

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From Joseph Stanton, poet, art historian, and noted picture-book scholar:

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Congratulations to James Rumford on his selection as the first inductee to Children's Literature Hawai‘i's Hall of Fame. As one of America's greatest picture-book makers, he is deserving of all the awards. He is the best of the best!

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From Puakea Nogelmeier, Professor of Hawaiian at UH Manoa:

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From Puakea Nogelmeier, Professor of Hawaiian at UH Manoa:

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I'm delighted to see James honored, and happy to add to the posting of notes to James Rumford, known to me as Kauhua:
E Kauhua ē,
Haʻaheo wale nā hua manomano o kāu hana maiau ma ka hoʻokino ʻana i nā moʻolelo a me kou mīkololohua o ka haʻi moʻolelo ʻana. Lauele ka manaʻo, a hahai loa aku ka hoihoi. Palena ʻole koʻu mahalo i kou makakū, kō akamai, kō loea, a kō kahiau hoʻi ma ke ao nei. Me ke aloha nō, Puakea Nogelmeier