The big day! The day we came all the way over from New Zealand for. We had been nervous about it hoping that the trip would have been worth the effort and expense.

However as we sat in a seminar prior to the award ceremony learning about making our content go further, getting so much out of the presentation, we knew that this was exactly where we needed to be. The seminar inspired us to think of the project in terms of 'thought leadership' - sharing our passion. The book is a fantastic start to this but perhaps not the only way to change perceptions and give hope to families.

The organisers and founders of the IPPY Awards were so lovely and greeted us with a big hello saying, "Yay the Kiwis are here!" We sat at a table with some fellow authors and became quick friends. There was a wonderful spirit in the room filled with proud authors clutching their books, none prouder than us.

The 19th Independent Publisher's Award announcements began with the Outstanding Books of the Year. Accepting the award and seeing the entire room of top authors applaud the Super Power Baby Project was pretty incredible. Following this we were approached throughout the evening by people wanting to see the book. Everybody LOVED it and many shared their connection to, and respect for, super power people in their lives. Business cards, dreams and hugs were shared throughout the evening.

The event was beyond what we could have hoped for in terms of celebration, collaboration and becoming part of an ever growing community. We are so glad we were able to make it. We don't know where the Super Power Baby Project is going next, but we know that this award and event has opened our eyes and connected us with a world of opportunity to continue what was started in New Zealand: to celebrate diversity, give hope to families, change the language and help people to see the beauty in others. 

The Timaru Herald helped to celebrate #NZBookMonthMay by running this article on their front page. View article on Stuff>Entertainment>Books

A book by a Timaru couple about changing the way people think has been judged the world's best independently published book for 2015.

The Super Power Baby Project book beat out 6000 entries to win the Independent Spirit outstanding book of the year award, which is like the Oscars for independent books.

The Independent Publishers Book Awards are the world's largest book awards and there were entries from 36 countries this year.

The book's collaborators, Sam and Rachel Callander, said it was a tribute to their late daughter, Evie Amore Callander.

"I feel really privileged I got to be her mother and that we were open to the lessons she taught us. This book is testament to her character and spirit."

Rachel is a photographer, and her studio is dotted with framed pictures of a lot of the "wonderful" children who feature in the book, including Evie.

The day it was announced the book had won was also Rachel's birthday and it was the first thing she heard in the morning.

"It was an awesome birthday present."

Sam was overwhelmed to find out that they had not only won the outstanding book of the year award, but that the book had been singled out in the international press release as a "pioneering effort".

"To think that something that might help start people across the world change the way they think about people with disabilities started in Timaru is unreal."

The Super Power Baby Project has won the Outstanding Book of the Year Award for Independent Spirit in the international 2015 Independent Publishers Book Awards.

The Outstanding Books of the Year awards recognise the work of publishers who exhibit the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change, not only to the world of publishing, but to our society. The book projects our judges found the most heartfelt, unique, outspoken and experimental among almost 6,000 entries.

Author and photographer Rachel Callander said "the Independent Spirit Award recognises and celebrates the amazing children presented in the book who have so  much to teach us. We're totally blown-away"
 
The  Independent Publishers Book Awards are the world's largest book awards and this year attracted entries from 36 countries. Rachel said that winning the prestigious award is the strongest possible endorsement of the book and the many people who helped to bring it to life. 

The award winners were announced via email and the awards will be presented on 27 May 2015 in New York City. 

View full press release.