NASHVILLE, Tenn., Mar. 31, 2014– Jill Hardie, best-selling author of “The Sparkle Box,“ was recently nominated for the 2014 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Award^®, for “The Sparkle Box,” released from Ideals Children’s Books.

Beautifully illustrated, “The Sparkle Box” tells the story of Sam and his parents using a popular holiday symbol, a Christmas gift box, to impart a spiritual truth for their family—that when we take care of those in need, we honor Jesus.

Following the success of the book, Hardie has now released “The Sparkle Egg,” helping parents and grandparents teach that Easter is about forgiveness as God’s gift to us through Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

“I am so honored that ‘The Sparkle Box’ has been nominated for the ECPA Christian Book Award®,” said Hardie.“This book is so precious to me, as it began with my own family’s tradition, and I hope that it continues to bless those who read it. I am thankful to those at the EPCA for this nomination and for recognizing the book’s value in helping families honor Jesus all year long.”

The Christian Book Awards®, established by ECPA in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry.

Winners will be announced at the ECPA Awards & Anniversary Banquet on opening night of the ECPA Leadership Summit April 28 in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Focus on the Family headquarters. Christian Book Award^® program finalists and winners receive recognition and support throughout multiple retail and media outlets.

“We are so pleased that ‘The Sparkle Box’ has received this nomination,” said Peggy Schaefer, publisher of Ideals Children’s Books. “It represents the excellent quality, creativity and heart that our authors put forth in every book, and we are so happy that Jill has received this well-deserved honor.”

Both “The Sparkle Box” and “The Sparkle Egg” include artist Christine Kornacki’s beautiful, realistic illustrations, which bring the books to life. Both are now available in bookstores nationwide and online at www.idealsbooks.com.

Ideals Children’s Books, a Guideposts company, publishes books for children that inspire and entertain—and teach a thing or two.Releasing 25 to 30 new children’s titles a year, primarily for ages two to eight, Ideals is a leader in picture books, activity books, board books, novelty and sound books. For more information on Ideals, visit http://www.idealsbooks.com/.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA)is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 200 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $1.4 billion. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building Networking, Information, and Advocacy opportunities within the industry and across multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: 480-966-3998, info@ecpa.org,http://www.ecpa.org.

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Note to Editors: To arrange an interview with Jill Hardie or to request a review copy of “The Sparkle Egg” or “The Sparkle Box,” please contact Melany Ethridge at 972.267.1111 or via e-mail at melany@alarryross.com