The New York Times honored a Cobb County artist in its "Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2016" competition.
The award was for illustrations by R. Gregory Christie, of Mableton, in "Freedom in Congo Square" by Carole Boston Weatherford.
The book chronicles 19th-century slaves in New Orleans counting down the week until Sunday when they could congregate in Congo Square to socialize and play music.
The reviewer Maria Russo said this about the work: "Christie's art is, as always, breathtaking, uniting folk art and sleek modern gestures with a graceful dynamism."
The newspaper has honored Christie twice before, according to the website for his business GAS-Art Gifts, and has been the recipient of several other awards.
The business, which is inside the North DeKalb Mall, sells books along with prints and hosts classes and parties.
Russo's original take on the book in February said: "This book arrives in time for Black History Month like a wonderful, powerful gift. It communicates all at once suffering and humanity, the injustice of slavery and the strength and achievements of enslaved people."
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