Book contest winners works now at Westfield Washington Library

Winners of the 2025 Children’s Book Writing Contest now have their works displayed at Westfield Washington Library.

The contest, sponsored by the Westfield Library Foundation in April, was open to youth, teens and adults in Westfield. The theme was “A Night at the Library.” The winning authors autographed their now-published books Sept. 20 and placed them for display at the library. The books are available for checkout.

Karen Reist, left, and Erin Downey, Westfield Library Foundation executive director, at a shelving ceremony at Westfield Washington Library. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Library Foundation)

Westfield resident and former preschool teacher Karen Reist won first-place in the Adult Category with her book, “Psst! William Bret, Over Here!” It is her first published book.

“It’s so exciting,” Reist stated. “I have always loved children’s literature, and the excitement young readers feel when they discover new characters. In my story, I pulled in characters from some of the most beloved children’s classics. For readers who already know them, I hope it brings back special memories of when they first met those characters. For younger readers, I hope it sparks curiosity to go find those books and fall in love with the characters themselves.”

First place in the teen category was Ainsley Hensel with her book, “The Reading Harbor.” In the children’s category, the first-place winner was Anna Rabadi with her book, “A Night at the New Library.”

Representatives from the Westfield Library Foundation said the shelving event is a way to share local talent through literature.

“This ceremony is more than just adding books to the shelves,” stated Erin Downey, executive director of the Westfield Library Foundation. “It’s about celebrating the imagination and talent of our neighbors — from children to adults — and showing that stories created right here in Westfield can inspire generations.”

Additional winners in the adult category are “Raccoon Raucous” written by Samuel and Mindi Glenn in second place and “A Night in the Library” written by Maggie Hoover in third place.

In the teen category, second and third place winners were “What Happens at Night When the Library is Closed” by Veronica Amaya and “Rolling Through the Library” by Kinleigh Bounds, respectively.

In the children’s category, second place was “A Magical Night at the Library” by London Reichel. Third place was “The Library Never Sleeps” by Cole McCrory.