On December 5, Greenwillow Books kicked off its yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2025 with a party at the HarperCollins offices in New York City. More than 50 authors and artists from the Greenwillow list were in attendance—among them Aliki, Donald Crews, Kevin Henkes, Erin Entrada Kelly, Brian Lies, Rosanne Parry, Lynne Rae Perkins, Brian Pinkney, Chris Raschka, Peter Sís, Nancy Tafuri, Megan Whalen Turner, and Paul O. Zelinsky—as well as Greenwillow founder Susan Hirschman and current publisher Virginia Duncan. The evening also included a showcase of original artwork from Greenwillow books past, present, and future. Here we’ve collected a selection of photographs from the festivities. All photos courtesy of HarperCollins Children’s Books.


Anniversary signage greeted party guests on their arrival.


Greenwillow founder Susan Hirschman signing the anniversary poster.


All of the Greenwillow authors and artists in attendance posed for a group photo.


Greenwillow VP and publisher Virginia Duncan with Caldecott Medalist, two-time Caldecott Honor artist, and two-time Newbery Honor winner Kevin Henkes, who has spent his entire career with Greenwillow.


Eve Rice (l.), whose books Ebbie and Mr. Brimble’s Hobby and Other Stories were both on Greenwillow’s first list, with Susan Hirschman.


The creative team behind Greenwillow Books: (from l.) associate art director Sylvie Le Floc’h, editorial assistant Shannah Harris, art director Paul Zakris, VP and publisher Virginia Duncan, executive editor Martha Mihalick, and executive managing editor Tim Smith.


Newbery Medalists Lynne Rae Perkins (Criss Cross) (l.) and Erin Entrada Kelly (Hello, Universe) checking out the food and dessert options.


(From l.): Aliki, whose A Secret for Grandmother’s Birthday by her husband Franz Brandenberg was on the first Greenwillow list, with Nina Crews and her father, two-time Caldecott Honor winner Donald Crews.


Party attendees had the chance to get up close and personal with rarely seen original artwork from throughout Greenwillow’s 50-year history.