“Downs’ musical language with musical terms sprinkled throughout is perfectly matched to the story.” -Ann Whitford Paul, on THE COLORS OF THE HARP, the 2023 SCBWI Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript WINNER - 2023 SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul “Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript”- Nonfiction AwardFINALIST- 2024 Austin SCBWI “Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award”, nominated by literary agent Trinica Sampson-Vera of New Leaf LiteraryMENTEE- 2023 Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature On-on-One Conference for middle-grade MENTEE- 2022 Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature On-on-One Conference for picture booksHONORABLE MENTION- 2023 50 Precious Words ContestHONORABLE MENTION- 2022 Mindy Weiss's Picture Book Party Contests