Award Winners and Finalists

El Tanquecito and El propósito de Estrella, translated by Gabriella Aldeman awarded medal in International Latino Book Awards

Elva Resa Books Translated by Gabriella Aldeman Awarded ILBA Medals

Two books published by Elva Resa Publishing, both translated by Gabriella Aldeman, were awarded medals in the International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) at an October 25, 2025, awards ceremony in Oceanside, California. El Tanquecito (Weber/Harris), translated by Aldeman in rhyme, won the Gold for Best Children’s Picture Book Translation: English to Spanish. El propósito de Estrella: Una misión militar (Betcher/Schmidt), won the Silver for Best Book About Military Life.

by Karen Pavlicin
PHOTO CAPTION: Author Amanda Huffman (A Girl's Guide to Military Service), Publisher Karen Pavlicin (Elva Resa Publishing), Publisher JuLee Brand (W. Brand Publishing), and Author Julie Tully (Dispatches from a Cowgirl) celebrate together the publishers receiving GOLD IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards at a May 5, 2023 ceremony in Coronado Island, California. This award honors excellence in editorial and design by independent publishers. Military-connected books from both publishers are available through Military Family Books distribution.

Two Military-Friendly Publishers Win Top Awards, Expand Collaboration

Elva Resa Publishing and W. Brand Publishing, two military-friendly independent publishers, each won a prestigious national award for excellence in publishing, recognized by their trade association, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards at a May 5 ceremony. Elva Resa won gold for A Girl’s Guide to Military Service by Air Force veteran and Space Force military spouse Amanda Huffman. W. Brand Publishing won gold for Dispatches from the Cowgirl by Navy foreign area officer spouse Julie Tully. Books from both publishers are available from Military Family Books distribution.

by Karen Pavlicin
Open When by Lizann Lightfoot (Elva Resa) Wins Midwest Book Awards Gold

Open When Wins Midwest Book Award Gold

Midwest Book Awards selected Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses by Lizann Lightfoot (Elva Resa Publishing) as the Gold winner for best Nonfiction Family/Parenting book of the year. Open When is a collection of encouraging, informative letters for military spouses to read when facing specific events or challenges of military life. The Midwest Book Awards celebrate exceptional, impactful books published by Midwest independent publishers, recognizing creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and a book’s unique contribution to its subject area.

by Karen Pavlicin

Seasons of My Military Student Wins Gold at 2019 Benjamin Franklin Awards

Seasons of My Military Student: Practical Ideas for Parents and Teachers won Gold in the education category at the 2019 IBPA Benjamin Franklin AwardsTM. Recognizing excellence and innovation in publishing, the award is regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. Elva Resa’s publisher, Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito, and senior editor, Terri Barnes, attended the gala in Chicago to accept the award.

by Karen Pavlicin
Seasons of My Military Student|Seasons of My Military Student

IBPA Names Seasons of My Military Student a Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist

Seasons of My Military Student: Practical Ideas for Parents and Teachers has been named a finalist in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ program. The Benjamin Franklin Award™ for excellence in book publishing is regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. Seasons of My Military Student is a user-friendly guide for parents and educators, offering strategies and tools for supporting military-connected students as they transition from school to school.

by Karen Pavlicin
Elva Resa Publishing