2025 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist

May 16, 2025•2 min read

We’re thrilled to share that Miss Dorothy’s Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By has been named a finalist in two categories in the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards:

Children’s Picture Book (Non-Fiction) (All Ages)
Children’s Picture Book #OwnVoices

This recognition is especially meaningful because the Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international awards program for indie authors and publishers. Now in its 19th year, the awards were established to honor the most exceptional independently published books from around the world.

A Powerful Message for Today’s Children

Written as a tribute to centenarian Dorothy Witherspoon, Miss Dorothy’s Garden uses a timeless, heartfelt story to introduce young readers to nine “BEE Attitudes”—principles like BEE Peaceful, BEE Bold, and BEE Generous—that build emotional intelligence and compassion.

The book’s inclusion in these two categories highlights both its creative storytelling and the authenticity of its voice. With a Black author and a real-life Black heroine at its center, Miss Dorothy’s Garden is being celebrated for its contribution to diverse children's literature.

A Growing Movement of Kindness

This recognition follows Miss Dorothy’s Garden being named a 2024 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist and complements our broader mission to help children grow in character and resilience through our BEE Buddy programs.

From San Francisco to Alexandra Township, South Africa, our goal is to equip children and families to sow kindness in their homes, schools, and communities—just like Miss Dorothy and her BEE helpers.

What’s Next?

We’re expecting our finalist medals and stickers in just a few weeks and can’t wait to celebrate this moment with the community that made it all possible. Your support—from donations and sponsorships to book purchases and volunteer hours—has planted seeds that are now blooming into global impact.

Thank you for being a part of this story.

🧡 Explore the book and programs
📘 Order your copy of Miss Dorothy's Garden here
🎖️ See the full list of finalists at indiebookawards.com

Gwendolyn Faye

Gwendolyn Faye is a poet, artist, and entrepreneur dedicated to building brands for social impact. She brings more than 40 years of experience to her role as the author of her first children's book, "Miss Dorothy’s Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By." Inspired by her mother-in-law, Dorothy Witherspoon's century of service, Gwendolyn created the Miss Dorothy’s Garden Legacy Project to empower children around the world to sow kindness in themselves and others to transform communities.

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