By Zach Compton
Contributing Writer
New Tazewell children’s author Candida Sullivan recently won two awards for her book “Zippy’s Club Journal” at the Red Letter Awards, a Tennessee based awards show that recognizes outstanding contributions in Christian media. The Red Letter Awards were hosted in Lebanon, Tennessee on September 21st where Sullivan received both their “Best Children’s Author” award for her book “Zippy’s Club Journal” and their “Ambassador for Christ” award for her work visiting schools and sharing her story and message with local children.
Sullivan is a survivor of Amniotic Band Syndrome, a rare medical condition where infants become entangled in certain fibers during pregnancy, and uses her books to celebrate overcoming her own difficulties and to demonstrate to children that they can overcome their own.
“When I was a little girl I tried to pray away my scars, but God showed me how to use them for good,” she said. “Now I write books about differences and challenges and go to schools to teach kids new perspectives on life’s hardships.”