Children's author and illustrator Brian Pinkney at the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition. The Department of Education Central Headquarters in Manhattan was the backdrop for the citywide awards ceremony for the winners of the annual Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition.

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Deputy Chancellor Carmen Farina joined parents, teachers and principals in congratulating the winners of this year's awards competition.

Kamini Ramiakhan, a fifth grade student at P.S. 65 in Ozone Park, submitted her book Have Fun at the Beach to the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition and it was one of two books selected from thousands submitted in the competition. Accompanying her at the awards gala was her teacher Joanne Karol, Principal Rita Olino and Assistant Principal Beth Longo.

Kamini explained that her book was inspired by the memories of her family visits to Rockaway Beach each summer.

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation sponsors the annual creative writing and illustrating competition for more than a million students in the New York City public school system.

Deputy Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina at the Keats Bookmaking Competition. Photos Dr. Dan Miller