Best-selling Bermudian book illustrator Sharon Wilson has been honoured by the prestigious American Library Association -- at her first attempt.

For `The Day Gogo Went to Vote' -- the story of a 100-year-old black South African determined to use her vote in the first free elections in 1994 -- has been chosen from among 5,000 contenders as a "Notable Children's Book''.

The ALA announcement paid tribute to Ms Wilson's "powerful full page pastels which capture the essence of this poignant story.'' Ms Wilson said: "It's nice to step out with a book which has been so well received.

"The book was a once in a lifetime experience -- it was one of the most important events of the 20th Century and I was very lucky.'' Ms Wilson, who trained as an artist although she turned to primary school teaching, did all the art work for South African writer Elinor Sisulu's book.

She was contacted "out of the blue'' by US publishers Little, Brown and Company, who had seen some of her note cards.

And Ms Wilson said: "I wasn't knowledgeable about children's publishing. To think about where the book might fall, I didn't know. But it was about a very special event and I really wanted to do it. I learned a lot.

"I don't think the book had any reviews which weren't boxed or starred which was really phenomenal in the world of children's publishing.'' The book is already in its third print run and is soon to be published in South Africa in six of the country's languages.

But it's not the only recognition of her work -- late last year the Smithsonian Institute in Washington nominated the book as a notable 1996 publication.

Wilson award And Ms Wilson has been invited to speak at a major international book convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in May.

Ms Wilson, who lives in Southampton with her daughter, has now taken a break from teaching -- and is hard at work on artwork for other books.

She is currently working on a book about black emancipation in the US following the Civil War from the point of view of a child for publishers Simon and Schuster, with another project to follow.

Ms Wilson said: "It's been pretty exciting watching things happen one after the other.

"You are surprised -- but you just say that's nice because you are into the next project. It's like jumping hurdles. You're always focused on the one in front of you.''