United States, 23rd Apr 2025, -
Metrognome, a children’s book by Jana Cruz, has been named the recipient of three literary honors: the 2025 BREW Seal of Excellence from The Chrysalis BREW Project, the 2025 Global Spines Award for Picture Book Innovation, and the 2025 Wordscape Wonders Award for Narrative Craft.
The Chrysalis BREW Project awarded the book its BREW Seal of Excellence for meeting its standard of works that “inspire, innovate, and impact,” stating that the book is “a gentle push toward possibility, delivered with warmth, wit, and just the right amount of wonder.”
The Global Spines Award recognized the book’s unique blend of fiction and historical references, noting it “weaves a clever origin story around the real-life invention of the metronome, blending historical figures with whimsical storytelling in a way that’s both educational and delightful.”
The Wordscape Wonders Award reviewer praised the book’s tone and message, writing that “Cora’s journey isn’t loud, but it’s luminous. She listens, she learns, and she becomes—without ever needing to conquer anything but doubt.”
About the Author
Jana Cruz lives in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Her work reflects an ongoing interest in creating stories for children that encourage exploration and reflection.
About the Book
Metrognome follows a young garden gnome named Cora who leaves her assigned place in search of something more. The story introduces themes of curiosity, identity, and music, incorporating historical references to composer Ludwig van Beethoven and inventor Johann Maelzel. The book includes a glossary of musical terms for educational use. It can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.
