UA Little Rock Alum Wins Will Rogers Medallion Award for Children’s Book

A children’s picture book inspired by a father’s artwork and a daughter’s passion for storytelling has brought national recognition to University of Arkansas at Little Rock alumna Susan Polk Van Dusen.

Van Dusen’s self-published book, Our Friend The Cowboy: A Wild West Hero, won a Will Rogers Medallion Award in the Western Nonfiction-Young Readers/Illustrated category. This award celebrates outstanding Western literature and media, highlighting works that reflect the spirit of the American West. Each year, judges review entries in over 30 categories, looking for literary merit, authenticity, and contributions to Western storytelling.

For Van Dusen, this award means more than just literary recognition. It honors a personal project that keeps her father’s artistic legacy alive and introduces young readers to original art and its stories.

“My belief is that even the youngest child can appreciate the beauty of original art,” said Van Dusen, who resides in Sherwood. “I hope that this book, and the entire series, will inspire art lovers and budding artists of all ages, as well as spark interest in each book’s specific topic.”

Unlike most picture-book authors, Van Dusen doesn’t begin her books with words, but with images. She’s inspired by the artwork of her late father, John S. Polk, a longtime Arkansas artist and educator who spent more than 30 years in the Hot Springs School District. He worked mainly in watercolor, graphite, and oil, creating an extensive collection that Van Dusen now shares with readers through her children’s books. 

Our Friend The Cowboy is the second book in the Art and Verse series, featuring Polk’s artwork of the American West accompanied by Van Dusen’s simple rhyming verses. She chose the cowboy theme because her father had created numerous paintings depicting cowboys caring for horses, roping cattle, and working the land — subjects she believed would capture children’s imaginations while teaching them about the important roles of cowboys.

As a self-published author, Van Dusen manages every aspect of creating her books, and winning the Will Rogers Medallion Award is especially meaningful because it helps introduce her work to new audiences.

“When you self-publish a book, you are responsible for everything from writing and design to social media and marketing,” Van Dusen said. “Winning an award can be a great way to help potential readers find your book and to get the word out to a broader audience.”

Van Dusen says UA Little Rock’s Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing program gave her the confidence to try new genres and become a self-published author. She discovered a love for creative nonfiction, learned how to write for children by studying picture books, and gained the skills and courage to navigate the publishing process.

“Susan’s writing talent impressed us during her time in the MA, and her ability to combine her words and her father’s artwork is a joy to see,” said Dr. Heidi McCauley, a professor within the department of rhetoric and writing. 

Van Dusen will be recognized for her achievement at the Will Rogers Medallion Awards ceremony in Tulsa October 31, when the final placements will be announced. As she waits for the results, she hopes this recognition will encourage more young readers to discover the beauty of original artwork and the stories it can tell.