Pratt's artwork will be displayed alongside the works of Caldecott Medal recipients, winners of the Coretta Scott King Award, and illustrators honored for their contributions with prestigious international, national and regional book awards, in a two-year, 12-city tour of the United States.

The tour organizer, Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C., is preparing for its fourth widely acclaimed series of traveling exhibitions focusing on artworks from children's literature, which kicks off in February 2006.

"This Is Our Land: Discovering America and the World Through Original Illustrations From Children's Books" includes 75 works by more than 70 artists, depicting the great diversity of people, pastimes and natural wonders in all 50 states, together with images of life in 15 countries.

The exhibition is designed to promote knowledge of geography, literacy skills and a desire to learn about the world through reading and travel.

Two images were selected from "Pua's Paniolo Parade," a book I wrote and Pratt illustrated, to represent Hawai'i's people, pastimes and geography. Both are done in Pratt's signature scratchboard and watercolor art. One depicts a young Hawaiian cowgirl riding through pineapple fields. The other shows a group of paniolo playing 'ukulele around a campfire.

"When the guy from Meridian called me, he said, 'How could I not choose a picture where the moon is playing a 'ukulele?' " Pratt reported, laughing.

Pratt, known to her friends as Chrissy, grew up in New Jersey and says she was always the class artist. She attended the University of Vermont, majoring in fine art.

"I did an internship with a fine printmaker and illustrator, Mel Hunter," Pratt said. "He inspired me to take up illustration."

In 1990, she bought a one-way ticket to Hawai'i. Pratt shares a July 4th birthday with her husband, Tom. They have a 2-year-old son, Owen, and another child on the way.

News of Pratt's inclusion in Meridian's exhibit comes as she celebrates another major milestone. Massachusetts publisher Charlesbridge just released Pratt's first national picture book, "This Is America."

"The book is about ideals. It's filled with people, buildings and places. It was heavy subject matter," said Pratt. "I'm no good at just drawing. I'm much more of a conceptual illustrator."

"There's a part in the book about Marian Anderson. She was denied a chance to sing at a concert because she was black, so she planned another concert at the Lincoln Memorial and 75,000 people showed up," Pratt said. "Drawing a portrait of Marian Anderson doesn't show anything. To me, having Lincoln sit up from his memorial to enjoy her music meant so much more."

In a review of "This Is America," the School Library Journal writes: "The large, bold, scratchboard-and-watercolor art sometimes has a clever twist — the Capitol Building is depicted with a friendly face; a red, white, and blue tie; and an upper portico that turns into an arm holding children."

Pratt had done lots of regional work when, in the early 1990s, she attended an American Booksellers Association conference in Los Angeles, armed with a cleverly constructed promotional piece: a hand-painted die-cut mouse dangling from a magnetized balloon on which were printed Pratt's name and phone number.

"I designed it to be cute and hard to throw away," Pratt said.

Someone handed Pratt's dangling mouse to art director Ron McCutchan of Carus Publishing, which produces highly regarded national children's literary magazines, including Cricket and Spider.

McCutchan wrote to Pratt back then saying, "Someday I will use you."

Four years later, McCutchan called and gave her the first of many assignments.

As for the future, Pratt has long wanted to travel to faraway places to research illustration projects.

Where would she like to go most?

"I'm fascinated by Mongolia," Pratt said.

She will get there. It is just a matter of time.