For the first time, a Maine author has earned the Time of Wonder Children’s Book Award, given annually by the Maine Discovery Museum to a book that “captures the sense of wonder and imagination of the most enduring children’s literature.”

Debby Atwell of Rockland was chosen for the honor for the book “The Thanksgiving Door,” which she wrote and illustrated.

Andrea Stark, executive director of the museum, explained, “‘The Thanksgiving Door’ won this year’s prize for its timeless message about the rejuvenating power of the human heart when it’s open to new experiences. Debby Atwell tells her story of a most unconventional Thanksgiving celebration through exuberant folk-art illustrations and laugh-out-loud humor. This is a book that’s meant to be read aloud at any season and to all ages.”

Atwell is a well-known landscape painter and the author and illustrator of “River,” “Barn” and “Pearl.” “Barn” earned a starred review from School Library Journal and was named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year in 1996. “Pearl” also received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

This year’s Time of Wonder Honor Books are:

. “Beautiful Blackbird,” by Ashley Bryan of Little Cranberry Island;

. “The Water Gift and the Pig of the Pig,” written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Linda S. Wingerter;

. “My Name is Yoon,” written by Helen Recorvits and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska; and

. “Rhyolite, The True Story of a Ghost Town,” written by Diane Siebert with woodcuts by David Frampton.

Previous winners of the Time of Wonder Award were “Ruby Holler” by Sharon Creech and “The Three Questions” by Jon J. Muth in 2003 and “The Other Side,” written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis in 2002.

The book will be installed on the Time of Wonder walk on the museum’s third floor at a special event in mid-October.