The following chronologically organized list is not exhaustive or politically neutral. We have made particular decisions to arrange this list so the reader can examine how the inception of particular awards are responses to other awards and/or lack of representation and recognition of particular cultural groups in the publishing of children’s literature. While we gathered this information from book award homepages, additional information is available from these websites as well as from affiliated organizations.
www.janeaddamspeace.org/index.asp
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and the Jane Addams Peace Association established the Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards in 1953. The awards annually honor authors and illustrators of children’s books for their success in promoting peace, social justice, world community, and race and gender equality. The picture book genre was added in 1993. Along with award winning books, honor books are recognized in each category.
It is awarded biennially in recognition of authors, since 1956, and illustrators, since 1966, for their lasting contributions to children’s literature. The award, also known as the “Little Nobel Prize,” is patronized by her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and presented by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The national sections of IBBY and an internationally renowned jury of children’s literature specialists are in charge of nomination and award desicions.
www.gg.ca/honours/awards/gga/index_e.asp
www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggla
Having evolved into one of Canada’s most prestigious awards since its inception in 1937 by the Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan, author of The Thirty-Nine Steps) and initiated by the Canadian Authors Association, the Governor General’s Literary Award honors publications in both French and English for adults. The Canada Council for the Arts continued with the sponsorship and added prizes for works written in French in 1959, and extended its recognition to children’s literature in the categories of text, illustration and translation in 1987. Since 1988, the BMO Financial Group has joined the sponsorship of the award.
www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Book_of_the_Year_for_Children_Award
Sponsored by National Book Service, this award was launched by the Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians in 1947. It recognizes books written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents, in any format of creative writing that are suitable for children up to age 12. The recipients are selected by a committee of the Association, with input from its membership.
www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Young_Adult_Canadian_Book_Award
The award was founded in 1980 by the Young Adult Caucus of the Saskatchewan Library Association, and is administered by the Young Adult Services Interest Group of the Canadian Library Association. This award acknowledges English language books published in Canada by Canadian citizens or permanent residents for young adult readers between the ages of 13 and 18.
www.bookcentre.ca/awards/norma_fleck/index.shtml
Initiated in May 1999 by Dr. Jim Fleck to honor his mother, Norma Marie Byrnes, the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s nonfiction is sponsored by the Fleck Family Foundation and administered by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. This award acknowledges Canada’s outstanding nonfiction books for young people. Appraised by a jury of children literature professionals, criteria for this award include: exceptionality of the text, presentation of subject matter, and complementary illustrations.
www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberymedal.htm
Established in 1922 in honor of John Newbery, an 18th-century publisher of children’s books, the John Newbery Medal is presented by the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association (ALA) to the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. As the first children’s book award in the world, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature in the United States. The purpose of the award is to encourage the writing and reading of original creative work in the field of children’s literature. The selection criteria of the award book and honor books are generally based on the following elements: interpretation of the theme or concept; presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization; development of plot; delineation of characters and setting; appropriateness of style; excellence of presentation for a child audience; the text and illustrations; and, overall design of the book.
www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm
Established in 1937 and named in recognition of 19th-century English illustrator, Randolph Caldecott, the award is presented annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, part of the American Library Association. This award honors exceptional illustrators of American children’s picture books that are published in English by citizens or residents of the United States. Criteria for the award include: originality, artistic technique, distinctive visual interpretation, appropriateness of style of illustration, excellence of presentation for a child audience, the written text, and overall design of the book.
www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/wildermedal/wildermedal.htm
Inaugurated in 1954 and named for Laura Ingalls Wilder, an elementary school teacher who published her first book at the age of 65, this medal is presented by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The award honors authors or illustrators whose books published in the United States have contributed significantly to children’s literature during a period of at least ten years. From 1960 to 1980 this award was conferred every five years, between 1980 and 2001 every three years, and beginning in 2001 every other year. Other evaluation criteria include whether the nominated works have demonstrated leading examples for the genre to which they belong, and contributed to new trends in publication of children’s books.
www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/batchelderaward/batchelderaward.htm
This annual award was established in honor of Mildred L. Batchelder, a former executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, who encouraged the translation of quality children’s literature, striving to promote better understanding and communication between people across various cultures. First presented in 1966, this award is given to American publishers for translating and publishing in the United States children’s books that are originally published in other languages and countries. The award criteria focuses on the text, the authentic relationship between the original and the translation, and the quality of the U.S. book, which include: interpretation of the theme; presentation of information; development of plot; delineation of characters; appropriateness of style; the potential appeal to a child audience; and, the overall design and/or illustration.
www.socialstudies.org/awards/woodson/
Intended to encourage the writing and reading of exemplary social studies books for young readers that aptly contend with ethnic minorities and relations in the United States, the award was established in 1974 by the National Council for Social Studies. One book from the elementary (K-6), middle (5–8), and secondary (7–12) divisions receive awards. Each year outstanding runner-up books are recognized as Carter G. Woodson Honor Books. Five key traits comprise the overall evaluation criteria of text and illustrations: respect for diversity; insight provided into the experiences of racial/ethnic groups; depiction of interactions among racial/ethnic groups; balanced representation of particular racial/ethnic groups; and, exemption from patronizing, distorting, and stereotyping.
www.reading.org/association/awards/childrens_ira.xhtml
Initiated in 1974, this award acknowledges an author’s first or second published book written for children or young adults (ages birth to 17 years). Awards recognize fiction and nonfiction in three categories: primary, intermediate, and young adult. All books, in any language or from any country, are considered.
www.ncte.org/about/awards/sect/elem/106857.htm
Initiating its award in 1977, the National Council of Teachers of English acknowledges a living American poet every three years for his or her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Essential considerations for the selection include: imagination; authenticity of voice; evidence of a strong persona; universality/timelessness; potential for growth and evolution in terms of craft and artistic stamina; excellence in technical and artistic presentation, evidence of different styles and modes of expression, evidence of risk and innovation; potential for stirring fresh insights and feelings; and, the appeal to children.
www.scottodell.com/odellaward.xhtml
This award was initiated in 1982 by Scott O’Dell to promote the writing of historical fiction and to increase young readers’ interest in history, in the hope to help shape their country and their world. The award honors distinguished books of historical fiction, which are written in English by a U.S. citizen and produced by a U.S. publisher for children or young adults in the “New World” (Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central or South America).
www.ncte.org/elem/awards/orbispictus/106877.htm
First presented in 1990, this annual literary award was created by the National Council of Teachers of English to recognize exceptional works of nonfiction for children, which are published in the United States. This award is named for the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures (1657), which is considered to be the first book published for children. The award acknowledges one book and up to five honor books every year, based on the following literary criteria: accuracy of facts, organization, design, style, and writing.
www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/Printz.cfm
First granted in 2002, the Michael L. Printz Award is named in honor of a former school teacher librarian of the Topeka West High School in Kansas. Printz was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. Sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association, and administered by YALSA, the award recognizes exceptional books of young adult literature, written for readers aged from 12 to 18. The Printz and four honor book award winners are acknowledged annually by a committee of nine YALSA members. Criteria for the award include: diversity; presentation as a self-contained entity (not dependent on other media for its meaning or pleasure); and, book components such as story, voice, style, setting, characters, theme, illustration and, overall design.
www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/geiselaward/GeiselAward.htm
Initiated in 2004 and named in honor of the world-distinguished author of children’s literature, Theodor Geisel, this annual award recognizes American authors and illustrators of outstanding beginning reader books published in English in the United States. The winning and honor books, written by citizens or residents of the United States, are selected for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to encourage and enrich children’s reading engagement.
www.hbook.com/bghb/default.asp
Among the most prestigious prizes in the United States and first presented by The Boston Globe and The Horn Book Magazine in 1967, this award honors books for children and young adults in three categories: picture book, fiction and poetry, and nonfiction. The awarded books, with two honor books selected in each category, must be published in the United States but the authors and illustrators may be citizens of any country.
www.ezra-jack-keats.org/bookawards/index.xhtml
Established in 1985 and named for Ezra Jack Keats, a famous author and illustrator of children’s literature, this award is sponsored by The New York Public Library and the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. It annually honors novice writers and illustrators of children’s picture books, who each have fewer than five books published. The selection criteria, as reflected in Ezra Jack Keats’ focus on traditionally underrepresented populations include: the universal qualities of childhood, a strong belief in family and community, creativity, and love of learning.
www.ala.org/ala/emiert/corettascottkingbookaward/corettascott.cfm
Established in 1970, this award is conferred annually by the Coretta Scott King Committee under the Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) of the American Library Association (ALA), honoring the contribution of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the commitment of Mrs. Coretta Scott King to the work for peace and world fellowship. This award is presented in recognition of African American authors and illustrators for their exceptional contributions to the promotion of understanding and appreciation of the African American experience and to the realization of the American Dream, as defined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The winning works must be published in the United States. The intention is for these works of literature to foster in young readers attitudes and behaviors necessary for participation in a culturally diverse democratic society. The award promotes the representation of the African American experience in the form of literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments. Selection criteria include: accuracy of information presented, originality, suitability for the intended young readers (preschool-grade 4, grades 5–8 and grades 9–12), clear plot, and well developed characters.
www.apalaweb.org/awards/awards.htm
This annual award was developed by the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, with the goal to honor and encourage original writings and illustrations that depict Asian/Pacific American heritage. The first award was presented in 2006. Award winners and honor books, based on literary and artistic presentations, are recognized in three categories: adult fiction, illustration in children’s literature and youth literature. The titles must be published in English by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but not necessarily by Asian/Pacific Americans.
www.jewishbookcouncil.org/page.php?7
This award is the longest running awards program in the field of Jewish literature in the United States and Canada since its inception in 1948. The Jewish Book Council presents this award to authors or illustrators of children’s books of Jewish content. The purpose of the award is to encourage the reading, writing and publishing of distinctive English language books that deal with Jewish themes. Beginning in 2002, one nonfiction book has been selected annually as the winner of the Everett Family Foundation Jewish Book of the Year Award.
www.jewishlibraries.org/ajlweb/awards/st_books.htm
This annual award, established in 1968 by the Association of Jewish Libraries, recognizes two children’s books, one for younger and one for older readers, that authentically depicts the Jewish experience. This award honors Sydney Taylor, author of the All-of-a-kind family series.
www.education.txstate.edu/departments/Tomas-Rivera-Book-Award-Project-Link.xhtml
This book award was established in 1995 by Texas State University College of Education, honoring its distinguished alumnus, Dr. Tomás Rivera. Rivera was one of the first authors to represent the Mexican American migrant farmworker experience in literature. This annual award recognizes exceptional authors and illustrators of Mexican American literature, fiction or nonfiction, created for children and young adults (from birth to age 16). The selection criteria include: accurate depictions of Mexican American experience, exemption from stereotypes, and rich characterization.
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/belpremedal/belprmedal.htm
With its inception in 1996, this award acknowledges a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator for representing the Latino cultural experience in literature for children and young adults. The award is jointly sponsored by two of the American Library Association affiliates: the Association for Library Service to Children and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, an author, storyteller and the first Latina librarian of the New York Public Library. (Puerto Rican children have enjoyed her retellings of Puerto Rican folklore in the United States.) Two medals (one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator) are awarded biennially, but beginning with the 2009 award, it is presented annually, at the Annual Conference of the American Library Association. The award-winning and honor books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico and created by residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico. All genres are eligible for consideration. General criteria for selection include: suitability for intended young readers’ understandings and appreciations; originality; and, excellence in quality.
www.uwm.edu/Dept/CLACS/outreach/americas.xhtml
Initiated in 1993, this award is presented to outstanding U.S. books published in English or Spanish that authentically engage children or young adults in reading about Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos/as in the United States. Sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP), the award honors works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected nonfiction. The award endeavors to affirm cultural heritages and surpass political borders. Selection criteria for the award winners and commended titles include: distinctive literary quality; cultural contextualization; exceptional integration of text; illustration and design; and, potential for classroom use.
www.aila.library.sd.gov/activities/youthlitaward.htm
Created in 2006 by the American Indian Library Association, this award honors distinguished writing and illustrations by and about American Indians in three categories: picture book, middle school, and young adult. Meritorious books are selected generally based on appropriateness for intended readers, artistic elements of book design, and accurate and realistic portrayals of Native American cultures during different periods of time. The Native cultural traits include: significance of community, extended family structures, harmony between material and non-material aspects of life, and the respect for the relationship among all aspects of Mother Earth.