literary award
A literary award or literary prize is an award presented in recognition of a particularly lauded literary piece or body of work. It is normally presented to an author.
Organizations
Most literary awards come with a corresponding award ceremony. Ma ...
by the
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members a ...
(ALA) that annually recognizes the "author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year." The winner(s) receive a bronze medal at the ALA Annual Conference, presented by the
Association for Library Service to Children
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is a division of the American Library Association, and it is the world's largest organization dedicated to library service to children. Its members are concerned with creating a better future ...
(ALSC) division of ALA.
The award is named for Theodor Geisel, also known as
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
in the United States during the preceding year.
* There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it will be original and function successfully as a book for beginning readers.
* The author(s) or illustrator(s) must be
citizens
Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection".
Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...
or residents of the United States.
* The "author(s) and illustrator(s)" may include co-authors and co-illustrators. The author(s) and illustrator(s) may be awarded the medal posthumously.
* The text must be directed at readers from pre-K through Grade 2.
* The illustrations must function as keys or clues to the text.
* Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry are all eligible.
* Reprints and compilations are not eligible.
* Subject matter must be intriguing enough to motivate the child to read.
* The book may or may not include short "chapters".
* New words should be added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience.
* Words should be repeated to ensure knowledge retention.
* Sentences must be simple and straightforward.
* There must be a minimum of 24 pages.
* Books may not be longer than 96 pages.
Recipients
Multiple awards
* Tedd Arnold received honors in 2006, 2010, and (with Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss) 2018.
*
Cece Bell
Cecelia Carolina Bell (born December 26, 1970) is an American freelance author and illustrator born in Richmond, Virginia. She attended the Paier College of Art as an art major and went on to get a graduate degree in illustration and design at ...
received honors in 2013 and 2020.
*
Dori Hillestad Butler
Dori Hillestad Butler (born August 26, 1965) is an American author of more than 40 children's books, as well as magazine stories, plays and educational materials. Her first book, ''The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off'', was published in 1997. She is kno ...
received honors in 2018 and 2019.
*
Kate DiCamillo
Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo (born March 25, 1964) is an American children's fiction author. She has published over 25 novels, including ''Because of Winn-Dixie'', '' The Tiger Rising'', ''The Tale of Despereaux'', ''The Miraculous Journey ...
won the 2011 award (with co-author Alison McGhee and illustrator Tony Fucile). She received an honor in 2007.
* Jonathan Fenske received honors in 2016 and 2022.
*
Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes (born November 27, 1960) is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for ''Kitten's First Full Moon'' (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, ''Olive's Ocea ...
received honors in 2014 and 2016.
* Paul Meisel received honors in 2012 and 2018.
*
David Milgrim
David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
received honors in 2017 and 2019.
*
Greg Pizzoli Greg is a masculine given name, and often a shortened form of the given name Gregory. Greg (more commonly spelled " Gregg") is also a surname.
People with the name
*Greg Abbott (disambiguation), multiple people
* Greg Abel (born 1961/1962), Canad ...
won the 2014 award. He received honors in 2017 and 2020.
*
Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant (born June 6, 1954) is an American author and librarian. She has written more than 100 children's books, including works of fiction (picture books, short stories and novels), nonfiction, and poetry. Several of her books have won ...
won the award in 2006 and received an honor in 2015.
* Laura Vaccaro Seeger received honors in 2008 and 2009.
* Corey R. Tabor won the award in 2019 and 2022.
*
Mo Willems
Mo Willems (born February 11, 1968) is an American writer, animator, voice actor, and children's book author. His work includes creating the animated television series ''Sheep in the Big City'' for Cartoon Network, working on ''Sesame Street'' ...
won the 2008 and 2009 awards. He received honors in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.