What makes a great children's book? This question has been on my mind for the past three years as I've curated the children's award winners and honors display. As a prospective school librarian, part of my training is to acclimate myself to the world of children's and young adult publishing in order to help growing readers flourish. The award lists are crucial tools in this process. Some awards focus on writing, some on illustration, some on both. Many have cultural focus or a core idea that drives the selection process, but many are also selected and judged by adults. This year, I chose to feature five award lists not yet represented in this curation process, including an award voted on by children and teens themselves. It's important for kids (and for grown ups, too) to remember that what makes a book great isn't that someone else says it is.
I give you this collection and I let you decide.
As we kick off 2020, we're already gearing up for a new book awards cycle. What a perfect time for all of us to brush up on the year that was and get excited about new children's literature?
Books featured in this collection have been recognized by one or more of the following:
Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Literature
Lambda Literary Award (under the LGBTQ Children's/Young Adult category)
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (under the Picture Book, Children's Literature, and Young Adult Literature categories)
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
Will Eisner Comic Industry Award (under the Publications for Early Readers, Publications for Kids, and Publications for Teens categories)
National Book Award (under the Young People's Literature category)
Children's and Teen Choice Book Award
American Library Association Notable Book List
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids and for Teens of 2018
