Caldecott Medal Home Page

This award is named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Flotsam written and illustrated by David Wiesner is the current winner.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

This award is named after Illinois author, Rebecca Caudill.  Each year, 20 titles are selected from all the nominations submitted by Illinois children in grades 4-8.  Students are then encouraged to read the books from the list and vote for their favorite.  The book that receives the highest number of votes from the children of Illinois wins the prize.

So B. It by Sarah Weeks is the current winner.

Monarch Young Readers’ Book Award

This new award just started in 2004.  To find the nominees for this award, look for pictures of the Monarch butterfly in our awards section. The name Monarch was chosen because of its familiarity to children in grades K-3 and to symbolize the growth, change and freedom that becoming a reader brings. The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators. The program is open to all K-3 age children in Illinois

Superdog: The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner is the current winner


Newbery Medal Home Page

This award is named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron is the current winner.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

This medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois, and is sponsored by the company.

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon, by Catherine Thimmesh is the current winner.

Outstanding International Children's Books

This bibliography represents the best children's literature of the year that was originally published outside of the United States.  Peruse this selection in our Awards area and explore stories from other countries.  The books are marked with globe stickers on their spines.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award

This award, established in Mildred Batchelder's honor in 1966, is a citation awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.

The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat is the current winner

Pura Belpré Award

This award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library.  Established in 1996, this award is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator who best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children.

The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales and Dona Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart by Pat Mora and illustrated by Raul Colon are the current winners.

Coretta Scott King Award

This award is presented to authors and illustrators of African descent whose books promote an understanding and appreciation of the “American Dream.”  The Award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honors his widow, Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination in continuing the work for peace and world brotherhood

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper is the current winner.