2015 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus written by Jen Bryant was named as the most distinguished informational book for children. The book also received a Caldecott Honor for the beautiful illustrations by Melissa Sweet.

Five Honor books were named: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming, Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker written by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Christian Robinson, Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great White Sharks of California’s Farallon Islands written and illustrated by Katherine Roy and Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiah.

It was quite a morning for Jacqueline Woodson. She won a Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award as well as a Siebert Honor. Last fall Brown Girl Dreaming won the National Book Award for children’s literature.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

It was a busy morning at the American Library Association meeting in Chicago. Another category that is pertinent to this blog is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book. The Award winner is You Are (Not) Small written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant.

The Honors were awarded to Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard and Waiting Is Not Easy written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

2015 Newbery Medal

Earlier this morning the John Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to children’s literature was awarded to The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.

Two Honor books were named: El Deafo by Cece Bell and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.

There has been a big push for more diverse books in children’s literature for several years. All three of these books qualify in one category or another. Another interesting thing is that two of these books are written in verse and one is a graphic novel aimed at middle graders. Brown Girl Dreaming also received the Coretta Scott King Book Award which recognizes an African-American author of outstanding books for children and young adults. The Crossover was awarded an Honor in the same category.
2014 was a banner year for middle grade fiction. Later today I’ll post the Nerdy Book Awards for Middle Grade fiction to give you some idea of what the Newbery committee looked at in their deliberations.

2015 Caldecott Awards

This morning the 2015 Caldecott Medal was given to  The Adventures of Beekle, The Unimaginary Friend  written and illustrated by Dan Santat.

The Honors went to Nana in the City written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

and The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art illustrated by Mary GrandPre and written by Barb Rosenstock:

and Sam and Dave Dig A Hole illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett:

and Viva Frida written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales:

and The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus Illustrated by Mellisa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant:

and finally, This One Summer illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki.

There are three biographies among the Honor books plus a graphic novel aimed at tens. Very interesting to say the least!

2014 Nerdy Awards for Early Readers

Interesting, well written books for beginning readers can be a real challenge. Many good writers stay away because of the limited vocabulary and the need to develop  a story in  relatively short number of pages (around a hundred). The  2014 Nerdy Awards for Early Readers and Chapter Books highlights some of the best books for Kindergarten to 3rd grade from last year. Authors include two-time Newbery Medalist, Kate DiCamillo, Newbery Honor recipient, Cynthia Lord and many time Theodor Seuss Gisele Award winner and Honor recipient, Mo Willems. The great Judith Viorst is back with a third Lulu book. Her books have been a hit with kids for at least forty years.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with the Caldecott and Newbery Medal and Honor winning books plus the Theodor Seuss Gisele winners.

Reading With Your Child

Everyone with an elementary school child knows that each child should be reading for pleasure for 20 minutes a day. This article may help you make that a reality in your home: 7 Tips to Help Make Reading With Your Child This Year Achievable.

Thought for Today

Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.