Aesop Prize

This award is for an English language, fiction or nonfiction book that is based on folklore. The folklore must be accurately presented in word and drawing and add to the reader's understanding of folklore. The sources for the folklore must also be cited.

Since 1992, the Aesop Prize and Aesop Accolades have been awarded annually by the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society. The winning books are announced at the annual meeting of the American Folklore Society.

Award for Children's Poetry

The National Council of Teachers for English (NCTE) established this award in 1977. It has been given annually until 1882, when it was decided that the award should be given every three years. At the NCTE Convention during the Books for Children Luncheon, the poet receives a plaque, a ticket to the luncheon, and an invitation to speak at the Poetry Award session.

This award honors a living American poet and his or her collective work for the audience of children, ages 3-13. Further criteria (literary merit, poet's contributions, evolution of poet's work, contribution to children) are outlined on the NCTE website.

Mildred Batchelder Award

The award is presented annually 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 published in English in the United States during the preceding year."

The award was established in 1966 to honor Mildred L. Batchelder, the former Executive Secretary of the Children's Services Division of the ALA. She believed that "children in all countries should have good books in translation from many parts of the world" because it promotes international understanding of different heritages and cultures. This then enhances a feeling of nearness and improves communication between countries.

Boston Globe and Horn Book Award

Awarded annually since 1967 by The Boston Globe and The Horn Book Magazine. Winners are announced each fall at the New England Library Association conference. The nonfiction award was added in 1976.

This award honors outstanding titles in three categories: Fiction and Poetry, Nonfiction, and Picture Book. Books must be published in the U.S. but can be written by non-Americans. (This is not the case in the Newbery and Caldecott awards.) Honor books are selected in addition to the winning books.

Buckeye Children's Book Award

Children from many places in Ohio nominate their favorite books. They then vote from a compiled list in the following year. There are three separate groupings by grade level: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.

Begun in 1981 with the collaboration of the Ohio Council International Reading Association, the Ohio Educational Library Media Association, the Ohio Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts, the Ohio Library Council, and the State Library of Ohio, the Buckeye Children's Book Award seeks to encourage children to read critically as well as involve teachers and librarians in children's literature.

Randolph Caldecott Award

The Caldecott Medal was 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 he American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

One Award Book is selected each year in January. One or more Honor Books are also awarded, based upon the determinations of the members of the Caldecott Award Committee.

Coretta Scott King Award

The Coretta Scott King Award is presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Committee of the American Library Association's Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT).

>From the ALA website: "The award (or awards) is given to an African American author, as well as illustrator, for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution. The works promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream. The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood."

Golden Kite Award

Begun in 1973, the Golden Kite Award remains to be the only major children's book award presented by one's peers.

An award book and honor book are picked annually in the area of non-fiction, fiction, picture book text, and picture book illustration. The award is presented by the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators to other members whose work "exhibits excellence and appeals to the interests and concerns of children."

John Newbery Award

The Newbery Medal was 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.

One Award Book is selected each year in January. One or more Honor Books are also awarded, based upon the determinations of the members of the Newbery Medal Award Committee.

Orbis Pictus Award

The award honors the 1657 work of Johannes Amos Comenius entitled Orbis Pictus — The World in Pictures. This is considered to be the first nonfiction book to address children. The Award began in 1990.

The Orbis Pictus award was established by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to promote and recognize excellence in children's nonfiction books. Additional criteria address accuracy, organization, design, and style as outlined by the website. A nonfiction book is considered to be any book whose content is sharing information, including biographical. However, textbooks, historical fiction, folklore, and poetry are excluded. Though one award is given out, up to five honorable books can be recognized.

Sydney Taylor Award

Named after author Sydney Taylor who wrote the All-of-a-Kind Family series. Sydney Taylor and this series were a mainstream success in promoting quality Jewish literature for children.

The award recognizes the "best" (authentically portrayed Jewish experience) in Jewish children's literature each year. There are two categories to win in: younger readers (Y) and older readers (O). Winners receive a gold medal and honor books a silver seal.

Tomás Rivera Award

Named after educator and university administrator, Tomás Rivera, who "traveled extensively, reading and promoting Mexican American Literature throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe." The award was established in 1995 by the Texas State University of San Marcos.

The Tomás Rivera Award is given annually to the author/illustrator of "the most distinguished book for children and young adults that authentically reflects the lives and experiences of Mexican Americans in the United States." The book can be fiction or nonfiction. Children nominate books which are then narrowed by a regional committee. A national committee picks the winners.