Tuesday, February 4, 2014

2014 Award Winners

Last week the American Library Association announced its award winners for 2014.  This month I am going to take the time to share the books that won and the books that won and the runners up.  The American Library Association gives out several awards each year.  The most popular awards are the Newbery, Sibert, Caldecott and Geisel.

The Newbery Medal is awarded to the "most distinguished children's book published the previous year."  So this year's Newbery Medal winner was published in 2013.  The medal has been awarded since 1922.  The first book to recieve the medal The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willen van Loon.  All winners receive a gold seal on the cover of the book. The runner's up are called Newbery Honor's books and receive a silver seal on the cover.



Just like the Newbery Medal, you are probably familiar with the Caldecott Medal.  The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the best illustrator of a picture book.  The award was first given in 1938 and its first winner was Animals of the Bible illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop.  Just like the Newbery Medal the Caldecott winner receives a gold seal on the cover and the honor books a silver.  



The Sibert Medal is a newer award, first given in 2001.  This award goes to the author and illustrator of the previous year's best informational book.  The first book awarded with this honor was Sir Walter Raleigh and the Quest for El Dorado by Marc Aronson.  Just like with the other awards the book receives a gold seal and the honor books receive a silver seal.



Lastly, there is the Geisel Medal, named after the oh-so-popular Dr. Seuss, who has helped millions of children learn to read.  This award is given to the author and illustrator of the best early reader.  This will often be books with fewer words so that the beginning reader can read on their own.  The first winner of the Geisel Medal was awarded in 2006 to Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Sucie Stevenson.  These books also receive seals on their cover.   


So all throughout this month I will be sharing with the this years medal winners and honorees.  Check back often to see what the American Library Association thought were last years best books!

Happy Reading!
Laura

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