A quick post to announce the winners of several prestigious awards for children’s books, revealed today on the American Library Association (ALA) website for children’s book awards.  I aim to review many of these children’s books in the weeks and months ahead.

Children’s Book Awards: Caldecott

First, the 2010 winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal is The Lion & the Mouse illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (click here to see our review, “Picture Books: Caldecott Medal Winner, The Lion and the Mouse“).  Two Caldecott Honor children’s books—think “runners-up”—were also chosen: All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee and written by Liz Garton Scanlon, and Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Joyce Sidman.  The ALA website for children’s book awards states the following of the Caldecott Medal:

“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 the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.”

Children’s Book Awards: Newbery

Second, the winner of the 2010 John Newbery Medal is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (click here to see our review, “Juvenile Fiction: Newbery Medal Winner, When You Reach Me“).  Four Newbery Honor children’s books were also chosen: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.  The ALA website for children’s book awards states the following of the Newbery Medal:

“The Newbery Medal 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.”

Children’s Book Awards: King

Third, the winner of the 2010 Corretta Scott King Author Award—announced appropriately enough on Martin Luther King Jr. Day!—is Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.  One King Author Honor children’s book was also chosen: Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis.  The winner of the 2010 Corretta Scott King Illustrator Award is My People, illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr., written by Langston Hughes.  One King Illustrator Honor children’s book was also chosen: The Negro Speaks of Rivers, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Langston Hughes. The ALA website for children’s book awards states the following of the King Awards:

“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, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.  Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.”

Children’s Book Awards: Geisel

Finally, the winner of the 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (named after Dr. Seuss!) is Benny And Penny in The Big No-No, written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes.  Four Geisel Honor children’s books were also chosen: I Spy Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold, Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith, Mouse & Mole, Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee, and Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day written by Kate McMullan and illustrated by R.W. Alley.  The ALA website for children’s book awards states the following of the Geisel Award:

“The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, established in 2004, is given annually (beginning in 2006) to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books published in the United States during the preceding year.”

If you are interested, there are a host of other children’s books award winners in different categories that the ALA announced today, all of which can be found by clicking here.

Have you read any of this year’s winners?  What do you think?  Would you particularly like to see any of them reviewed on Children’s Books and Reviews?  If so, leave a comment and let us know!

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