2021 ALA Youth Media Awards - Save the Date

Every year at the end of January, the American Library Association honors the world of children and teen literature with awards. Among these awards are the Newbery Award, to the, "to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children," the Caldecott Award, to the "to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children," and the Coretta Scott King Award, to "outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values." There's a long list of other awards as well. One year I actually had the opportunity to attend the awards and it was magical.

2020 Caldecott Winner. Beautiful. Read it if you missed it. 

2020 Newbery Winner. A GRAPHIC NOVEL!!!!

These awards, like the Oscars, are not without controversy. There's been a lot of movement toward honoring a more diverse population of authors, illustrators, and characters in the books. I have to say, unlike the Oscars, children's and teen literature seems to be doing a much better job.

My view, the year I attended, in 2016

Here are some of the predictions about this year's Caldecott winners. (Known as "Mock Caldecotts")

Mr. Schu and Colby Sharp (a former librarian and school teacher.)

Travis Jonker, of 100 Scope Notes/School Library Journal

The Horn Book magazine's Calling Caldecott.

If you want to watch the live stream event, January 25th, at 8 am EST, click here.