Update: Winners Announced!
It's that time of year again! Awards season is upon us, and while some are glued to the Golden Globes, Grammys, and Oscars, Youth Librarians are revving up for the 2024 Youth Media Awards, put on by the American Library Association. For the next two years, KCPL will even have a hand in the nomination and awards process, as I was appointed to the Excellence in Early Literacy in Digital Media award committee. It was an amazing experience to be a part of something so big and important for children's materials. And while I can't share any winners yet, I thought I'd clue everyone into some of my picks for another big award, the Caldecott Award for excellence in children's picture books. During a recent school visit, I held a (very) small Mock Caldecott vote, and got the students' opinions on some of the titles that may be up for consideration. Unlike other awards, there are not set nominees, and committees choose a winner and any honor titles from nearly anything published in the past year that fits the criteria.
From the ALA website:
"Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.
The 2024 Youth Media Award announcements will take place on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. ET, during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, ALA's newest conference offering launched in 2022. Those not in Baltimore for LibLearnX can watch a livestream, opens a new window of the award announcements, which will also be available on the American Library Association Facebook page, opens a new window."
There are several different medals and awards that will be announced, and I hope you'll join us in celebrating theses books! Be sure to check out my Mock Caldecott 2024 list here and see anyone at the children's reference desks in our branches for more great recommendations.
Add a comment to: YMA Warm Up: Mock Caldecott Book List and more!