The [British] Library Association, Youth Libraries Group Award

The Library Association, Youth Libraries Group Award was established 1937, and is presented annually to an outstanding book published in the United Kingdom. The award was initially limited to English writers published in England, but since 1969 any book written in English and published first, or concurrently, in the United Kingdom has been eligible. The award is presented during the summer of the year following publication.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

Balewa´s ´Shaihu Umar´

"Shaihu Umar" was written by the late Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, once the Federal Prime Minister of Nigeria. You can find a brief review of it at the publisher´s site MarkusWeiner and you can purchase the hard cover edition there. If you would prefer a softcover edition, get it at Amazon

Australian Children´s Book of the Year Award for Older Readers

Australian Children´s Book of the Year Award for Older Readers was established in 1946 and is presented annually in August for a children´s book written by an Australian, or a resident of Australia.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

Ruth Schwartz Children´s Book Award

The Ruth Schwartz Children´s Book Award was established 1976, and is presented annually for a Canadian book published during the previous year. The books are judged by children, from a list compiled by booksellers.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award

The Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award was established in 1980 by the Canadian Library Association, Young Adult Special Interest Group. It is presented annually for creative literature: novel, play, or poetry, written by a Canadian and published in Canada.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

The National Book Award for Young People´s Literature

Presented each year since 1996, this Award is made by the National Book Foundation in the month of November. It recognizes outstanding contribution to children´s literature, and carries a $10,000 cash prize. The award committee will consider books of all genres written for children and young adults by U.S. writers with an emphasis on literary merit.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

About The National Book Awards

THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: A TRADITION SINCE 1950

On March 16, 1950, a consortium of book publishing groups sponsored the first annual National Book Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Their goal was to enhance the public´s awareness of exceptional books written by fellow Americans, and to increase the popularity of reading in general.

The National Book Awards have become the nation´s preeminent literary prizes, and The National Book Awards Ceremony and Dinner the most important event on our literary calendar. The Awards are given to recognize achievements in four genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People´s Literature. The Winners, selected by five-member, independent judging panels for each genre, receive a $10,000 cash award and a crystal sculpture.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

The Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Medal is presented annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in the United States in the preceding year, by a citizen or resident of the United States. The winner is announced at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting (January/February), and the award is presented at the ALA summer conference.

For a list of winning illustrators and titles, click Here.

Best Selling Children's Books

While there are lists galore floating around which examine every category of book imaginable, two of the best resources are the archives of either the New York Times or Publishers Weekly.

According to the latter, the best-selling children's hardcover books in 2003 were:


1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J. K. Rowling

2. The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events #10), Lemony Snicket; illustrated by Brett Helquist

3. Eragon, Christopher Paolini

4. The English Roses, Madonna; illustrated by Jeffrey Fulvimari

5. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, Eoin Colfer

6. Good Night, Sweet Butterflies, Dawn Bentley; illustrated by Heather Cahoon

7. Mr. Peabody's Apples, Madonna; illustrated by Loren Long

8. The Cat in the Hat Movie: Storybook, Justine and Ron Fontes

9. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Ann Brashares

10. Storybook Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends, Grosset & Dunlap

Phoenix Award for Children´s Literature

Established in 1985, the Phoenix is awarded annually to an outstanding book, originally published in English twenty years previously, which did not receive a major award at the time of its publication.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

Young Reader´s Choice Award (North America)

Established in 1940 to promote reading for enjoyment, the Young Reader´s Choice Award recipients are chosen by the children and young adults of Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington. They are nominated, from books published 3 years previously, by librarians, teachers, students and others.

The Youth Division goes to a book for grades 4-8. In 1991, a Senior Division (grades 9-12) was added to the awards program.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.

Newbery Medalists (Children´s books)

Presented annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in the United States in the preceding year. The recipient must be a citizen or resident of the United States. The winner is announced at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting (January/February), and presented at the ALA summer conference.

For a list of winning titles, click Here.