Theodor Geisel Award

Origins:

The award is named for the world-renowned children’s author, Theodor Geisel. "A person’s a person no matter how small," Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, would say. "Children want the same things we want: to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted." Brilliant, playful, and always respectful of children, Dr. Seuss charmed his way into the consciousness of four generations of youngsters and parents. In the process, he helped them to read. The award itself was first established in 2004, but not actually presented until two years later.

Criteria for this award:

Since 2006, The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award has been given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. The winner(s), recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading, receives a bronze medal. Honor Book authors and illustrators receive certificates, which are presented at the ALA Annual Conference.

Commonality found in these books:

The common theme found in these books is the theme of friendship. In, Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa, and Hi! Fly Guy all of the protagonist are children and have an animal or insect as a best friend to carry on there adventure. And in A Splendid Friend, Indeed and There is a Bird on your Head! the protagonist and the best firend seem to be both animals but the common theme of firendship still exists.

Award Link: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward/index.cfm

2006 Medal Winner

Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Suçie Stevenson

Henry and his family go to visit his great grandfather at a retirement home one summer day. That day Henry and the great grandpas set out for a fun summer day.

2006 Honor Book

Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

A boy in search of a pet to enter into a contest finds himself a fly with lots of personality.

2006 Honor Books

A Splendid Friend, Indeed

A diligent polar bear try’s to read, write and think silently while a very energetic goose try’s to capture his attention.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa written by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Cowgirl Kate and her hungry horse Cocoa share each others company out on the farm.

http://books.google.com/books?id=XLfXCxjs-vkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Cowgirl+Kate+and+Cocoa#PPT16,M1

2008 Medal Winner

There is a Bird on your Head! Written by Mo Willems

Piggie and Elephant are hanging out like any other day. Piggie then notices that birds are nesting on top of her friend Geralds' head. When Gerald notices that birds are on his head he panics and turns to piggie for help.

2008 Honor Winner Books

First the Egg written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

In an unrelated series of pictures one event happens after another.

Hello, Bumblebee Bat written by Darrin Lunde

A traveling bat named Bumblebee is answering a series of facts about himself.

Jazz Baby Written by Lisa Wheeler

A rhythmic family that enjoys making music lyrics inside a home have a baby that also joins in on the rhythms’.