(Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award: Significance explained

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American Library Association

In an interview with Ann Cannon for the Salt Lake Tribune, librarian Carla Morris answers questions about the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award.

Awarded annually since 2006, the Geisel Award is given to an author and illustrator for the “most distinguished contribution for beginning readers” published in English in the United States during the previous year.

“The winner receives a bronze medal, and the Honor Book authors and illustrators receive certificates, which are presented at the American Library Association Conference each January.”

Medal winners include Up! Tall! And High! by Ethan Long in 2013, Tales for Very Picky Eaters by John Schneider in 2012, Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo in 2011, Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes in 2010, Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems in 2009, There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems in 2008, Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways by Laura McGee Kvanosky in 2007 and Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant in 2006.

Morris chaired the 2013 Geisel Committee. Its six members and one chair are appointed by the president of the Association for Library Service to Children.

Asked about the selection process for the 2013 award, Morris explained, “We each received about 300 books from various publishers who felt their books were candidates for the award. We also had the mandate to seek out books from local authors and publishers, as well as self-published books.”