Awards for Poetry Picture Books

Best Children’s Books of the Year (list)

Bank Street College

In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.

Nonfiction titles are further evaluated for accuracy and clarity. Each book accepted for the list is read and reviewed by at least two committee members and then discussed by the committee as a whole. More about the award ▹

Focus

• literary merit
• illustration
• design
• diversity
• picture book
• poetry
• fiction
• nonfiction

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

The Horn Book, Inc.

The prize is awarded yearly in three categories, picture book, fiction and poetry, and nonfiction, with two honor books in each category. Winners are chosen from books published in the United States, though writers and illustrators need not be American citizens. Books are evaluated by a panel of three judges. More about the award ▹

Focus

• fiction
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry

Children’s Literary Classics (CLC Awards)

Literary Classics International

Literary Classics wishes to honor excellence in children’s and young adult literature, encourage a passion for reading, and promote education, imagination and character. They give awards in nearly 100 categories. Literary Classics also offers reviews. More about the award ▹

Focus

• children
• eBook
• fiction
• middle grade
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry
• self-published
• unpublished
• YA

The Christophers

The Christophers

The mission of The Christophers is to encourage people of all ages, and from all walks of life, to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference in the world. More about the award ▹

Focus

• author
• biography
• children
• early reader
• fiction
• illustrator
• middle grade
• nonfiction
• picture books
• poetry
• YA

The Claudia Lewis Award

Bank Street College

The Claudia Lewis Award, given for the first time in 1998, honors the late Bank Street College faculty member Claudia Lewis. She served on the Children’s Book Committee and loved poetry. The award is given for the best poetry book of the year. More about the award ▹

Focus

• middle grade
• poetry
• picture book
• YA

Cybils Awards

Children and Young Adults Bloggers Literary Awards

The Cybils Awards aims to recognize the children’s and young adult authors and illustrators whose books combine literary merit and popular appeal. They say, “If some la-di-dah awards can be compared to brussels sprouts, and other, more populist ones to gummy bears, we’re thinking more like organic chicken nuggets. We’re yummy and nutritious.” More about the award ▹

NOTE: For 2020, the Cybils have temporarily suspended poetry as its own category. Books of poetry will be considered within the picture book category. (The same for books of poetry aimed at Middle Grade and YA readers) Sign up here to get updates to the awards list.

Focus

• audiobook
• app
• board book
• early reader
• fiction
• graphic novel
• middle grade
• picture book
• poetry
• speculative fiction
• YA

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

Pennsylvania Center for the Book and the Penn State University Libraries

This is an annual award for an American poet or anthologist for the best new book of poetry for children published during the previous calendar year. The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award was first given in 1993. More about the award ▹

Focus

• anthology
• children
• middle grade
• picture book
• poetry

Mathical Prize

Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) & Partners

The Mathical Book Prize aims to inspire a love of mathematics in the everyday world in children of all ages. They consider all kinds of books "as the intersection between literature and mathematics" The selection panel can include librarians, teachers, mathematicians, early childhood experts, and others. There are five grade-level categories: PreK, K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. More about the award ▹

Focus

• biography
• English
• mathematics
• nonfiction
• novel
• picture book
• poetry
• puzzle book
• Spanish fiction
• Spanish-translation
• STEM
• United States

Moonbeam Childrens Book Awards

Publishing services company Jenkins Group and IndependentPublisher.com

This is a contest for published books, though an ISBN is not required and galleys can be submited if finished copies aren’t yet available. Publishers select the category or categories for their titles. Authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children's books are welcome to enter their books. Books should be written in English and Spanish and intended for the North American market. More about the award ▹

Focus

• activity book
• board book
• book with merchandise
• children
• early reader
• English
• fiction
• graphic novel
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry
• religion/spirituality
• Spanish
• United States
• YA

New Voices Award

LEE & LOW BOOKS

The New Voices Award is given to a picture book manuscript by an unpublished author of color. The winning author gets a cash prize and a a publishing contract. Established in 2000, the NEW VOICES AWARD encourages writers of color to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. More about the award ▹

Focus

• diversity
• fiction
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry
• unpublished
• writer

Notable Children’s Books

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

The Notable Children’s Books selection committee selects, annotates, & presents for publication the annual list of notable children's books of the preceding year. Notable is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways. More about the award ▹

Focus

• literary merit
• originality
• illustration
• design
• clarity
• fiction
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People

The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College

The Poetry Center is looking for the most outstanding poetry book for young people, and offer a $500. award. One book will be selected in the following age categories, Pre-K–Grade 3; Grades 4–6; Grades 7–12. More about the award ▹

Focus

• poetry
• children
• picture book
• middle grade
• YA

The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards

Story Monsters, llc

This is a worldwide book competition to recognize and honor accomplished authors and newly published writers. Story Monsters focuses on stories that are original, innovative and creative in both content and design. 55 categories for books and marketing collateral such as bookmarks and media kits. A winner will not be awarded in each category, a book must earn a minimum score of 55 out of 80 judge’s points. More about the award ▹

Focus

• author
• chapter books
• creativity
• design
• diversity
• e-book
• fiction
• illustrator
• middle grade
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry
• science
• science fiction
• self-published
• YA
• youth author
• youth illustrator

Southwest Book Awards

Border Regional Library Association

Books must be about the Southwest, West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. The library association will judge the quality of books against the other entries and all of southwestern literature. Poetry and fiction must reflect Southwestern culture and/or be set in the Southwest. More about the award ▹

Focus

• regional: Southwest
• print
• nonprint
• nonfiction
• picture book
• poetry
• fiction
• reference
• new title