The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for Beginning Reader Books

Since 2006, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award has been awarded annually "to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books published in the United States during the preceding year." (American Library Association ALSC site). Each annual Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is administered by a committee appointed by the president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Author(s) and illustrator(s) who are citizens or residents of the United States are eligible for the award.

The award is named after Theodor Geisel, known to generations of children and their families as Dr. Seuss.

“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.” (ALA ALSC Award site)

And the 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal Winner Is . . .

The 2008 Medal Winner is There Is a Bird on Your Head, an Elephant and Piggie beginning reader, which was written and illustrated by Mo Willemsand published by Hyperion. (Compare prices.) According to the , “Willems' balanced design of color-coordinated speech bubbles, expressive cartoon art and familiar vocabulary create an engaging, laugh-out-loud experience for young readers. The charming characters, whimsical tone and accessible language come together in this fresh and memorable celebration of friendship.”

2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Books

In addition to the Medal winner, the awards committee selected four 2008 Honor Books:

• First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter) Compare prices.
• Hello, Bumblebee Bat, written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Charlesbridge) Compare prices.
• Jazz Baby, written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Harcourt) Compare prices.
• Vulture View, written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt) Compare prices.

Previous Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winners

2007 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Medal Winner:

• Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways by Laura McGee Kvasnosky (Candlewick) Compare prices.

2007 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Books:

• Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick Press) Compare prices.
• Move Over, Rover! , written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by Jane Dyer (Harcourt) Compare prices.
• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (HarperCollins) Compare prices.

2006 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Medal Winner:

• Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Suçie Stevenson (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) Compare prices.

2006 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Books:

• Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (Cartwheel Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.) Compare prices.
• A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom (Boyds Mills Press) Compare prices.
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa, written by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Betsy Lewin (Harcourt, Inc.) Compare prices.
• Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day, written by Jean Van Leeuwen and illustrated by Ann Schweninger (Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group) Compare prices.

If your child is ready for beginning readers, the books honored through the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award provide an excellent resource. These enjoyable books, at the appropriate reading level for a beginning reader, will provide a gentle introduction to the joys of independent reading.