If you follow Guessing Geisel, you are probably already noting distinguished beginning readers published this year. Now is the time to send your suggestions for the Theodor Geisel Book Award to me, Jean Gaffney, 2020 Geisel Award Committee Chair, by December 31: jeangaffney@gmail.com.
As most are aware, the Geisel Award is given to a distinguished beginning reader published in the preceding year, in this case published in 2019. Through literary and artistic achievement, the book should demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading. The specific criteria for the award is available here. The Geisel winner and honor titles are announced at the Youth Media Awards at 8:00 am on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Midwinter Conference in Philadelphia. Both the author and illustrator receive the award.
The 2020 Geisel Award committee includes seven members: Ernie Cox (IA), Denise Davila (TX), Jean Gaffney (OH), Melody Leung (WA), Sara Pope (TX), Kelly Finan Richards (MD), and Barbara Spears (MD). Jamie Campbell Naidoo, 2018-2019 ALSC President, appointed this Geisel committee which includes people with varied expertise, interests, concerns for diversity and equity, and live throughout the country.
I have served on three other ALSC book award committees (Caldecott, Newbery and Seibert) and continually notice how the Geisel Award committee differs. The criteria for the Geisel are more specific and a few examples of specific criteria are:
- New words are added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience.
- There is a minimum of 24 pages. Books are not longer than 96 pages.
- The design of the book includes attention to size of typeface, and uncluttered background that sets off text, appropriate line length, and placement of illustrations.
- The text of the book must be directed at readers from Pre-K through Grade 2.
Sometimes I am struck by how a book sent to me for Geisel Award consideration might be perfect for one of the other award committees, but the focus must be on if the title is suited for the Geisel Award with its specific criteria. Not every point of criteria has to be met but all should be kept in mind while evaluating possible titles.
A procedure that varies from other book award committees is that the Geisel Committee discusses both suggested and nominated titles at the ALA Midwinter Conference whereas with most other ALSC book award committees only nominated titles are discussed at Midwinter. Book award committee members suggest possible titles each month from April through December. Geisel nominations are limited to three titles per member and are done only during two months in the fall compared to nominations which are done during three months in the fall with most of the other ALSC book award committees. With nominations, committee members have to write a short justification for the recommended title. The suggestions and nominations process helps the committee narrow down the number of titles to a winner and some honor titles after nearly a year of study.
In conclusion, I leave you with a few thoughts on promoting the Geisel Award. Remember to encourage others to include Geisel Award books when recommending great titles for kindergarten through 2nd grade. Use them in programs, projects and during class visits. Be proactive about putting Geisel Award stickers on the copies of winners in your library; order stickers at: http://www.ala.org/tools/publications.
Beginning reader titles have some of the highest turnover rates of books in public libraries. I checked with Erin Wen, the Children’s Selection Specialist at Dayton Metro Library (OH) local to where I live, and she reported that general beginning readers have a turnover rate about twice as high as regular picture books. The beginning reader collection is a small collection compared to picture books. Beginning independent readers are some of the most enthusiastic patrons in the library. These are good reasons to reserve budget to reorder beginning readers and keep this collection fresh and enticing for the new readers discovering beginning readers for the first time. Promoting Geisel Award winners and refreshing the beginning reader collection exposes your patrons to the best and most engaging in beginning reader literature.
The current Geisel Committee is on full speed ahead during the next eight weeks as we approach ALA Midwinter Conference. Members are receiving books to consider in the mail just about every day. Soon everyone will be doing our last suggestions and nominations of the year. Then we will move on to rereading and fine tuning our notes in preparation for in-depth books discussions at our meetings at the Midwinter Conference. It is exciting to be involved in Geisel selection. The committee invites you to be part of the excitement by sending any suggestions you might have to jeangaffney@gmail.com.
Today’s Guest Blogger is Jean Gaffney. Jean is the retired Director of Collection Development at the Dayton Metro Library (OH), and is the chair of the 2020 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award committee.
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: IV. Knowledge, Curation, and Management of Materials.