Today was supposed to be the Newbery Caldecott Legacy Banquet — the big celebration of children’s books at the ALA Annual Conference which honors some of the best of the best in children’s books which were published last year. As we all know, due to the pandemic, the “in person” conference was cancelled this year, and with it, the “in person” Banquet. But never fear! ALA has come up with an astounding day celebrating even more books for youth in an all day celebration! It’s The ALA Book Award Celebration! And that day is TODAY!
Read on for for more information from the official ALA anouncement which gives all the details:
The American Library Association (ALA) is offering an exciting new free all-day virtual event celebrating the winners of several of its major book awards, including the esteemed Newbery and Caldecott medals, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the Printz Award, and the Stonewall youth and adult Book Awards.
Beginning at 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, June 28, 2020, on ALA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AmLibraryAssociation, The ALA Book Award Celebration will serve as an opportunity for the association to showcase its book award celebrations that traditionally take place during the ALA Annual Conference. This is a free event that highlights youth and adult selections administered by ALA units, division, and round tables does not require registration.
ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Booklist Magazine, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), along with Belpré Award co-sponsor, The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA) have organized a brand new virtual celebration to honor award winning authors, illustrators, publishers, and producers.
Pre-recorded videos from book award winners will premiere for the first time throughout the day, according to the times designated by the schedule below. Viewers can watch live and share comments in chat, or view event videos on ALA’s YouTube channel soon after their premiere.
Click the premiere time to go directly to the video’s watch page.
9 a.m. CT – Coretta Scott King Book Awards
10:30 a.m. CT – Batchelder, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media, Geisel and Sibert Awards
Noon CT – Stonewall Book Awards
2 p.m. CT – Belpré Celebración
3:30 p.m. CT – Odyssey Award Ceremony
5 p.m. CT – Printz Award Ceremony
7 p.m. CT – Newbery and Caldecott Medals and Children’s Literature Legacy Award Virtual Banquet
The event will also highlight a variety of award-winning books at 11:15 a.m. CT, including winning selections and ceremony information from the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Sydney Taylor Book Award, and the American Indian Youth Literature Award .
Book lovers from around the world are expected to participate and are encouraged to hold watch parties and post photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration. Viewer social media posts will be automatically entered into giveaways taking place during the celebration.
To learn more about the event and participating authors, illustrators, and producers, please follow the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration on Twitter.