Awarding Book Art

I am always excited each year to learn about the books chosen to receive awards for their artistic content. It is a habit of mind to note each year’s winners as well as runner ups. As a book collector, I have found many treasures studying these award lists.

There are several awards given for book art each year. Some are local, some regional and some international. The following are just a few of the awards that I feel are noteworthy:

The Caldecott Medal

This annual aware given by the Children’s and School Librarians Sections of the American Library Association each year is one of my favorites. If you have an interest in picture books for children that also contain excellent art, this is one award you will want to check out.

The Coretta Scott King Award

The purpose of this book award is for authors and illustrators to encourage through artistic expression the African American experience. This not only includes the graphic arts but also literature.


The Independent Publishers Book Award

This award also known as IPPY award is open for competition worldwide to all members of independent publishing industry who produce books in English for the North American Market. This award is sponsored by Independent Publisher and includes participation of about 2,000 university presses, museums and other small presses each year in the U.S. and Canada.


The Inkwell Arts Award

The Inkwell Arts Award organization promotes and educates the art form of comic book inking. They annual recognize and award the best ink arts and their work. The awards are given for inking, the art of enhancing an illustration through the means of redrawing pencil lines with ink and its related tools.


It is probably no coincidence that many of the top honored books have the same illustrator and author. Talented artists can also be great writers. A very simple method for discovering the best art work in books being produced today would be to look at the awards presented each year for excellence.



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