Was your book published in 2011? Do you want to enter your book for awards? Some deadlines have passed, but several awards are still accepting submissions. Here are three lists that I created of awards for children’s picture books. I rank the awards as “Best”, “Recommended”, or “Expensive”. Keep in mind these lists are not meant to be comprehensive. There are hundreds of awards out there!
BEST PICTURE BOOK AWARDS
(Organized chronologically by the deadline due date for a book with a 2011 copyright.)
| Year | Name | Deadline | Winners Announced | Minimum Cost |
| 2012 | IRA Teacher’s Choices List/Awards | 7/22/11 | 4/29/12 | FREE |
| 2011 | Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards | 9/17/11 | 10/17/11 | $95 |
| 2012 | Benjamin Franklin Awards | 9/30/2011 or 12/31/11 | 4/1/12 | $90 |
| 2012 | Reader Views Annual Literary Awards | 10/31/11 | 3/25/12 | $75 |
| 2012 | Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award | 12/16/11 | 5/1/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Theodor Seuss Geisel Award | 12/31/11 | 1/15/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Caldecott | 12/31/11 | 1/15/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Notable Children’s Books | 12/31/11 | 1/15/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Gryphon Award | 12/31/11 | 2/1/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) | 12/31/11 | 8/1/12 | FREE |
| 2011 | ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards | 1/13/12 | 5/1/12 | $99 |
| 2012 | Indie Book Awards | 2/24/12 | 5/1/12 | $75 |
| 2012 | Giverny Book Award | 3/1/12 | 4/1/12 | FREE |
| 2012 | Boston-Globe Horn Book Award | 5/15/12 | 6/1/12 | FREE |
Click on the award above to visit its page or learn more about each award on my upcoming blog post entitled: FOURTEEN PICTURE BOOK AWARDS.
RECOMMENDED PICTURE BOOK AWARDS
(Organized chronologically by the deadline due date for a book with a 2011 copyright.)
| Year | Name | Deadline | Winners Announced | Minimum Cost |
| 2012 | Children’s Choices Reading List/Award | 7/22/11 | 4/1/12 | CBC member ship |
| 2011 | Parent’s Choice Awards | 8/22/11 | 11/17/11 | $100 |
| 2011 | USA Best Books Awards | 9/30/11 | 10/31/11 | $69 |
| 2012 | Nautilus Awards | 1/15/12 | 6/1/12 | $155 |
| 2012 | IPPY Award | 3/15/12 | 5/1/12 | $75 |
Click on the award above to visit its page or learn more about each award on my upcoming blog post entitled: FIVE PICTURE BOOK AWARDS YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE.
EXPENSIVE PICTURE BOOK AWARDS
The minimum cost is per title per category. Late entries for the Learning Magazine Awards can cost $225/category.
| Year | Name | Deadline | Winners Announced | Minimum Cost |
| 2012 | Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Awards for the Family | 7/22/11 | 12/2/11 | $195 |
| 2013 | Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Awards for Classroom | ? | ? | $195 |
| 2013 | Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Awards for Children | ? | ? | $195 |
| 2012 | Mom’s Choice Awards | Varies | Varies | $300 |
| 2012 | Children’s Choices Reading List/Award | 7/22/11 | 4/1/12 | CBC member ship |
Learn more about these awards on my upcoming blog post entitled: THE HIGH COST OF ENTERING or AWARDS FOR THE BOTTOMLESS BUDGET.
Most states also give awards for picture books. In order to be considered for a state award, your book must be assigned to the state reading list. Cynthia Leitich Smith compiled a great list of State Awards for Children’s and YA Books.
State Book Awards are also listed at:
http://www.corecollections.net/lib_book_awards.htm
Here is great blog post about evaluating the benefits of literary awards. This post has some great advice. I highly recommend reading it before entering your unpublished (or published) work into a contest:
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2010/12/some-tips-on-evaluating-literary.html
Do you know of an award not listed on this page? Let me know via email: authorvisits @ tammybronson.com.
Tammy Carter Bronson 