Handy Topics in the Curriculum Department

will help you locate the different The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award that are in our collections.  Just click on a name to go to the record!

Please note: if a title is not linked, it means that we currently do not have it in our collection.  Please check the Kearney Public Library or consider ordering it from Interlibrary Loan

Every year since 1952, the Book Review has asked a panel of judges to select 10 books from among the several thousand children’s books published that year.

Starting in 2017, the New York Times partnered with the New York Public Library in selecting these titles.  To reflect this change, the name of the award changed to "The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award."

We have gotten many questions about submitting to this award.  Please note that we are in no way involved in this award! 

Instead, please contact the New York Public Library, who may be able to assist you.  Also, it was noted in the 2023 announcement in the New York Times that "Children’s book publishers were invited to submit up to 10 picture books (per imprint) published this year in the United States."

Publishers Weekly has reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award has been cancelled, with plans to resume in 2021