The Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award is an annual award presented by the Gelett Burgess Center for Creative Expression. Named for
Gelett Burgess
Frank Gelett Burgess (January 30, 1866 – September 18, 1951) was an American artist, art critic, poet, author and humorist. He was an important figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary renaissance of the 1890s, particularly through his ico ...
, an artist and writer famous for his humorous
Goops series (1900-1950), this award recognizes outstanding books that inspire
imagination
Imagination is the production of sensations, feelings and thoughts informing oneself. These experiences can be re-creations of past experiences, such as vivid memories with imagined changes, or completely invented and possibly fantastic scenes ...
and
creativity
Creativity is the ability to form novel and valuable Idea, ideas or works using one's imagination. Products of creativity may be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, Literature, literary work, musical composition, or joke), or a physica ...
, and helps support childhood literacy and lifelong reading.
History
The first award was granted in 2011 when
Pat Mora
Pat Mora (born January 19, 1942) is an American poet and author of books for adults, teens and children. A native of El Paso, Texas
El Paso (; ; or ) is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States. The 2020 United S ...
won Book of the Year with ''Gracias Thanks''. In addition to the Book of the Year and several Burgess Honors, awards are granted each year in 40 categories, within 4 distinct groups: Lifestyle,
Arts and Letters
Arts and letters is a historical and traditional term for arts and literature, implying a comprehensive appreciation or study of visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts or literature. The concept is similar to the liberal arts and has been ...
, Society and Culture, and
Education
Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...
.
[ The resulting list of award-winning titles is promoted throughout the year with additional activity and lesson plan resources made available.
The Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award seal was designed by the artist himself as a child.][ He made an early mark on the world by carving his initials, in the form of a monogram based on the Phoenician alphabet, on nearly every church steeple in Boston. (Author's full name is Frank Gelett Burgess)
]
Eligibility and Criteria
* All English-language titles, North American or International may be submitted as long as the books are available to the general public (i.e., retail outlets, catalog, Amazon or manufacturer websites). Non-English language titles may be submitted to the "Foreign Language Title" category.[
* Entries must be published during the preceding three years.][
]
Recipients
A number of international celebrities have received the Gelett Burgess Children's Book award, including figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchi (born July 12, 1971) is an American former competitive figure skater, author and philanthropist. A former competitor in women's singles, Yamaguchi is the Figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics, 1992 Olympic champion, ...
, comedic actor Jim Carrey
James Eugene Carrey (; born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian and American actor and comedian. Known primarily for his energetic slapstick performances, he has received two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for BAFTA Awards and ...
, and film director John Fusco
John Fusco is an American screenwriter, producer, and television series creator born in Prospect, Connecticut. His screenplays include '' Crossroads'', '' Young Guns'', ''Young Guns II'', ''Thunderheart'', '' Hidalgo'', '' Spirit: Stallion of t ...
.
See also
* Caldecott Medal
The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service ...
* Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contr ...
References
External links
Official websiteTaylor University Article About Award Recipient
American children's literary awards
Picture book awards
Awards established in 2011
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