Awards
The USBBY Outstanding International Books (OIB) list is an annual honor list of excellent children's and young adult books published or distributed in the U.S. that originated in other countries, highlighting diverse perspectives and introducing American readers to global authors, with selections announced yearly in School Library Journal and other trade media to promote international understanding through literature.
The Bridge to Understanding Award formally acknowledges the work of individuals and organizations who create programs that use children’s and young adult books to foster cross-cultural understanding. The award is sponsored and awarded by USBBY as one way the organization furthers its mission: The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) is a nonprofit organization devoted to building bridges of international understanding through children’s and young adult books; it serves as the U.S. national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).
Established in memory of Arlene Pillar, an educator who served USBBY as newsletter editor from 1984 until her untimely death in 1990, the Bridge to Understanding Award is funded by the Lesesne Family to share their passion for books and reading that bring a cultural awareness to readers. The award carries a monetary prize of $1,000 and is given biennially.
Established in memory of Arlene Pillar, an educator who served USBBY as newsletter editor from 1984 until her untimely death in 1990, the Bridge to Understanding Award is funded by the Lesesne Family to share their passion for books and reading that bring a cultural awareness to readers. The award carries a monetary prize of $1,000 and is given biennially.
Frequently referred to as the "Little Nobel Prize," the Hans Christian Andersen Medal is awarded biennially to the living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children's literature. Nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Award are made by the National Sections of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The recipients are selected by a distinguished international jury of children's literature specialists.
The Alida Cutts Lifetime Membership Award, given in honor of Alida Cutts, long-time USBBY Executive Secretary, provides a lifetime membership in USBBY and is presented to an individual who has given extraordinary service to USBBY over many years.
The IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Young People with Disabilities, housed in Canada, publishes an annotated, illustrated catalog of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities. USBBY, like other IBBY national sections, regularly nominates books for listing in the Centre's biennial catalog. All submissions are kept in the permanent collection of the IBBY Documentation Centre.