bridge to understanding award

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.   
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The award carries a monetary prize of $1,000 and is given biennially.  

award details and application

Ideological Framework: 
The Award Committee appreciates that culture is a complex, varied, and often-contested construction of the human experience.  Programs appropriate for the award help develop the skills of literacy while fostering an appreciation for literature.  Programs may be based on any of a wide variety of cultural perspectives and contexts.   

Book Selection: 
Books used in the program may include both fiction and non-fiction from any genre and format, including poetry.  However, the general expectation is that children will be introduced to quality literature as a catalyst for cultural exploration and understanding.  It is hoped that this challenge will be interpreted in many different ways, thus encouraging educators, scholars, administrators, community leaders, and others to find new avenues through which children can see themselves and the world around them.

Finding quality international and cross-cultural children’s literature can be a genuine challenge.  To help in that regard,  USBBY works with publishers throughout the world to access, share, and review the best new books for children.  The result is an annual list of Outstanding International Books (OIB).  The USBBY website contains a searchable database of past and present OIB lists, plus links to many other resources.  

Timeframe & Participants:  
Programs considered for the award may be a one-time event, or an ongoing series of events, that serve children ranging in age from kindergarten through tenth grade. To be eligible, programs should be current (completed or begun no more than a year before application).  

Deadline:  
The award is given every other year to coincide with the IBBY Regional Conference hosted by USBBY.  Please submit a completed application and supporting materials by May 1, 2025 to be considered.

past winners