USBBY
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    • Bridges Newsletter
    • Bridges to Understanding Book Series
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    • Jella Lepman Autobiography
  • Awards & Lists
    • Bridge to Understanding Award
    • IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award
    • Alida Cutts Lifetime Membership Award
    • Outstanding International Books List
    • Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities List
The Bridge to Understanding Award formally acknowledges the work of adults who create programs that use children's books to explore cultures around the world in order to promote international understanding among children.

bridge to understanding award

This prestigious award was established in memory of Arlene Pillar, an educator who served USBBY as newsletter editor from 1984 until her untimely death in 1990. Organizations eligible for the award include schools, libraries, scout troops, clubs, and bookstores. The program may be a one-time event, or an ongoing series of events, that serves children ranging in age from kindergarten through tenth grade. The award carries a monetary prize of $1000 and a certificate. Programs that win the award are based in a broad understanding of culture as ways of living and being in the world, and go beyond the surface features of a culture, such as food, fashion, folklore, famous people, and festivals.

how to apply

USBBY is seeking applicants for the Bridge to Understanding Award. The selection committee will consider such criteria as the care with which books are selected and presented to children in the program, the depth of cultural understanding that the program supports, the number of children reached by the program, and the impact on the community as demonstrated by publicity coverage or anecdotal evidence. To be considered, the program must have occurred within the year prior to submission for award consideration. A powerpoint explaining the criteria is available here.

An application and guidelines are available here, or from the USBBY Secretariat, 5202 Old Orchard Road, Suite 300, Skokie, IL 60077. Email: secretariat@usbby.org. Phone: (224) 233-2030. 

​The annual deadline for submission is September 15. The award will be presented at the annual ILA, ALA, or NCTE Convention, a regional IBBY conference, or at a mutually agreeable place and time.

past winners

2013
Promoting Global Awareness in Second Graders

2011
The Friendship Journey, Nativity School of Cincinnati, OH

2010
​Kids Share Workshops,
Vermont

The United States Board on Books for Young People

The U.S. National Section of International Board on Books for Young People
​
Building Bridges Through Children's and Young Adult Books
Contact Us

​USBBY Secretariat
​Center for Teaching through Children´s Books
National Louis University
1000 Capitol Drive
Wheeling, IL  60090  
​USA


V. Ellis Vance, Executive Director Executive.Director@usbby.org

Connect With Us

​© COPYRIGHT 2018.
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • USBBY
    • Patrons, Sponsors, and Partnerships
    • Twinning Partners
    • IBBY
  • Get Involved
    • Join / Renew Your Membership
    • Donate
    • Matching Challenge
    • Shop to Support USBBY
    • Volunteer with a Committee
    • Become a State Ambassador
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Regional Conference
    • Co-Sponsored Sessions
  • Projects & Publications
    • Bridges Newsletter
    • Bridges to Understanding Book Series
    • International Children's Book Day
    • Jella Lepman Autobiography
  • Awards & Lists
    • Bridge to Understanding Award
    • IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award
    • Alida Cutts Lifetime Membership Award
    • Outstanding International Books List
    • Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities List