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What is the Ezra Jack Keats Award?

The Ezra Jack Keats award recognizes and encourages authors and illustrators new to the field of children's books who write picture books for children up to age 9.  The selected books portray the universal qualities of childhood, a strong and supportive family, and the multicultural nature of our world.

Who decides the winner?

The New York Public Library and the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation sponsor the award.  The selection committee consists of early childhood education specialists, librarians, illustrators and experts in children's literature.  The Award will be presented at the Keats Awards Celebration in May at the New York Public Library.

When did the award begin?

The Ezra Jack Keats award began in 1985 with the first award given in 1986.Originally, the award was biennial.  In 1999, the award changed to an annual award.  The winner receives a cash award of $1,000. and the Ezra Jack Keats medallion inscribed with the recipient's name.

What special criteria are used to select this award?

The books must be published in the previous year. Books that have not already received awards will be given preference.  The award seeks to encourage new talent, so the author or illustrator will have no more than three children's books previously published.

Illustrator Award will have art work that:

• Creatively and skillfully embodies the essence of the story

• Highlights universal qualities of childhood and strength of the family

• Reflects the multicultural nature of our world

• Unifies illustrations and text

• Avoids stereotypes

• Is respectful of the child's intelligence, sensitivity, curiosity and love of learning

Author Award will have text:

• Highlights universal qualities of childhood and strength of the family

• Reflects the multicultural nature of our world

• Unifies illustrations and text

• Avoids stereotypes

• Is respectful of the child's intelligence, sensitivity, curiosity and love of learning

• Displays freshness and originality of language and literary expression.

Why is it called the Ezra Jack Keats Award?

Ezra Jack Keats was a writer, illustrator and artist.  He illustrated over 85 children's books, and he wrote and illustrated 24 books that became well-known children's classics.  He received the Caldecott Medal in 1963 for The Snowy Day, the first children's book to feature a black kid as the hero. Other popular titles are Goggles, Hi, Cat!, A Letter to Amy, and Louie.

What does the award look like?

A golden circle with centered red figure of Keats's character Peter from The Snowy Day.  Above the red boy is the top-of-the-world symbol depicted with latitude and longitude lines.  Beneath the figure are the embossed words "Ezra Jack Keats Book Award."