From: Kathy Isaacs <kisaacs>
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 21:59:18 -0500

You will be happy to know that this was discussed extensively in this year's Sibert Committee. The criteria for the award read as follows:

**< In identifying the most distinguished informational book for children from the preceding year, committee members consider important elements and qualities:
 
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.
? Appropriate organization and documentation.
? Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.
? Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.
? Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).
? Respectful and of interest to children.

Not every book relies equally on every element. The committee need not find excellence in every element listed above but only in those relevant to the book.
<

We thought that since both language and visual presentation were to be judged, both the author and illustrator (if named on the title page) should receive the medal. We made such a proposal to the ALSC board and it was accepted at Midwinter. It should go into effect for the 2006 Sibert Award (for the books being published this year).

Kathy Isaacs Chair Sibert 2005

Kathleen Horning wrote:
Received on Wed 23 Mar 2005 08:59:18 PM CST