The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award presented to authors for their outstanding lifetime contribution to children’s literature has been awarded to Tomie dePaola. The award was created by the American Library Association in the 1950s as they realized many outstanding children’s writers failed to be given the honor of a Newbery book. They decided by unanimous decision to give the first medal (1954) to Laura Ingalls Wilder and name the award for her. Garth Williams designed the medal. The one presented to Laura is currently on display in the Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch of the Wright County (MO) Library in Mansfield, Missouri.
The award was originally presented every 5 years, but was increased first to every 3 years and now is given every other year.
Read more about the award in the Chicago Tribune. The American Library Association also has a nice section on dePaola–an outstanding choice for the award–and the medal in general.
Award winners always accept with speeches. For recordings or transcripts of speeches from previous winners, follow the instructions below. The speech for the winner of the Wilder Award is included with the Newbery/Caldecott winners on years it is given.
Can I purchase a tape or CD of the Newbery/Caldecott Award speeches?
Recordings of the Newbery and Caldecott acceptance speeches given from 1977 to present are available through the ALSC Office. Each cassette contains both speeches; the Wilder acceptance speech is also included for years in which that award is given. (Beginning with 2004, the speeches are available solely on CD. Earlier speeches are on cassette only.) Recordings are each $5 (CDs) or $2 (tapes); while supplies last. To order, contact the ALSC Office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2163, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Where can I get a paper copy of the Newbery/Caldecott Award speeches?
The Newbery and Caldecott speeches are published each year in the Summer/Fall issue of Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children and in the July/August issue of The Horn Book Magazine. Check your local library for copies of these publications.
Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube and Blog Talk Radio