• Images
• Videos
• Documents
• Books
• Articles

Criteria

• The book must encourage and support the beginning reader.
• The book must be published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
• There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it will be original and function successfully as a book for beginning readers.
• The author(s) or illustrator(s) must be citizens or residents of the United States.
• The "author(s) and illustrator(s)" may include co-authors and co-illustrators. The author(s) and illustrator(s) may be awarded the medal posthumously.
• The text must be directed at readers from pre-K through Grade 2.
• The illustrations must function as keys or clues to the text.
• Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry are all eligible.
• Reprints and compilations are not eligible.
• Subject matter must be intriguing enough to motivate the child to read.
• The book may or may not include short "chapters."
• New words should be added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience.
• Words should be repeated to ensure knowledge retention.
• Sentences must be simple and straightforward.
• There must be a minimum of 24 pages.
• Books may not be longer than 96 pages.
• The illustrations must demonstrate the story being told.
• The book creates a successful reading experience, from start to finish.
• The plot advances from one page to the next and creates a "page-turning" dynamic.

⁴

Recipients

Multiple awards

• Tedd Arnold received honors in 2006, 2010, and (with Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss) 2018.
• Cece Bell received honors in 2013 and 2020.
• Dori Hillestad Butler received honors in 2018 and 2019.
• Kate DiCamillo won the 2011 award (with co-author Alison McGhee and illustrator Tony Fucile). She received an honor in 2007.
• Jonathan Fenske received honors in 2016 and 2022.
• Kevin Henkes received honors in 2014 and 2016.
• Paul Meisel received honors in 2012 and 2018.
• David Milgrim received honors in 2017 and 2019.
• Greg Pizzoli won the 2014 award. He received honors in 2017 and 2020.
• Antoinette Portis received honors in 2007 and 2023.
• Sergio Ruzzier received honors in 2019 and 2023.
• Cynthia Rylant won the award in 2006 and received an honor in 2015.
• Laura Vaccaro Seeger received honors in 2008 and 2009.
• Corey R. Tabor won the award three times, in 2019, 2022, and 2024, and the honor in 2025.
• Mo Willems won the 2008 and 2009 awards. He received honors in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

See also

• "(Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award winners and honor books, 2006–present". ALSC. ALA. Retrieved 2013-06-24.

References

1. "Theodor Seuss Geisel Award | Association for Library Service to Children". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geisel ↩

2. "Theodor Seuss Geisel Award | Association for Library Service to Children". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geisel ↩

3. "Theodor Seuss Geisel Award | Association for Library Service to Children". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geisel ↩

4. "Theodor Seuss Geisel Award | Association for Library Service to Children". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geisel ↩

5. "(Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award winners and honor books, 2006 - present". ALSC. Retrieved 15 October 2018. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward/geiselawardpastwinners ↩