CZ Awards & Lectures, Page 2

An overlooked area of potential, award-worthy excellence

 But they leave out one crucial component of children's literature. The Newbery awards excellence in books and writing for older children. The Caldecott awards excellence in the pictures and illustration in books for younger children.  But until 1998, there was no award which recognized the importance of text --- words, writing, concept --- in books for younger children. Just the pictures, through the Caldecott, were deemed worthy of attention and recognition.

This bothered Charlotte for years, not on her own behalf, but on behalf of many authors she admired. It particularly bothered her that the great Margaret Wise Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon (left; a book not edited by Charlotte but by Ursula, and one which has literally touched millions of children, decade after decade) among many other books, never received an award. In her trademark manner --- gentle but absolutely persistent ---  she mentioned it often, not hesitating to speak her mind about what she saw as a grievous lack over the years. 

Enter the CCBC

As the director of CCBC, Ginny Moore Cruse ---  an extraordinarily dedicated teacher of undergraduate children's literature and adult continuing education courses, former public school teacher, school librarian and public librarian, and founder of the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services --- was well aware of Charlotte on several fronts. She knew, loved, had taught and reviewed Charlotte's books, as well as the books Charlotte had edited. She knew Charlotte was an alum of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and had donated many of her papers and manuscripts to the CCBC Collection. And she and Charlotte also knew and liked each other personally, having met collegially at countless conferences and meetings over the years. (Ginny is pictured with the first Charlotte Zolotow Award Committee and the winning books, above. Front row, from left: Margaret Jensen, Kathleen T. Horning, Chair, and Helen Julius. Back row: Laureen Yoshino, Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman.) 

Ginny felt keenly that Charlotte, and her work --- as both editor and writer ---  should be honored in some substantial and lasting way.  She began to work on the idea with her distinguished colleague, Kathleen T. Horning (also pictured above), the librarian and coordinator of Special Collections at the CCBC. Also  wholly dedicated. Kathleen (Katie) was a former children's librarian at the  Madison Public Library, and an author in her own right (From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books, HarperCollins, 1997, and regular reviews for Horn Book magazine). 

But what kind of award would memorialize all Charlotte stands for best? And what would add and strengthen the field of children's literature the most?

The Charlotte Zolotow Award takes shape ...

Here's how it happened, according to Bill Morris (pictured in this photo taken at the first Charlotte Zolotow Lecture; from left Zena Sutherland from Chicago, Illinois; Bill Morris; Jane Botham from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Henrietta Smith from Delray Beach, Florida)

At Robert's suggestion, Ginny, Katie, and the University of Madison's Development Director, John Uselman, came to New York to discuss the idea further. They met with Susan Katz, present-day head of HarperCollins' Children's Book Department, who said, "Give me some more details, and we'll see what we can do." Harpers, too, felt that a Charlotte Zolotow Award would be a fitting tribute, and gave the initial funding that permitted the CCBC to begin developing the award and the idea. 

... and is finally born in 1998

The first Charlotte Zolotow event was held in Madison on October 1, 1998, in the Wisconsin Union Theater, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Dean W. Charles Read of the School of Education  welcomed all, then the premier award was given to Vera B. Williams for Lucky Song (Greenwillow) , with an Honor going to Keiko Kasza for Don't Laugh, Joe! (Putnam). Lastly, poet Karla Kuskin delivered a superb lecture, entitled The Ins and Outs of Words. Afterwards, the group enjoyed homemade ice cream from the milk and cream of the University of Wisconsin's own herd of dairy cows.  (Pictured above, outside the Wisconsin Union Theater. From left: Crescent Dragonwagon, Charlotte Zolotow, Ava Weiss of Greenwillow Books, author Vera B. Williams and CCBC Director Ginny Moore Kruse.)

Here is the CCBC's own description of the award itself: 

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is given annually to the author of the best  picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year. Established in 1998, the award is named to honor the work of Charlotte Zolotow, a distinguished children's book editor for 38 years with Harper Junior Books, and author of more than 65 picture books, including such classic works as Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present (Harper, 1962) and William's Doll (Harper, 1972). Ms. Zolotow attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison on a writing scholarship from 1933-36 where she studied with Professor Helen C. White.

The award is administered by the Cooperative Children's Book Center, a children's literature library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year a committee of children's literature experts selects the winner from the books published in the preceding year. The winner is announced in January each year. A cash prize of $1000 and a bronze medallion are formally presented to the winning author the following October during an annual public event that honors the career of Charlotte Zolotow.

Any picture book for young children (birth through age seven), first published in the United States, written by a U.S. citizen or resident, is eligible for consideration for the Charlotte Zolotow Award. The book may fall into any genre of writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or folklore) as long as it is presented in a picture-book format and aimed at an audience of young children. The committee works with a shortlist of titles, selected by the CCBC professional staff. Committee members may suggest additional titles they think should be included on the shortlist; however, all titles are subject to the approval of the CCBC professional staff. Books written by Charlotte Zolotow are not eligible for the award.

In addition to choosing the award-winning title, the committee may select up to three Honor Books, and up to ten titles to be included on a Highly Commended list that will call attention to outstanding writing in picture books. Authors of these books will receive a certificate citing the honor.

The selection committee is comprised of members of the Friends of the CCBC, Inc. Members are appointed to a two-year term by the CCBC professional staff, based on an individual's knowledge of children's books; a demonstrated ability to evaluate children's books and discuss them critically; and/or direct experience working professionally with children from birth through age seven.

Come to http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/zolotow.htm, the CCBC site, and learn more about past winners, lecturers, and when the next event will be held. You can even download video and audio clips.  The CCBC also maintains a web site on Charlotte at: http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/wisauth/zolotow/main.htm

Here on this site, you may meet some of the above-mentioned  Friends and Colleagues of Charlotte's, and see what they say about working with her.

Charlotte receives 2001 Jeremiah Ludington Award

The Educational Paperback Association (EPA) has named  Charlotte Zolotow recipient of the 2001 Jeremiah Ludington Award, which is given annually to "an individual who has made a significant contribution to the educational paperback business." Ludington honorees are announced at the EPA's annual meeting, and received a framed certificate. The EPA also presents a $1,000 check to the charity of the recipient's choice. Previous Ludington winners include Judy Blume, Beverly Clearly, Jim Trelease, Lois Lowry, Paula Danzinger, and Tomie de Paola.  (The EPA logo, above left).  

An association of publishers and distributors who are reputable, authoritative suppliers of educational paperbacks, prebound books and other materials to the school, library and college market, the EPA was founded in 1975 by Jeremiah Ludington of the Ludington News Company in Detroit, Michigan, and is known as an innovative voice in the paperback book market, representing both U.S. and Canadian distributors and publishers.  Click to learn more about EPA, including previous winners, the current top 100 favorite writers for children, the chance to win free paperback books, and more.


Charlotte has won many awards, but for information on the one she considers her greatest honor, not given to her but awarded in her name, please go The CZ Award.