Established in 2004, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. The winner(s) receive a bronze medal (honor book authors and illustrators receive certificates) at the ALA Annual Conference. award was established in 2004 and first presented in 2006

The award is named for Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....

: "Children want the same things we want: to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted." The award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children

Association for Library Service to Children

The Association for Library Service to Children is a division of the American Library Association. Its members are concerned with the profession of children's Librarianship...

 (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association

American Library Association

The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....

 (ALA).

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.

Recipients

Year	Author	Illustrator	Title	Citation
2011	Kate DiCamillo Kate DiCamillo Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo is an American children's author. She is known for the Newbery Medal-winning book The Tale of Despereaux, the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, and the Mercy Watson series, plus numerous other award-winning and honored books.-Early life:Born in...  and Alison McGhee Alison McGhee Alison McGhee is an American author of books for all ages. She has published several picture books, books for children, and adult novels...	Tony Fucile	Bink and Gollie	Winner
2011	Grace Lin Grace Lin Grace Lin is a children's author, and illustrator.She grew up in New York. Her parents are Taiwanese immigrants to the United States.She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design.She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.-Awards:...	Grace Lin Grace Lin Grace Lin is a children's author, and illustrator.She grew up in New York. Her parents are Taiwanese immigrants to the United States.She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design.She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.-Awards:...	Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same!	Honor
2011	Mo Willems Mo Willems Mo Willems is an American writer, animator, and children's books author/illustrator.-Early life:Willems was raised in New Orleans, where he graduated from Trinity Episcopal School and the Isidore Newman School. He graduated cum laude from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He married...	Mo Willems Mo Willems Mo Willems is an American writer, animator, and children's books author/illustrator.-Early life:Willems was raised in New Orleans, where he graduated from Trinity Episcopal School and the Isidore Newman School. He graduated cum laude from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He married...	We Are in a Book!	Honor
2010			Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!	Winner
2010			I Spy Fly Guy!	Honor
2010			Little Mouse Gets Ready	Honor
2010			Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends	Honor
2010			Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day	Honor
2009			Are You Ready to Play Outside	Winner
2009			Chicken Said, ‘Cluck!’	Honor
2009			One Boy	Honor
2009			Stinky	Honor
2009			Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator	Honor
2008			There is a Bird on Your Head	Winner
2008			First the Egg	Honor
2008			Hello, Bumblebee Bat	Honor
2008			Jazz Baby	Honor
2008			Vulture View	Honor
2007			Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways	Winner
2007			Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride is the second book in the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen and published by Candlewick Press in 2006, it won a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book for 2007. In it, Mercy Watson, a pig, goes on many rides with her "parents", Mr. and...	Honor
2007			Move Over, Rover!	Honor
2007			Not a Box	Honor
2006			Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas	Winner
2006			Hi! Fly Guy	Honor
2006				Honor
2006			Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa	Honor
2006			Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day	Honor

Recipients of Multiple Medals and Honors

• Laura Vaccaro Seeger
  Laura Vaccaro Seeger
  Laura Vaccaro Seeger is an American author and artist of children's books.Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator and the recipient of a 2008 Caldecott Honor, a 2008 Geisel Honor, a 2007 New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award, and the 2007 Boston Globe-Horn...
  
   was honored in 2008 and 2009.
• Mo Willems
  Mo Willems
  Mo Willems is an American writer, animator, and children's books author/illustrator.-Early life:Willems was raised in New Orleans, where he graduated from Trinity Episcopal School and the Isidore Newman School. He graduated cum laude from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He married...
  
   won in 2008 and 2009. He was also honored in 2011.
• Tedd Arnold
  Tedd Arnold
  Tedd Arnold is a children's book writer and illustrator. He has written over 50 books, and he has won the "Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor" for his book "Hi! Fly Guy!". He currently lives in Elmira, New York, United States. He worked as a commercial illustrator before beginning his career writing...
  
  was honored in 2006 and 2010.