Two Dance Books Win Prestigious Honors

A few weeks ago, the American Library Association (ALA) announced the winners of the 2010 ALA Youth Media Awards, which include some of the most prestigious awards for children's literature. I was a little late in looking up all the winners, but when I finally did, I was overjoyed to see two nonfiction picture books about dance recognized. 

The ALA awards the Robert F. Sibert Medal each year for the "most distinguished informational book" for children. Only one book can win the actual award, but additional books can be recognized as "honor books" if warranted. (This is true for most if not all of the awards.) Although a nondance book won the actual Sibert Medal this year, Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring was named one of two Sibert Honor Books. 

The Pura Belpre Award is given each year to a Latino author and to a Latino illustrator of books that "best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience." In the author category, George Ancona's Ole Flamenco, which I reviewed a few months ago, was named one of three Pura Belpre Honor Books.    

You can read more about all the 2010 ALA Youth Media Awards, including the famous Newbery and Caldecott Medals, on ALA's website here. You can also find an entertaining blog post focused on the book awards at A Fuse #8 Production. Go dance books!!