The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. The idea to recognize and honor authors of children's literature was presented by Frederic G. Melcher on June 22, 1921. The proposal was enthusiastically accepted by the American Library Association's (ALA) children's librarians. In 1922, the first Newbery medal was awarded to Hendrik Villem van Loon for his book The Story of Mankind. Today the Newbery Medal continues to recognize the authors of poetry, plays, or novels.
"The John Newbery Medal," American Library Association.
Read a biography of John Newbery from the Major Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults collection, in the Biography: Gale in Context database (off campus SCCCD log in required)
* Note that the majority of the Newbery Medal winners and honor books are not picture books. There is a small selection, however, of Newbery winners on our shelves as well as several fiction books.