Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award
Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award
The Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award aims to promote an appreciation of quality literature in young children across Kansas. The award is named for Kansas native and ESU alumni Bill Martin Jr, the internationally renowned author best known for his classic text Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See?
Deborah Underwood, author of Every Little Letter, was named winner of the 2022 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award.
The nominees for the 2023 award are included here.
The Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award was established in 1996 by the Kansas Reading Association. Since March 2018, the award became a state-wide award presented by Emporia State University. The purpose of the award is to promote an appreciation of quality literature in young children across Kansas. The award is named for Bill Martin, Jr., American educator and author of more than 300 children's books.
Each year, the titles are suggested by teachers, parents, communities, and librarians. A committee chooses nominations from the list of suggested titles.
Please contact Heather Caswell, BMJ award chairperson, with any questions.