William & Mary Libraries has joined with the Library of Virginia to present a new award recognizing excellence in children’s literature with an emphasis on Virginia.

The Children’s Virginia Literary Award encompasses fiction and nonfiction picture books through middle-grade works, with recommended reading levels of up to age 12. Books by Virginia authors or books set in Virginia will be considered.

For the first award, the books must have been published in 2023.

“It is intended to be an annual award,” explained Carrie Cooper, dean of W&M Libraries. The $2,500 prize “is made possible by a recent endowment specifically to recognize Virginia writers.”

“Children’s books are critical to a child’s learning and growth,” she added. “They support language development, creativity and curiosity, and help children learn about themselves, others and the world around them.”

Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway said the partnership with William & Mary is important because the new award “elevates awareness of these wonderful books” produced within children’s literature by Virginians and or about Virginia.

Nominations can be made through March 31 at the Library of Virginia’s website at lva.virginia.gov/public/litawards/childrens-literature.htm. Up to five finalists, judged by an independent panel, will be announced in July.

The new children’s award will be presented with other state literary awards at the Library of Virginia’s annual event honoring Virginia writers and their contributions to literature. This year’s celebration will be on Oct. 19.

Since 1997 awards have been presented to Virginia authors in the categories of fiction and poetry and to nonfiction authors for works also about a Virginia subject. Readers and book lovers are invited to vote for their favorites for the People’s Choice Awards for fiction and nonfiction. Voting for the 2023 winners has closed, but the nominees can be seen on the Library of Virginia’s website.

The Library of Virginia also has presented a Literary Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize Virginia authors who have had an “enduring influence.” Past recipients include Earl Hamner, Barbara Kingsolver, Rita Dove, John Grisham, Tom Wolfe and David Baldacci.

Wilford Kale, [email protected]