CILIP | Kate Greenaway Award Background

Kate Greenaway Award: Background

As early as 1949 the minutes show discussion took place on the formation of a picture book award.

This was deferred due to a lack of funding. The July 1955 minutes record that “L.A. Council stated that it was not likely that a separate medal for picture books would be awarded this year as Council has referred the matter back to Finance Committee” Another factor was a feeling that the LA needed to improve the handling of the Carnegie medal before taking on another award.

It eventually did begin in 1956 when Edward Ardizzone won for “Tim all alone”. It has been awarded every year since then, except for 1958, to a wide range of artists. In 1958 it was not awarded and work was done on the terms of the award.

There have been 4 occasions when an artist won the award for 2 books in the same year. This started in 1959 when William Stobbs won with “Kashtanka” and also for “A Bundle of Ballads.” This happened again in 1969 when the judges awarded Helen Oxenbury for “The Quangle Wangle’s Hat” and also for “The Dragon of an Ordinary Family”. Victor Ambrus won in 1975 for “Horses in Battle” and also for “Mishka.” More recently, in 1982, Michael Foreman was awarded the Kate Greenaway medal for “Long neck and Thunder foot” and” Sleeping Beauty and other favourite fairy tales.”

In 1996, Peter’s and the LA produced a poster/leaflet that celebrated 150 years of Kate Greenway’s birthday. Some people have won the award more than once over the years. A full list of winners is available here.

Life time achievement book award

Early minutes record the suggestion of another award to recognise life time achievement in children’s book but it was deferred due to cost. It was raised again in 1968 and suggested it be named after Eileen Colwell. It was mentioned again in 1991 but cost still prevented it from being pursued.

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Updated: 06 May 2008

Youth Libraries Group

Kate Greenaway Award: Background