Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given for the most distinguished book for beginning readers. This year's winner is "There Is a Bird on Your Head," written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

Gerald the elephant discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head-- two birds on your head! Piggie will try to help her best friend. (ages 4-6)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

"Vulture View," written by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by Steve Jenkins.

Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don't hunt--they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature's clean-up crew. In her signature poetic, energetic style, acclaimed nature writer April Pulley Sayre introduces young readers to the world of the turkey vulture. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Steve Jenkins capture these birds in all their surprising majesty. (ages 5-8)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

"Jazz Baby," written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin' baby gets his whole family singing and dancing. Things wind down when Mama and Daddy sing blues so sweet. Now a perfectly drowsy baby sleeps deep, deep, "deep." (ages 3-7)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

"Hello, Bumblebee Bat," written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne

Seventeen cultures, seventeen gorgeous babies. Appealing color photographs depict diverse traditions and showcase clothing worn by babies from around the world. A simple narrative helps demonstrate that no matter how different babies appear, they are all very much alike--nurtured and loved by those who care for them. (ages 3-6)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

"First the Egg," written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

The acclaimed author of "Black? White? Day? Night?" gives an entirely fresh presentation of the concepts of transformation and creativity in this book with simple die-cuts that magically present change from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, and caterpillar to butterfly. (ages 4-6)

Robert F. Sibert Medal

The Robert F. Sibert Medal is for the most distinguished informational book for children. This year's winner is "The Wall: Growing Up Behind The Iron Curtain," written and illustrated by Peter Sis.

In his most personal work to date, award-winning author Peter Sis offers a brilliant graphic memoir, taking readers on an extraordinary journey as he recals his youth growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, when his country was on the Communist side of the Iron Curtain. (ages 8-12)

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

"Nic Bishop Spiders," written and illustrated by Nic Bishop

Bishop's amazing trademark images show the beauty and other worldliness of spiders. Simple, engaging text conveys basic information about spiders as well as cool and quirky facts. (ages 4-8)

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

"Lightship," written and illustrated by Brian Floca

Lightships once served where lighthouses could not be built. They helped to guide sailors safely through the fog. (ages 4-7)