Charlotte and Wilbur Award For Compassion for Animals

Animals share our world. They’re vital to life on Earth.

The Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals will award one winning book and one honor book for their dedication to promoting compassion and respect for animals in their readers.

The winning book will receive a prize of $2,500 and the honor book will receive $1,000. If the winning or honor book is a picture book, the prize will be split between the author and illustrator.

The award also includes the production and distribution of a video school visit for the winning creators, which will be widely distributed in the United States and globally. Following the video presentation, copies of the winning book will be available to schools and classrooms through renowned Los Angeles-based retailer Children’s Book World. Authors and illustrators must submit their own books for consideration.

Of the Award, founder, children’s book author, and animal activist Karen Winnick says: 

“My hope with this award is that young readers learn about animals, so they develop compassion and respect. They will be the generation that saves them.”

Submissions for the Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals are currently closed.

Criteria

- Submissions must be a picture book, chapter book, or middle-grade book (or graphic novel) traditionally or self- published in 2023. Books in translation are welcome.

- The book can be either fiction or nonfiction.

- Books must be submitted by their author, illustrator, or translator to be considered.

Submission Guidelines

To submit, please create a free account with SCBWI by clicking "Log in or Register" in the upper right hand corner.

If you are already a member with a login you can skip this step. Navigate to "Member Home" and click the awards tab. From there, you can apply for the award.

The award will be visible when the award submission period opens.