NESCBWI Virtual Shop Talk: Learn About the Sydney Taylor Book Awards

Learn About the Sydney Taylor Book Awards As writers and illustrators of books for youth, you may already know about the Caldecott, Newbery, Printz, and Legacy Awards that are given by the American Library Association. But did you know that the Association of Jewish Libraries also recognizes outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience? Martha Simpson, a past Sydney Taylor Book Award Chair, will discuss the qualifications of the award and some recent books that were named Winner, Honor, and Notable books in the Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Young Adult categories, as well as the Body-of-Work recipients.

Martha Simpson is a Connecticut author and Children’s Librarian and is active in the American Library Association and the Association of Jewish Libraries. At AJL, she served as a member of the 2021 Sydney Taylor Book Award committee, which recognizes outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Martha chaired the 2022 and 2023 committees and was the advisor for the 2024 and 2025 committees. She is currently serving on the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Committee, which recognizes an unpublished middle grade manuscript with Jewish content. Writing as Martha Seif Simpson, she is the author of four picture books with Jewish themes - The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim, A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon, and a forthcoming book with Apples & Honey Press in 2026, as well as What Not to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day. She is retired from the Stratford Library in Connecticut after 28 years as Head of Children’s Services and now volunteers in her synagogue library.

Wednesday June 10th

6pm-7pm

$10 for members

$15 for non members

please contact Bridget Bick with any questions at [email protected]