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Hollins University, which administers the Margaret Wise Brown Prize book awards submissions, had a class of students in its graduate program in Children's Literature and Illustration curate and examine the books, categorize them, and identify trends. Their findings are published in this article.

The Importance of Authenticity in Picture Books:

Margaret Wise Brown Prize Submissions Review 

Authors: Zoelle Bellitto, Raine Matos, Jocelyn Norcross, 

Hale Peterke, and Dr. Elizabeth Dulemba

In a class at Hollins University, students in the M.F.A. in Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating program curated approximately 200 books submitted for the annual Margaret Wise Brown Prize. The prize recognizes the author of the best text for a picture book published during the previous year, 2023. Winners were announced in May: Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Atheneum), and honor title Stranded: A Mostly True Story From Iceland (Barefoot Books). Publishers sent selected titles to three judges, while a separate set was sent directly to Hollins (which has no influence over judge’s choices) to either donate or add to our growing picture book collection; books are also sorted into thematic groups to track trends. There were dozens of thought-provoking, uniquely illustrated picture books that were serious contenders. Congratulations to our winners! These are our observations from this year’s submissions. 

Biographies were popular as usual, and were dominated by books on women and especially women of color. Also popular, nature books focused on ways to get outside. Finally, it was refreshing to see that books about community abounded. They were separated into multiple subcategories such as friends, family, LQBTQ+ (only two, both about trans characters), but most focused on diverse cultural backgrounds.

We noticed some notable changes within the number of submissions in certain categories. We were surprised to see fewer books on loss, but were happy to see more books with elders teaching cultural practices to children. As has been the norm, there were only three books about children with disabilities while overall representation seemed few and far between.

We added two new categories: “Identity” and “Religion.” Books like Vlad the Fabulous Vampire (Candlewick) centered on being comfortable in one’s own identity without being specific about what that identity was. Meanwhile, several books centered on religion as part of a cultural or community experience such as Doña Gracie Saved Worlds (Kar-Ben) which landed in our biography pile. A specifically religious title was Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day (Berman House). 

There were several examples of forward thinking designed titles such as Chasing the Sun (Creative Editions), Dim Sum Palace (Tundra), This Book is Banned (Source Books), and Small Shoes, Great Strides(Lerner). Sadly, we also noticed several deficient design choices around text placement and treatments, or readability and font choices. We also lamented uninspired white endpapers in several books. The best artwork combined skillfully crafted illustrations alongside well-designed layouts. However, there were a number of poorly rendered digital or photo-collaged works that looked unfinished, blurry, or otherwise distorted. Overall, there was a noticeable flat, simplified, homogenization of digital art with a coloring book feel.

A positive trend was the increase in multicultural stories. Artists and writers shared their unique experiences, authentically reconnecting with cultural roots and community. Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day (Charlesbridge) stood out as a special family tale. We Could Fly (Candlewick) used lyrical language paired beautifully with warm artwork. Strong writing displayed in titles like these encouraged distinctive moments of rich conversation.

Armando's Island (Creative Editions) sparked a long discussion. While strikingly illustrated, it would have benefited from a sensitivity reader. The stereotyped native main character detracted from the serious topic of deforestation. Where Armando’s Island failed, Stand as Tall As The Trees (Charlesbridge) succeeded as it was a first-hand account of author Patricia Gualinga’s authentic indigenous experience. When compared, the two titles bring to light the ease with which a community can be misrepresented. Awareness and accurate representation should be present at all levels of production. 

Several books stood out in 2023 as significant contributors to children's literature. I Am a Tornado(Atheneum) artfully uses collage to speak to the strong emotions that children experience. Border Crossing (Charlesbridge) was a poignant book depicting wildlife threatened by the southern border wall. Once again, Tundra made a proud showing with The Song That Called Them Home, a tale blending realism and folklore in an underwater encounter with the Memekwesewak. Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter (Scholastic) weaved a courageous historical biography of female bravery and resilience. Lastly, Scroll(Christy Ottaviano Books) shared the history and magic of written Chinese characters through the eyes of a child. 

Overall, we appreciated the growing range of diversity and authentic experiences and encourage more submissions next year. We hope our findings will inspire more thoughtful, sensitive, well-illustrated picture books.