The Monarch Award is given annually to an author and/or illustrator of a book voted as their favorite by participating K–3 children in Illinois. The award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) and is designed to encourage Illinois students to read critically and to become familiar with children’s books, authors, and illustrators. The award is named in honor of the Monarch Butterfly, Illinois’ state insect. The butterfly symbolizes growth, change and freedom––qualities that also characterize the emergent reader.
Past Monarch Award Winners
2012 Shark vs. Train
Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld