January is a special time of year, because the American Library Association (ALA) announces their children book awards. Last week some special books were honored. Here is the list so you can take a look.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children

Winner- "The Lion & the Mouse" illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (published by Little, Brown and Co Books for Young Readers) See the link below for more information on this book and the honor book winners.

http://www.ala.org/template.cfm?template=/CFApps/awards_info/award_detail_home.cfm&FilePublishTitle=Awards,%20Grants%20and%20Scholarships&uid=E5C72B4A36B54164

John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children's literature.

Winner- "When You Reach Me" written by Rebecca Stead (published by Wendy Lamb Books, am imprint of Random House Children's Books) See the link below for more information on this book and the honor book winners.

http://www.ala.org/template.cfm?template=/CFApps/awards_info/award_detail_home.cfm&FilePublishTitle=Awards,%20Grants%20and%20Scholarships&uid=9975B44A8D61AEE9

For other literary award winners for children's and teen books go to http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/january2009/ymawrap.cfm