The E.B. White Read Aloud Award, established in 2004, honors a book that reflects the universal read aloud standards that were created by the work of the author E.B White in his classic books for children: Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. ABC members chose books for distinction based on their universal appeal as a "terrific" book to read aloud.

Before The E.B. White Read Aloud Award was established, ABC historically gave "ABC Choices" awards to a collection of new books each year that were favorites of the membership. In 2004 the ABC Board of Directors decided to evolve the Choices Award into The E.B. White Read Aloud Award.

In 2006, in recognition of the fact that reading aloud is a pleasure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages, the award was expanded to include two categories, The E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books, and The E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers.

Each year in January, store members nominate a list of new books (published the previous year) that they believe most embody the ideal of a good "Read Aloud". Stores are allowed to put in more than one nomination, and are encouraged to get their employees involved in the nomination process. Ideally, a nominated title should be the favorite book to recommend to a customer who asks the question, "Can you recommend a book that my family and I can read [aloud]?" Store members are also asked to consider books that they love, and believe deserve to be singled out for greater critical and media attention.

ABC takes a broad approach to the notion of when and where books can be read aloud. Often times, nominated picture book titles have been successfully used by the booksellers for storytimes in the store. In the case of chapter books, booksellers recommend books they have read and loved, have shared with their families, or have recommended for use in the classroom or library.

Possible criteria for a great "Read Aloud" include dynamic writing, engaging themes, and universal appeal. In the case of picture books, the relationship between writing and illustration should be strong, and the structure of the book should build an enjoyable sense of anticipation.

The nominations are then given to a committee of ABC member stores from across the country, headed by a member of the ABC board, who deliberate to select a winner from the nominations. In the case where a book is created by both an author and an illustrator, the award is given to both artists.

The award is announced annually on the first Monday in April, and the actual award (a crystal book engraved with the medal seal and the book title, recipient and year) is presented at the ABC's annual dinner, held during Book Expo America.

Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. There's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot chauffeur named Robert. With Jack's soaring imagination in the driver's seat, readers are off on a wild ride of imagination!

Chris Van Dusen's interest in art began at a young age when his mother gave hiim and his four brothers pencils and paper to keep them busy. After high school, Chris pursued his interest in art by studying painting and illustration at the University of Massachursetts at Dartmouth, graduating in 1982 with a BFA. In 1985 he returned to Maine and settled in the coastal town of Camden. He is also the auhtor of Down to the Sea wit Mr. Magee, and A Camping Spree with Mr. McGee. In his spare time, Chris likes to hike and bike all over the Maine coast with his family. Click here to visit Chris Van Dusen's web site.

Deborah Wiles is the award-winning author of one other novel, Love, Rub Lavender, an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Children's Book Sense 76 Pick, and a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing. Ms. Wiles is the recipient of the 2004 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Each Little Bird That Sings was a 2005 National Book Award Finalist. Deborah Wiles lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Click here to visit Deborah Wiles' web site.

Wild About Books is a rollicking rhymed story of Molly the librarian who accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and introduces the birds and beasts to a new something called reading. Molly finds the perfect book for each animal --- tall books for giraffes, small books for crickets, joke books for hyenas - and has them going "wild, simply wild, about wonderful books." Author Judy Sierra combines clever prose with laugh-out-loud book selections for the animals:

"She even found waterproof books for the otter,
who never went swimming without Harry Potter."

Judy Sierra is renowned for her funny and brief retellings of folktales, most recently in the delightful collection of Silly and Sillier. Equally adept at rhyme, she wrote a collection of amusing poems about penguins, Antarctic Antics, which was a bestseller. Ms. Sierra devotes considerable time to storytelling and reading to children at schools and libraries, endeavors that help her know exactly what makes children laugh. Judy lives in Castro Valley, California. Click here to visit Judy Sierra's web site.

Marc Brown is best known as the author and illustrator who created the beloved aardvark Arthur. As a child, Marc Brown's passion for drawing was encouraged by his grandmother Thora, who saved his artwork in the bottom drawer of her bureau. "I knew it must be special," recalls Brown, "because she didn't save many things." His grandmother later provided an education fund that helped Brown pay for art school. He attended the Cleveland Institute of Art from 1964 to 1969. Marc Brown lives with his wife Laurie and their young daughter, Eliza. He also has two grown sons, Tolon and Tucker. Brown looks to his three children for inspiration and story ideas. He also gets many suggestions from children he meets in schools, libraries, and bookstores around the country.

Unique, quirky and memorable, SkippyJon Jones is chock-full of rhyme and rhythm. A Siamese kitten, who imagines himself to be a Chihuahua and a sword fighter - anything except an ordinary cat - is the star of this book. The story takes young readers on a wild ride in which they can't help but join along with sing-along songs and chants. Peppered with Spanish expressions and full of energized fun, SkippyJon Jones is not only entertaining for the listener, it's also enjoyable for the reader.

Judith Byron Schachner has been illustrating and writing children's books since 1992.She has illustrated many of her own stories as well as those written by others. Her artwork has been called "absolutely delightful" by School Library Journal. In 1999, her book Mr. Emerson's Cook was among the Carolyn Field Notable Books.

To find out more about Judith Schachner, visit her web site.