About Us

Celebrating Youthful Curiosity and Discovery
Through Books and Reading Since 2006

Launched in 2006, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are a premier celebration of exceptional children’s literature, recognizing the creative talents of authors, illustrators, and publishers. Each year, we honor outstanding books across various categories, including Picture Books, Early Readers, and Young Adult Fiction. These awards spotlight works that inspire imagination, promote diversity, and encourage a love of reading among young audiences.
 
We invite creators in the children’s book industry to submit their impactful titles and join us in celebrating the contributions that enrich the literary landscape for children. By highlighting innovative stories and engaging illustrations, we recognize the vital role these works play in fostering a lifelong passion for reading and learning.

Our Mission

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards shine a light on exceptional children’s literature and the talented creators behind them, recognizing the importance of fostering a love for reading among young audiences. Our mission is to celebrate works that inspire imagination, promote diversity, and encourage lifelong learning. By honoring authors, illustrators, and publishers who contribute valuable insights and engaging stories, we acknowledge their dedication to nurturing the next generation’s love for books. Each award highlights the transformative power of storytelling and the vital role these creators play in shaping the future of children’s literature.

Our Entrants

Each year, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards receives submissions across diverse categories such as Picture Books, Early Readers, and Young Adult Fiction. Entries hail from a variety of publishers, including independent presses and major houses, showcasing a wealth of creativity and quality content. Awards are given in gold, silver, and bronze based on storytelling, illustration, and the overall impact of each book on young readers.
 
Previous medalists include notable authors like Alane Adams, J.E. Laufer, and Melanie Hooyenga, whose works have made significant contributions to children’s literature. These distinguished creators exemplify excellence and innovation in their storytelling, inspiring the next generation of readers. The Moonbeam Awards proudly continue to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements within the realm of children’s publishing.

Our Beginnings and Growth

The inaugural Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards drew a total of 862 entries from authors and publishers in 45 U.S. states, 6 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas. An awards presentation was held in conjunction with the 2007 Children’s Humanities Festival in Chicago.

The 2nd annual Moonbeam Awards attracted over 1,000 entries, and the awards ceremony was held in Denver, Colorado, during the American Library Association mid-winter conference. Our 3rd annual awards presentation event took place as part of the West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston, West Virginia.

Today, the Moonbeam Awards receives thousands of entries per year from over 20 countries.

Our Staff

Amy Shamroe

Amy Shamroe

Book Awards Director
231.933.2934

Amy has been with Jenkins Group for more than 15 years now. Books have always been a huge part of her life, and her favorite thing about her job is connecting with authors and hearing their stories! Contact her for questions about book award categories, deadlines, the process, or other awards opportunities.

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Emily Slater

Emily Slater

Book Awards Director
231.360.2954

Emily has been with Jenkins Group since 2021, working in both Book Awards and Book Distribution. Her degree in communications, coupled with a lifelong love of books, drives her passion for connecting people and their stories to a broader audience.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends and connecting with her local community through volunteer work. She and her husband are co-circus wranglers of four kids and three pony-sized dogs.

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Jerry Jenkins

Jerrold Jenkins

Founder & CEO
231.883.5365 

In 1988, Jerrold founded Jenkins Group, a leading publishing services firm that assists individuals and corporations with custom solutions tailored to fit a variety of budgets and timelines.

Driven by a passion for honoring the year’s best books, Jerrold launched a series of book awards programs in 1996. Today, Jenkins Group proudly presents six prestigious book award contests: the Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Axiom Book Awards, Axiom Business Book Awards, eLit Book Awards, and Axiom Christian Book Awards.

A graduate of Alma College, Jenkins worked as a financial and investment management group account executive before his publishing career.

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Jim Kalajian

Jim Kalajian

President & COO
231.933.0445 ext. 1006

Jim oversees the daily operations at Jenkins Group, ensuring seamless workflows across both customer-facing and back-office functions, with a focus on the custom book publishing and book awards divisions.

He joined the company in 1999, bringing over a decade of operational and organizational change experience from his time at the leading consulting firm, Accenture. Jim applies his expertise in finance, IT, process management, human resources, and communication across all teams within Jenkins Group. His skills in problem-solving, project planning, change management, and quantitative analysis drive continuous improvement for both clients and employees. 

Jim holds a B.S. in Engineering Arts from Michigan State University.

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