For 20 years, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards have celebrated the stories that entertain, educate, and inspire young readers—and the authors, illustrators, and publishers who bring them to life.
Since the awards began in 2006, the world of children’s publishing has continued to grow and evolve. New voices have emerged, the range of stories being told has expanded, and new paths to publishing have given more creators the opportunity to share their work with young readers.
Along the way, the Moonbeam Awards have grown, too, recognizing books across more than 45 categories and celebrating everything from picture books and educational titles to middle-grade adventures and young adult stories.
As we celebrate 20 years of Moonbeam, we’re looking back at where the awards began, how children’s books have evolved over the past two decades, and the mission that continues to guide us today: recognizing exceptional books and helping connect them with the readers who need them.
Where It All Began
Launched in 2006, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards were created to increase recognition for exemplary children’s books and their creators while supporting childhood literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
The first Moonbeam medalists were announced in 2007, with awards spanning everything from board books and picture books to graphic novels, audiobooks, educational titles, young adult fiction, and more.
Even then, the range of winning titles reflected an important part of the Moonbeam mission: there isn’t just one kind of book that can make a difference in a young reader’s life.
Some books are created simply to make children laugh. Others encourage them to ask questions, understand people different from themselves, explore their creativity, or work through the challenges that come with growing up. All of those stories have a place.
Growing Alongside Children’s Literature
As children’s literature has evolved, the Moonbeam Awards have grown alongside it. Today, the awards include more than 45 categories spanning picture books, early readers, pre-teen and young adult fiction, nonfiction, activity books, eBooks, and much more.
The subjects explored within those categories have grown, too.
Over the years, Moonbeam medalists have tackled everything from friendship, family, animals, and adventure to mindfulness, social issues, cultural experiences, history, education, and the more complicated challenges young people face.
The Moonbeam Spirit Awards were added along the way to further recognize exceptional books that stand out for their contributions to children’s literacy and inspired writing, illustrating, and publishing, with recent honors recognizing qualities including compassion, education, imagination, community, mindfulness, and storytelling.
Celebrating the People Behind the Books
Behind every children’s book is someone who believed a story was worth telling.
For the past two decades, Moonbeam has had the privilege of discovering books from independent authors and self-publishers alongside titles from established publishing houses. Each brings something different to the world of children’s literature.
For some creators, a Moonbeam medal becomes another way to help their book stand out in a crowded marketplace. For others, the recognition provides encouragement to keep creating, an opportunity to reach new readers, or validation that the story they worked so hard to tell is resonating.
And ultimately, that recognition can help exceptional books find their way into the hands of more parents, educators, librarians, booksellers—and, most importantly, young readers.
The Next Chapter
For 20 years, we’ve had the honor of discovering the stories that authors, illustrators, and publishers have poured their creativity, time, and heart into creating for young readers.
To everyone who has entered a book, earned a medal, shared their story with us, or simply followed along over the years: thank you. It has been a privilege to celebrate your work and to play a small part in helping meaningful children’s books receive the recognition they deserve.
As we look ahead to the next 20 years, we’re excited to continue discovering new voices, new stories, and new books that will make young readers laugh, learn, imagine, and see the world in new ways.
Want your book to be part of the next chapter?
Enter the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and put your work in the running to be recognized among the best children’s books of the year.
