Since 1952, we've gathered three expert judges, who consider every illustrated children's book published that year in the United States. In 2017, we began partnering with the New York Public Library to administer the honor now called The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award.
Here are some of the winners in 2019.
Small in the City
Sydney Smith knows that children are the best observers. In" Small in the City, "he shows us how a young child explores a city-it's unmistakably Toronto－with deep knowledge of all its aspects. If we can find them and are lucky, there is shelter, kindness and hope. Smith presents an elegant urban winterscape precisely, yet with an astonishing looseness.
Neal Porter/Holiday House, $17. 95;ages 4 to 8.
Another
In a world without words, Christian Robinson's" Another" provides the perfect balance of color, shape and texture to take the heroine and her cat companion on a determined and thoughtful voyage from her bed to a funhouse of possibility. The warmth of the color palette and her optimistic expression encourage young readers through a mysterious adventure to an alternate universe of light-filled passages. This is a science fiction picture book classic.
Simon&Schuster;$17. 99;ages 4 to 8.
The Farmer
XimoAbadia has filled the pages of "The Farmer" with color. Rows and dots of red slash against yellow, blue drips and fills, while water vessels mirror the village topography. The farmer's red balloon pants and animal friends add playfulness to the seriousness of his task and the power of the landscape. We chose this book for how hard work, glaring sun and the search for water are presented through space designs that boldly stretch across the pages, reflecting and encouraging self-reliance and determination.
Holiday House, $17. 99;ages 3 to 6.
Just Because
Isabellc Arsenault's richly graphic illustrations for" Just Because" perfectly mix the fanciful and the literal-just the way a child's imagination does. the judges felt. To paraphrase an old movie ad:After spending time with this beautifully designed book, you will believe that fish sing the blues and trees set
their leaves on fire.
Candlewick, S17. 99;ages 4 to 8.
