On Monday, January 11, 2016, winners of the American Library Association's Children's Books & Media awards were announced.

And the winners are...

• The Randolph Caldecott Medal for outstanding American picture books was won by Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick.
• The Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding children's books related to the African-American experience was won by two books. Best illustrator was won by Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Troy Andrews and Bill Taylor. Best author was won by Gone Crazy in Alabama, written by Rita Williams-Garcia.
• The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished American book for beginning readers was won by Don't Throw It to Mo!, written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Sam Ricks.
• The John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children was won by Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson.
• The Pura Belpré Medal for the excellent portrayal of Latino experience in children's literature was won by two books. Best illustrator was won by The Drum Dream Girl, illustrated by Rafael López and written by Margarita Engle. Best author was won by Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir, by Margarita Engle.
• The Robert Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children was won by Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh.

 

   

Award books are chosen by committees of the Association for Library Service to Children(ALSC). Some of your very own Berkeley Public Library librarians have served, are serving, or will be serving on these committees.

 

 

Armin Arethna was part of the 2014 Newbery committee, Alan Bern just completed his year on the 2015 Sibert committee and Erica Dean Glenn will be a member of the 2016 Caldecott committee.

 

 It's a lot of work and means reading and evaluating hundreds of books but we love doing it. We celebrate our colleagues who help honor the very best in children's books!

 

 

Finger knitting @Central CCR
Saturday, February 6
3:30pm-4:30pm
Fourth floor Story Room
Enjoy the fun of finger knitting! Instruction and supplies provided, just bring along your fingers. We will also do sign-ups for Yarn Bombing in the Library. Ages 5-13 and their families.

Raina Telgemeier @North
Sunday, February 7
1:00pm-3:00pm
We are beyond thrilled to welcome comics creator Raina Telgemeier whose books Smile, Drama, and Sisters and her graphic adaptations of The Babysitters Club have enthralled a generation of young readers! Raina talks about her books and creative process.

Raina will sign whatever books you bring, but can only sketch in ONE book per patron. Books will be available for purchase from Mrs. Dalloways. Note: The North Branch will NOT be open this day -- this is a special event. Doors will open at 12:45pm.

African Queens Dance @Claremont
Saturday, February 13
1:00pm-2:00pm
Join us when the Oakland-based African Queens Dance Company leads a participatory, West African Dance workshop. All ages and abilities.


Saturday, February 13
3:00pm-4:00pm
Learn a Hip Hop dance and hear the history of this art form. This free workshop offered by Destiny Arts Center is facilitated by professional dancer and instructor Mika Lemoine. Limited to 20 participants. Call 510-981-6260 to register. Ages 6-8.

CineKids: Movie for Kids @Claremont
Saturday, February 20
3:00pm-4:20pm
Inspired by the true story of the first giraffe to visit France, Zarafa is a sumptuously animated and stirring adventure set amongst sweeping CinemaScope vistas of parched desert, wind-swept mountains and open skies. Maki, a boy on the run, meets Zarafa, a giraffe, and Hassan a nomad who is ordered by the Pasha of Egypt to present Zarafa as a gift to King Charles of France. The three set off on an adventure, but all the while Maki is determined to find a way to bring Zarafa back to her rightful home. Ages 9 and up. 78 minutes.

Hip Hop Dance Workshop @Central
2:30pm-3:30pm
Sunday, February 21
Third floor Community Meeting Room
Learn Hip Hop dance and hear the history of this art form with a workshop presented by Destiny Arts Center. This program is facilitated by the co-artistic director of their Youth Performance Company, Rashidi Omari. Limited to 20 participants. Call 510-981-6223 to register. Ages 7-10.