Geisel Criteria

Now that two of the reading lists are published, I thought it would be a good time to post ALSC's official Geisel award criteria. We use these to determine the winner of our Mock Geisel award as well. Keep the following in mind as you read the titles on the lists. Enjoy!

From the ALSC website:

• The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recognizes the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished beginning reader of the year.
• Author(s) and illustrator(s) must be citizens of the United States. Books must be published in English in the U.S.
  
• The text of the book must be geared towards children preschool through 2nd grade.
• Illustrations must function as clues to the text & demonstrate the story being told.
  
• Subject matter must motivate the child to read.
• New words should be added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience.
• Words should be repeated to ensure retention.
• Sentences must be simple and straightforward.
• May contain 24 to 96 pages.
• The book creates a successful reading experience.
• The plot advances from one page to the next, creating a "page turning" dynamic.