Named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, the Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. In addition to the Caldecott Medal, the committee typically awards Caldecott Honors to other books worthy of attention.

The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British children’s book publisher John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Beside the Newbery Medal, the committee usually awards Newbery Honors to other books worthy of attention.

The Geisel Award is given annually to the authors and illustrators of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. The award is named for Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, who once said, "Children want the same things we want: to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted."