What are the Aesop Prize and the Aesop Accolades?
The Aesop Prize and Accolades, awarded by the Children’s Folklore Section, recognize exceptional books, for children or young adults, that are based on folklore. The folklore must be accurately presented in the text and illustrations and add to the reader’s understanding of folklore.
To Be Eligible for the 2023 Competition:
- Folklore should be central to the book’s content and, where present, to its illustrations.
- The folklore presented should accurately reflect the culture and worldview of the people whose folklore inspired the book.
- The reader’s understanding of folklore should be enhanced by the book, and the book should be enhanced by the presence of folklore.
- The book must reflect the high artistic standards of the best of children’s literature and have strong appeal to the child reader.
- Books may be fiction or nonfiction, but must be published in the English language. Books in which the text is presented both in English and in another language are also eligible.
- Books must be published between August 15, 2022, and September 15, 2023.
- Folklore sources–whether oral or written–must be acknowledged and source annotations (where applicable) should be referenced within the bound contents of the publication.
To Submit Your Title(s) to the Competition:
- Submit your application details using the AFS Prize Application Form
- Send one (1) copy of each book to all members of the Aesop Prize Committee:
- Brant Ellsworth, 518 Kingston Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17112
- David Puglia, 45 Teller Ave, Beacon, New York 12508
- Spencer Green, 1520 MacIntosh Way, Hummelstown PA 17036 (Chair)
- LuAnne K. Roth, Department of Writing and Rhetoric, 324 Roosevelt Hall,90 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881
To be considered, books must be received by September 15, 2023. Bound galleys are acceptable, provided publication date is no later than September 15.
Questions? Email [email protected]. To acquire seals for winning books, contact Priscilla Ord.