Students and educators from across Kansas will celebrate children’s literature during the 72nd annual William Allen White Children’s Book Awards on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Emporia State University. The events are free and open to the public.
Authors McCall Hoyle and Alan Gratz will be guests of honor for the book awards during a day that culminates in receiving their awards. Hoyle wrote “Stella,” selected by Kansas schoolchildren in Grades 3 through 5. Gratz wrote “Ground Zero,” selected by voters in Grades 6 through 8.
In a change from previous years, all events in 2024 will be staged in the William Allen White Library on the southwest corner of campus with the awards ceremony in Albert Taylor Hall inside Plumb Hall immediately to the east.
The free events kick off at 8:30 a.m. on the second floor of White Library. Until 10:30 a.m., activities will include writing letters to authors, silly science and craft projects. Copies of both books will be available for purchase, and authors will meet readers and sign their books.
The awards ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in Albert Taylor Hall. Neither food nor drink is allowed inside the auditorium.
After the ceremony, lunch is available in the Hornets Nest cafeteria in the Memorial Union. It will be open until 1 p.m. and the buffet is available at a discounted rate.
After the William Allen White celebration, participants are encouraged to stay and enjoy other activities planned to celebrate Homecoming on campus. These include pregame activities of yard games and inflatables near the ESU Kossover Tennis Complex on the north end of campus.
The Homecoming football game kicks off at 2 p.m. Anyone who presents their program from the William Allen White awards celebration may purchase tickets at a discounted rate.
And, any high school students who attend the events will have the opportunity to take a campus tour.
About the William Allen White Children’s Book Award
This is the oldest statewide children’s book award in the United States.
It was established in 1952 by the late Ruth Garver Gagliardo, a children’s literature specialist at Emporia State University. To honor the memory of one of Kansas’ most distinguished citizens, the award was titled The William Allen White Children's Book Award. William Allen White was an American author, politician, leader of the Progressive movement and the newspaper editor of The Emporia Gazette.
Supported in part by the Trusler Foundation and the Emporia State University Libraries & Archives, The White Awards Program was established to encourage the children of Kansas to read and enjoy good books.
For more information: wawchildrensbookaward.com.