• Board Book/Cloth Book • Alphabet/Counting Book • Pop-up/Cut-out • Activity Book1      Games, Arts & Crafts, etc. • Activity Book2      Educational, Science, History, etc. • Books with Music/Theatrical • Audio Book • Picture Books - Preschool • Picture Books 4-8 Year Old • Picture Books - All ages • Juvenile Fiction - Early Reader/1st Chapter books • Pre-teen fiction - Intermediate/Middle Grade • Young Adult Fiction • Young Adult - Mature Issues • Children's Poetry • Non-Fiction - Picture Book • Non-Fiction - Young Adult • Multicultural - Picture Book • Multicultural Fiction – Chapter Book • Multicultural Non-Fiction • Comic/Graphic Novel • Religion/Spirituality • Holiday • Book with Merchandise (plush toy, etc.)    (eg. plush toy, etc.) • Spanish Language Book • Environmental Issues • Health Issues • Mind-Body-Spirit • Best First Book • Best Illustrator Enter Now

Categories & Eligibility

Who May Enter

Authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children’s books, written in English and intended for the North American market. Print-On-Demand and other independent authors are welcome to enter their books themselves.

Eligibility

Books that are published with a 2007 or 2008 copyright or that were released in 2007 or 2008 are eligible. Submission of galley copies is permissible if finished copies are not yet available. Publishers are to select the category or categories in which the book(s) should be judged.

Submission for more than one category is acceptable. Submit two copies of the title per category entered. For example, when you enter two categories, please send four books; when entering three categories, please send six books. All books entered become the physical property of Independent Publisher Online and will eventually be donated to local libraries and charities.

Judging Process

Judging will be based on content, originality, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and social relevance. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling and library. Three to six semi-finalists per category will be named on about October 3rd; final results to be announced October 17th, 2008.

Deadline

All entries must be made online or postmarked by August 16, 2008. We will confirm your entry via email.

Awards

A gold medal will be awarded to the winner of each category; runners-up in each category will receive silver medals. Honorable mentions in each category will receive bronze medals. Gold, silver and bronze seals will be available to all in their appropriate award levels.