Resources for Children's Literature Students

Curated lists of resources often required for children's literature classes

If you're taking a college Children's Lit class, you have a BIG list of books you need to read. We've seen those lists, and helped many students find the resources needed. Bring your lists and your questions upstairs to the Children's Desk, and we'll be happy to help you select and find what you need.

Also, check the links below to categories of books that are commonly required by children's lit courses. The links are to our online catalog, where you can see what's in, where it's located, and even request items for pick-up at the library. And if there's a category you need that we've not included, let us know! Email us at childrens@decaturlibrary.org, and we'll try to add it to this page.

See also our Stories to Help Kids page for picture books designed to help kids with feelings, life transitions, behavior issues, etc.

ALA Award Winners

Books deemed the best in their category by an American author or illustrator. Awarded annually by the American Library Association

Newbery Winners

Winners of the Newbery Medal for the best in children's literature by an American author for previous year

Caldecott Winners

Winners for the best illustrated children's book by an American artist from the previous year

Coretta Scott King Author Winners

Winners for the best children's book by an African-American author from the previous year

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Winners

Winners for the best African-American illustrator of a children's book from the previous year

Belpré Author Award

Winners for the best Latino/Latina-American author of a children's book from the previous year

Belpré Illustrator Award

Winners for the best Latino/Latina-American illustrator of a children's book from the previous year

Geisel Winners & Honors

Winners and honors books for the best beginning reader book by an American author from the previous year

Sibert Winners & Honors

Winners & honor books for the best children's non-fiction by an American author from the previous year

Illinois Readers' Choice Awards

Current nominees or past winners of the Illinois Readers' Choice awards, voted on annually by students across the state

2025 Monarch Nominees

Nominees for the 2025 Monarch award, voted on by K - 3rd grade students across Illinois

2025 Bluestem Nominees

Nominees for the 2025 Bluestem award, voted on by 3rd - 5th grade students across Illinois

2025 Rebecca Caudill Nominees

Nominees for the 2025 Caudill award, voted on by 4th - 8th grade students across Illinois

Monarch Winners

Winners of the annual Monarch award, voted on by K - 3rd grade students across Illinois

Bluestem Winners

Winners of the annual Bluestem award, voted on by 3rd - 5th grade students across Illinois

Rebecca Caudill Winners

Winners of the Caudill award, voted on each year by 4th - 8th graders across Illinois

Picture books reflecting cultural diversity

Selections of picture book stories reflecting diverse cultures. (Also check the Juvenile Folktales -- J398s -- which are organized according to country of origin.)