Aesop Prize and Aesop Accolades

About the Prize

Prize Review Criteria

• Folklore should be central to the book’s content and, if appropriate, to its illustrations.
• The folklore presented in the book should accurately reflect the culture and worldview of the people whose folklore is the focus of the book.
• The reader’s understanding of folklore should be enhanced by the book, as should the book be enhanced by the presence of folklore.
• The book should reflect the high artistic standards of the best of children’s literature and have strong appeal to the child reader.
• Folklore sources must be fully acknowledged and annotations referenced within the bound contents of the publication.

  Recipients of the Prize and Accolades

• Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, by Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third
• I Am Pan!, by Mordecai Gerstein

• The Princess and the Warrior, by Duncan Tonatiuh
• The Storyteller, Evan Turk

• West of the Moon, by Margi Preus
• Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes, by Rick Riordan, illustr. by John Rocco

• Tree Matters, by Gangu Bai, V. Geetha and Gita Wolf
• My Grandfather’s Coat, by Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock
• The Legend of the Beaver's Tail, by Stephanie Shaw

• Chinese Fables: “The Dragon Slayer” and Other Timeless Tales of Wisdom, by Shiho S. Nunes

• Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain, by Jacqueline Jules
• We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song, by Debbie Levy
• Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend, by Donald Montileaux
• Gobble you up!, by Gita Wolf

• Looks Like Daylight, by Deborah Ellis

• Written in Stone, by Rosanne Parry
• Nasreddine, by Odile Weulersse, illustr. by Rebecca Dautremer
• Whiskers, Tails & Wings: Animal Folktales from Mexico, by Judy Goldman, illustr. by Fabricio VandenBroeck

• Which Side Are You On?, by George Ella Lyon, illustr. by Christopher Cardinale

• Mouse & Lion, by Rand Burkert, illustr. by Nancy Ekholm Burkert
• The Matatu, by Eric Waters, illustr. by Eva Campbell
• Walking on Earth & Touching the Sky: Poetry and Prose by Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School, by Timothy P. McLaughlin, illustr. by S.D. Nelson

• Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection, ed. by Matt Dembicki

• Odetta: The Queen of Folk, by Stephen Alcorn and Samantha Thornhill
• The Arabian Nights, by Wafa’ Tarnowska, illustr. by Carole Hénaff
• It’s Not About the Rose!, by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustr. by David Parkins
• It’s Not About the Crumbs!, by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustr. by David Parkins
• It’s Not About the Pumpkin!, by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustr. by David Parkins
• It’s Not About the Hunter!, by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustr. by David Parkins
• It’s Not About the Apple!, by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustr. by David Parkins

• Joha Makes a Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale, adapted by Eric A. Kimmel, illustr. by Omar Rayyan

• Cloud Tea Monkeys, by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustr. by Juan Wijngaard
• Firebird, retold by Saviour Pirotta, illustr. by Catherine Hyde

• Dance, Nana, Dance , by Joe Hayes, illustr. by Mauricio Trenard Sayago
• The Kalevala: Tales of Magic and Adventure, adapted by Kirsti Mäkinen, illustrated by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, transl. by Kaarina Brooks
• Naupaka, by Nona Beamer, illustr. by Caren Ke’ala Loebel-Fried, transl. from the Hawai’ian by Kaliko Beamer-Trapp, music by Keola Beamer .

• The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales, by Dawn Casey, illustr. by Anne Wilson
• Jack Tales and Mountain Yarns as told by Orville Hicks, transcription and text by Julia Taylor Ebel, illustr. by Sherry Jenkins Jensen
• Polish Folktales and Folklore, by Michal Malinowski and Anne Pellowski
• Princess Peacock, Tales from the Other Peoples of China, by Haiwang Yuan
• Tsunami!, by Kimiko Kajikawa, illustr. by Ed Young

• Ain’t Nothing But a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry, by Scott Reynolds Nelson, with Marc Aronson

• Dance in a Buffalo Skull, told by Zitkala-Ša, illustr. by S. D. Nelson
• The Adventures of Molly Whuppie and Other Appalachian Folktales, by Anne Shelby, illustrated by Paula McArdle

• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In a War, told by Kathy Henderson, illustrated by Jane Ray
• The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: the Robin Hood of Korea, retold by Anne Sibley O'Brien

• Solomon and the Ant and Other Jewish Folktales, retold by Sheldon Oberman. Introduction and commentary by Peninnah Schram
• Tatanka and the Lakota People: A Creation Story, illustrated by Donald F. Montileaux

• Malian's Song. By Marge Bruchac, illustrated by William Maughan. Middlebury, Vermont: Vermont Folklife Center, 2005.
• Outfoxing Fear: Folktales From Around the World. Edited by Kathleen Ragan. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006.

• Chál tó yinílo‘: Frog Brings Rain. By Patricia Hruby Powell. Flagstaff, Arizona: Salina Bookshelf, 2006.
• Brazilian Folktales. By Livia de Almeida and Ana Portella, edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.

• From the Winds of Manguito: Cuban Folktales in English and Spanish. Retold by Elvia Pérez. Edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. Translated by Paula Martin. Illustrated by VÍctor Francisco Hernández Mora. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2004.
• Roy Makes a Car. By Mary E. Lyons. Illustrated by Terry Widener. New York: Atheneum, 2005.

• The Flying Canoe. Retold by Roch Carrier. Translated by Sheila Fischman. Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Tundra Books, 2004.
• Grandma Lena's Big Ol' Turnip. By Denia Lewis Hester. Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman and Company, 2005.
• The Minister's Daughter. By Julie Hearn. New York and London: Atheneum, 2005.

• Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs: A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents. Collected and adapted by Sarah Conover and Freda Crane. Illustrated by Valerie Wahl. Spokane, Washington: Eastern Washington University Press, 2004.
• The Magic Gourd. Written and illustrated by Baba Wagué Diakité. New York: Scholastic Press, 2003.

• Bottle Houses:The Creative World of Grandma Prisbrey. Written by Melissa Eskridge Slaymaker. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. New York: Henry Holt, 2004.
• The Painted Wall and Other Strange Tales. Selected and adapted by Michael Bedard from the Liao-Chai of Pu Sung-ling. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2003.
• Sure as Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit & His Walkin’ Talkin’ Friends. Written by Alice McGill. Illustrated by Don Tate. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004.
• Walking on Solid Ground. By Shu Pui Cheung, Shuyuan Li, Aaron Chau and Deborah Wei. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Folklore Project, 2004.

• Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. Selected by Neil Philip. Illustrated by Jacqueline Mair. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.
• Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys. Collected and told by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Raul Colon. San Diego: Silver Whistle/ Harcourt, Inc., 2003.

• Invisible Kingdoms: Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits, and Demons. Retold by Howard Schwartz, illustrated by Stephen Fieser. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.
• Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales. New York: W. W. Norton, 2002.
• Pajaro Verde: The Green Bird By Joe Hayes, illustrated by Antonio Castro L. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos, 2002.
• Something for Nothing. By Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Jacqueline M. Cohen. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.
• The Sun, the Rain, and the Apple Seed: A Novel of Johnny Appleseed's Life. By Lynda Durrant. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.
• Yonder Mountain: A Cherokee Legend. Told by Robert H. Bushyhead, written by Kay Thorpe Bannon, illustrated by Kristina Rodana. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002.

• Can You Guess My Name? Traditional Tales Around the World. Selected and retold by Judy Sierra. Illustrated by Stefano Vitale. Clarion Books, 2002.
• One Time Dog Market at Buda and Other Hungarian Folktales. Translated and retold by Irma Molnér. Illustrations by Georgeta-Elena Enesel. Linnet Books, 2001.

• Head, Body, Legs: A Story from Liberia. Retold by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert. Illustrated by Julie Pashkis. Henry Holt, 2002.
• The Race of the Birkebeiners. Written by Lise Lunge-Larsen. Illustrated by Mary Azarian. Houghton Mifflin, 2001.
• Shakespeare's Storybook: Folk Tales That Inspired the Bard. Retold by Patrick Ryan. Illustrated by James Mayhew. Barefoot Books, 2001.

• Fiesta Feminina. Celebrating Women in Mexican Folktale. Retold by Mary-Joan Gerson. Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez. Barefoot Books, 2001.

• Mabela the Clever. Retold by Margaret Read MacDonald. Illustrated by Tim Coffey. Albert Whitman, 2001.
• Daisy and the Doll. By Michael Medearis and Angela Shelf Medearis. Paintings by Larry Johnson. Vermont Folklife Center, 2001.

• The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic. Text by Howard Schwartz. Illustrations by Monique Passicot. Viking, 2000.

• The Hunter: A Chinese Folktale. Text by Mary Casanova. Illustrations by Ed Young. Atheneum, 2000.
• In the Hollow of Your Hand: Slave Lullabies. Text by Alice McGill. Illustrations by Michael Cummings. Houghton, Mifflin, 2000.
• Stockings of Buttermilk: American Folktales. Text by Neil Philip. Illustrations by Jacqueline Mair. Clarion, 1999.

• King Solomon And His Magic Ring. Text by Elie Wiesel. Illustrations by Mark Podwal. Greenwillow, 1999.
• Trickster And The Fainting Birds. Text by Howard Norman. Illustrations by Tom Pohrt. Harcourt Brace, 1999.

• The Deetkatoo: Native American Stories About Little People. Text by John Bierhorst. Illustrations by Ron Hilbert Coy. William Morrow, 1998.
• The Donkey And The Rock. Text and illustrations by Demi. Henry Holt, 1999.
• The Hatseller And The Monkeys. Text and illustrations by Baba Wagu? Diakit?. Scholastic, 1999.
• Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories From Liberia. Text by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert. Illustrations by Ashley Bryan. Fulcrum, 1998.

• Echoes Of The Elders: The Stories And Paintings Of Chief Lelooska. Text and illustrations by Chief Lelooska. DK Publishing, Inc., 1997.

• The Girl Who Dreamed Only Geese And Other Tales Of The Far North. Text by Howard Norman. Illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon. Harcourt Brace, 1997.
• The Hatmaker's Sign: A Story By Benjamin Franklin. Text by Candace Fleming. Illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker. Orchard, 1998.
• The Legend Of The White Buffalo Woman. Text and illustrations by Paul Goble. National Geographic Society, 1998.
• Momentos Magicos/Magic Moments: Tales From Latin America English and Spanish texts by Olga Loya. August House, 1997.

• Earth Tales From Around The World. Text by Michael J. Caduto. Illustrations by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol. Fulcrum, 1997.
• The Hired Hand: An African-American Folktale. Text by Robert D. San Souci. Illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1997.

• Bouki Dances The Kokioko: A Comical Tale From Haiti. Text by Diane Wolkstein. Illustrations by Jesse Sweetwater. Harcourt Brace, 1997.
• The Cricket's Cage: A Chinese Folktale. Text and illustrations by Stefan Czernecki. Hyperion, 1997.
• Esther's Story. Text by Diane Wolkstein. Illustrations by Juan Wijngaard. Morrow Junior Books, 1996.
• Full Moon Stories: Thirteen Native American Legends. Text and illustrations by Eagle Walking Turtle. Hyperion, 1997.
• Musicians Of The Sun. Text and illustrations by Gerald McDermott. Simon & Schuster, 1997.
• The Sea King's Daughter: A Russian Legend. Text by Aaron Shepard. Illustrations by Gennady Spirin. Atheneum, 1997.

• Next Year In Jerusalem. Text by Howard Schwartz. Illustrations by Neil Waldman. Viking, 1996.
• Nursery Tales Around The World. Text by Judy Sierra. Illustrations by Stefano Vitale. Clarion, 1996.

• The Biggest Frog In Australia. Text and illustrations by Susan L. Roth. Simon and Schuster, 1996.
• The Maiden Of the Northland: A Hero Tale Of Finland. Text by Aaron Shepard. Illustrations by Carol Schwartz.
• Medio-Pollito/Half-Chicken. Text by Alma Flor Ada. Illustrations by Kim Howard. Doubleday, 1996.
• Mysterious Tales Of Japan. Text by Rafe Martin. Illustrations by Tatsuro Kiuchi. G.P. Putnam, 1996.
• Princess Florecita And The Iron Shoes. Text by John Warren Stewig. Illustrations by K. Wendy Propp. Apple Soup Books, 1995.
• Songs For Survival: Songs And Chants From Tribal Peoples Around The World. Compiled by Nikki Siegen-Smith. Illustrations by Bernard Lodge. Dutton, 1995.
• The Story Of The Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale. Text by Joseph Bruchac and Gayle Ross. Illustrations by Virginia A. Stroud. Dial, 1995.
• The Turkey Girl. Text by Penny Pollock. Illustrations by Ed Young. Little Brown, 1996.
• When The World Was Young: Creation And Pourquoi Tales. Text by Margaret Mayo. Illustrations by Louise Brierley. Simon and Schuster, 1995.
• Wicked Jack. Text by Connie N. Wooldridge. Illustrations by Will Hillenbrand. Holiday House, 1995.
• The Woman In The Moon: A Story From Hawai'i. Text by Jama Kim Rattagan. Illustrations by Carla Golembe. Little Brown Canada, 1996.

• Fair Is Fair: World Folktales Of Justice, text by Sharon Creeden

• Coyote And The Winnowing Birds: A Traditional Hopi Tale, based On a Story Told By Eugene Sekaquaptewa. Translated by Emory Sekaquaptewa and Barbara Pepper and illustrated by Hopi children
• Duppy Talk: West Indian Tales Of Magic And Mystery, text by Gerald Hausman
• Giants! Stories From Around The World, text by Paul Robert Walker, illustr. by James Bernardin
• The Gifts Of Wali Dad: A Tale Of India And Pakistan, text by Aaron Shepard, illustr. by Daniel San Souci
• When The World Ended, How Hummingbird Got Fire, How People Were Made: Rumsien Ohlone Stories, text and illustr. by Linda Yamane
• Why Alligator Hates Dog: A Cajun Folktale, text by J.J. Reneaux, illustr. by Donnie Lee Green

• John Henry, text by Julius Lester, illustr. by Jerry Pinkney

• Baba Yaga: A Russian Folktale, text and illustr. by Katya Arnold
• The Bossy Gallito, text by Lucia M. Gonzalez, illustr. by Lulu Delacre
• Christopher: The Holy Giant, text and illustr. by Tomie de Paola
• Coyote And Little Turtle: A Traditional Hopi Tale, told by Herschel Talashoema and illustr. by Hopi children of the Hotevilla-Bacavi Community School. Translated and edited by Emory Sekaquaptewa and Barbara Pepper
• The Girl Who Wanted To Hunt: A Siberian Tale, text by Emery Bernhard, illustr. by Durga Bernhard
• The Magic Storysinger From The Finnish Epic Tale Kalevala, text and illustr. by M.E.A. McNeil
• The Mummer's Song, text by Bud Davidge, illustr. by Ian Wallace. Afterword by Kevin Major
• Shadow Of A Flying Bird: A Legend Of The Kurdistani Jews, text and illustr. by Mordecai Gerstein

• Cut From The Same Cloth: American Women In Myth, Legend, And Tall Tale, text by Robert D. San Souci, illustr. by Brian Pinkney
• Love Flute, text and illustr. by Paul Goble

• Big Men, Big Country: A Collection Of American Tall Tales, text by Robert Paul Walker, illustr. by James Bernardin
• The Green Gourd: A North Carolina Folktale, text by C.W. Hunter, illustr. by Tony Griego
• Ishi's Tale Of Lizard, text by Leanne Hinton, illustr. by Susan L. Roth
• Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails, text by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak, illustr. by Vladyana Krykorka
• Sundiata: Lion King Of Mali, text and illustr. by David Wisniewski
• Surtsey: The Newest Place On Earth, text by Kathryn Lasky, photographs by Christopher G. Knight

• Aesop And Company With Scenes From His Legendary Life, text by Barbara Bader, illustr. by Arthur Geisert
• Days Of Awe: Stories For Rosh Hashanah And Yom Kippur, text by Eric A. Kimmel, illustr. by Erika Weihs