Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children's Literature Committee - National Council of Teachers of English

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NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Committee

 

The Orbis Pictus Award® was established in 1989 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. The name Orbis Pictus, commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures (1657), considered to be the first book actually planned for children.

The award is presented at the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon at the NCTE Annual Convention.

 

Charge

To select the recipient of the annual Orbis Pictus Award® and up to five honor books, and to promote the use of children’s nonfiction books in the classroom.

 
Current Members

CHAIR: Julia López-Robertson (2024)
(University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC)

Eliza Braden (2023)
(University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC)

Caryl Crowell (2025)
(Retired educator, Tucson, AZ)

Jason Griffith (2025)
(Penn State University, University Park, PA)

Becki Maldonado (2024)
(University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK)

Janelle Mathis (2025)
(University of North Texas, Denton, TX)

Melissa Wells (2025)
University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA)

Executive Committee Liaison, María E. Fránquiz
(University of Texas, Austin)

NCTE Staff, Sarah Miller

 

2019 Annual Report

Membership Application Process

Application Deadline:  December 1

To be considered for membership on the Orbis Pictus Award® Committee, submit the application form, current vitae or resume, and one example of a book annotation, book review, or evaluative comments about a recent nonfiction book. This example should be written by the applicant. Please contact NCTECommittees@ncte.org with any questions.

  • Chair of the Committee (serves 2 year appointment)
  • Seven members representing various regions of the United States and professions (academic, classroom teacher, librarian, etc).
  • Members serve a 3 year appointment with 2-3 new members selected each year.
  • Current NCTE members.
  • Not currently serving on any other national book committees (ALA, IRA, NCTE, or other).
  • Read all nonfiction books received in consideration for the award.
  • Participate in all activities of the committee during the year including online discussions, submissions of suggested books.
  • Attend the NCTE Annual Convention during the three years of membership on the committee.
  • Present at the NCTE Annual Convention during the Orbis Pictus session(s).
  • Attend the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon during the NCTE Annual Convention when the Orbis Pictus winner and honor books are recognized and announced.
  • Write book annotations for Language Arts and submit by deadline established by Chair.

Committee members may be removed at any time during the three-year appointment if they do not fulfill the expectations and responsibilities stated above.