The Krout and Elmore Children’s Book Award for Best Portrayal of Aging from the Gerontological Society of America is awarded each year to recognize positive portrayals of older adults in picture books for children.*
Each year, one “Awardee” and possible “Honorable Mentions” will be recognized. Books must portray meaningful aging through the text and illustrations.
*We use the Caldecott Medal definition: “A ‘picture book for children, ’ as distinguished from other books with illustrations, is one that essentially provides the child with a visual experience. A picture book has a collective unity of storyline, theme, or concept developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised. A ‘picture book for children’ is one for which children are an intended potential audience. The book displays respect for children’s understanding, abilities, and appreciation. Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen, and picture books for this entire age range are to be considered.”
Submission Period: Spring 2025
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, a book must have been published in the two calendar years prior to the award year (i.e., books published in 2023 and 2024 are eligible for the 2025 award).
Nomination Process
Nominations are welcome from all society members, as well as from children’s book publishers, librarians, and others. Nominations must be submitted through the GSA award nomination website to be considered.
Review Process
Publishers of the nominated books will be notified and requested to send a copy of the book - either hard or electronic copy - for each member of the review panel (hard copies to be donated to a Title I school library after review). Each member of the review panel will read each book and rate the text and illustrations on a scale of 3 (3 = Outstanding, 2 = Acceptable, and 1 = Poor) on these five criteria:
1. How well does the book portray meaningful aging?
2. How well does the book portray positive intergenerational relations?
3. How well does the book show the diversity of the aging experience?
4. How well does the book engage** its intended audience?
5. How realistically does the book portray aging?
The Honoree and Honorable Mention awards will be given respectively to the books with the highest and second-highest total ratings.
**Engage refers to a quality of fostering interaction or further conversation about the text and illustrations. Examples may include interactive activities, ancillary items that aid in the use of the book, read-alouds on YouTube, study guides/workbooks for classrooms, and more.
Notification
Following the selection of the recipients, GSA will send announcement letters to the author(s) and illustrator(s), the nominator, and the publisher of awardees and honorees. GSA will also notify the American Library Association.