Tall Tales

Legends with the added element of exaggeration. Focus on individuals usually male who accomplish impossible tasks using great strength and then become famous for exploits. US is where they have flourished.

Paul Bunyan (Disney):

Pecos Bill (read by Robin Williams):

John Henry (sung by Johnny Cash):

Annie Oakley (television program):

Charlotte Zolotow Award

Information about the Charlotte Zolotow Award

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is given annually to the author of the best picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year. Established in 1998, the award is named to honor the work of Charlotte Zolotow, a distinguished children's book editor for 38 years with Harper Junior Books, and author of more than 70 picture books, including such classic works as Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present (Harper, 1962) and William's Doll(Harper, 1972). Ms. Zolotow attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison on a writing scholarship from 1933-36 where she studied with Professor Helen C. White.

The award is administered by the Cooperative Children's Book Center, a children's literature library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year a committee of children's literature experts selects the winner from the books published in the preceding year. The winner is announced in January each year. A bronze medallion is formally presented to the winning author in the spring during an annual public event that honors the career of Charlotte Zolotow.

1998 Winner (First Year of Award)

2014 Winner