Children’s Literature Legacy Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, “have made, over a period of years, a significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences.” The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, selects the winner. The award was established in 1954 to honor Laura Ingalls Wilder, an American author best known for her “Little House” series. The award was renamed in 2018 following criticism that Wilder’s books include stereotypical references to Native Americans and African Americans. From 1980 to 2001, the award was given every three years. From 2001 to 2015, the ALSC presented the award every two years. In 2016, the ALSC began giving the award annually.
