In 1921, Frederic G.Melcher had the Newbery Medal designed by René Paul Chambellan. The medal has the winner's name, the date recieved, and the phrase "Children's Librarian's Sections" engraved on it. The organization has changed its name four times in the last 80 years and now contains both public libraries and school libraries.
Frederis G. MelcherFrederic G.Melcher presented his idea for the nebery medal, which recieved its name from bookseller John Newbery, on June 22, 1921. The idea was enthussiastically accepted by the American Library Association board. Melcher stated the the purpose fot he medal was "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."
The very first Newbery Award winner was "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem van Loon.The Newbery Award was considered is considered for many books, and the books that do not win are reffered to as "Honor Books" instead of "Runners-up".The Newbery Medal became the very first children's book award in the world and continues to be the most popular and well known award.I think this award was a very good idea and continued to be praised throughout the nearly 90 years its been awarded. The winners and the honor books are more highly respected and thought of because of this award.
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