Corey R. Tabor wins 2024 Geisel Award for ‘Fox Has a Problem’

BALTIMORE — Author and illustrator Corey R. Tabor is the 2024 recipient of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for “Fox Has a Problem,” published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held Jan. 19–22 in Baltimore. 

The Geisel Award is given to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. Award winners are recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading. Award and honor book recipients will receive their awards in San Diego during the ALA Annual Conference in June. 

Fox has a problem, a big problem. Fox also has ideas that lead to unforeseen trouble for his neighbors. And now they all have a fox problem. It takes an outside perspective and some cooperation to find a solution.

Using watercolor and colored pencil to create an autumnal scene, illustrations capture character traits and setting with notable detail and a heavy dose of humor. Perspective shifts seamlessly, encouraging prediction and propelling the reader to a successful reading experience.

“’Fox Has a Problem’ is a perfect marriage of text and illustration, humor and suspense. Tabor’s masterful page turns and carefully chosen vocabulary will hook new readers,” said Geisel Award Committee Chair Gwen Vanderhage.

Two Geisel Honor Books were named: 

“Henry, Like Always” by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song and published by Chronicle Books. Told in five brief chapters, Henry likes the predictable schedule of Classroom Ten until he must navigate change when he learns a parade will replace Share Time on Friday. Henry, like always, finds his own way to participate with the help of a friend and a special item.

“Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends,” written and illustrated by Kaz Windness and published by Simon Spotlight, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. This lushly illustrated graphic novel celebrates the relationship between two similar yet very different friends. Young readers will anticipate Caterpillar’s metamorphosis and will be curious about Worm’s reaction to these changes. Humor and heartfelt conversations create a page-turning plot that will engage new readers.

The members of the 2024 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Committee are Chair Gwen Vanderhage, Brodart Company, Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Katie Cerqua, Virginia Beach Public Library, Virginia; Pauline Harris, San Francisco Public Library; Maria Kiely, Nyack Library, Tappan, New York; Louie Lauer, Fargo Public Schools, North Dakota; Mara Rosenberg, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, Washington, D.C.; Josie Schneider, Kansas City Public Library, Missouri; and Rebecca Highland, Oakland Public Library, California (award administrative assistant).

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC members are committed to engaging communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at  www.ala.org/alsc.

For more information on the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit  www.ala.org/yma. 

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

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