Nicholas Day, Brett Helquist win 2024 Sibert Medal

BALTIMORE — Nicholas Day and Brett Helquist, author and illustrator of “The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity,” were named the winners of the 2024 Robert F. Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children published in 2023. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held Jan. 19–22 in Baltimore.

“The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity” published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, is narrative nonfiction that masterfully blends in-depth research, mystery and humor. The interwoven tales of Da Vinci, Mona Lisa and the heist that made her famous, paired with Helquist’s clever illustrations is a distinguished addition to the canon of informational books for children, the Sibert Medal Committee said.

“This immersive story of the Mona Lisa’s creation, theft and explosion into fame is captivating from the first page to the last,” said Committee Chair Joyce R. Laiosa.

The Sibert Medal Committee also selected four Honor Books.

“The Book of Turtles,” written by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Matt Patterson and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

The unexpected opener fascinates right from the start of this engaging picture book. Montgomery packs in a lot of information about different species in a narrative that flows fluidly. Detailed and expressive illustrations complement the text.              

Montgomery, winner of numerous awards including the Sibert Award, draws from her experience with turtle rescues and raising baby painted turtles.

Patterson’s vivid and lifelike art has won national and international acclaim. He, too, uses his work to advocate for turtles.

“Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes,” written by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Shannon Wright and published by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Books Inc. 

In this tribute to Jackie Ormes, the first syndicated Black woman cartoonist in the United States, Todd presents an exuberant child who grows into the successful creator of comic strips featuring Black characters who confront prejudice and fear. Ormes’ signature style is portrayed in Wright’s jazzy illustrations.

Todd is a children’s author who writes for every child, especially Black and brown children of all identities.

Wright is an illustrator, cartoonist and educator known for her work on the graphic novel “Twins.”

“Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider,” written and illustrated by Jessica Lanan and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing. 

“Jumper” is a delightful, educational journey into the world of a charismatic arachnid. The charming illustrations bring the backyard to life and capture the spider's perspective with vivid detail. Lanan not only sparks a child's imagination but also fosters an appreciation for the intricate wonders of the natural world.

Lanan is an author, illustrator and painter. She created “The Fisherman and the Whale” and has illustrated many other books.

“Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor,” written by Martin W. Sandler and published by Astra Young Readers, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House

Sandler captures the excitement and mystique of sunken treasure and underwater archaeology in this exploration of shipwrecks and their excavations across the globe. “Shipwrecked!” deftly conveys the history and diverse culture(s) associated with each ship discussed as well as the innovation required to extract each wreck and its stories.

Sandler has written over 70 books, including the National Book Award-winning “1919: The Year That Changed America” and several Young Adult Library Services Association Nonfiction finalists.

The award was established by ALSC and named to commemorate Robert F. Sibert, founder of Bound to Stay Bound Books Inc., of Jacksonville, Illinois. Sibert was known for his early work in establishing standards of bookbinding.

Members of the 2024 Sibert Medal Committee are Chair Joyce R. Laiosa, Slingerlands, New York; Jill Bellomy, Highland Park Middle School, Dallas; Amanda Chuong, Princeton Public Library, New Jersey; Melody R. Frese, Ladue Middle School, St. Louis; Pamela M. Greene, Los Angeles; Rachel Patton, Manzano Day School, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Kirbie Sondreal, Grand Forks Public Library, North Dakota; Melissa Stovall, First Americans Museum (FAM), Oklahoma City; and Julie Laney, Roswell, Georgia (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, its members are committed to engaging communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children through libraries. To learn more, visit their website at www.ala.org/alsc.

For information on the Robert F. Sibert Medal 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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