Ezra Jack Keats Award

The Ezra Jack Keats Award recognizes promising new creators of picture books for young children. Named for the author and illustrator of The Snowy Day, it is presented by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. Since 2012 it has been co-presented by the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi and given at the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival; the New York Public Library was the co-presenter from 1986 to 2011.

The award began in 1985 with a prize for writers. An illustrator award was added in 2001, and honor books followed in 2012. A committee of early childhood specialists, librarians, illustrators and children's literature experts looks for books that capture universal experiences of childhood, show strong and supportive families, and reflect a multicultural world. Each winner receives a cash prize along with the award.

Picture books for children aged nine and under by writers or illustrators who have published no more than three books before.