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Sure, we may be mired in the dark days of winter, but you wouldn't know it by the splash of color that saturated the American Library Association's annual award presentation Monday — from the pastels on the pages of the picture books, to the two bronze medals that represent some of the highest honors in children's literature.

won this year's Newbery Medal, awarded for the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." Meanwhile, Sophie Blackall's 

 won the Caldecott Medal, which goes to the artist behind the "most distinguished American picture book for children."

It is the second Caldecott Medal for Blackall in just four years, as the illustrator also 

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear

, the ceremony that regularly crowns the association's midwinter meeting in Seattle, but these awards were by no means the only ones handed out.

In fact, more than a dozen other prizes got distributed.

 for young adult literature; the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for work geared toward beginning readers, which was awarded to Corey R. Tabor's 

; and the Coretta Scott King Awards, which celebrate the best works by African-American authors and illustrators celebrating the black experience.

The latter award, which was named for the activist and wife of Martin Luther King Jr., is celebrating 

 or just scroll down. You can also check out a glimpse inside the covers of the Caldecott winner, 

, illustrated and written by Sophie Blackall.

 (for "the most distinguished American book for beginning readers"): 

, written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor.

 (for an author or illustrator whose books "over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children's lives and experiences"): Walter Dean Myers.

Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media

(for "distinguished digital media for an early learning audience"): 

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 

(for "the most distinguished informational book"): 

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

(for the publisher of the most outstanding books originating in a country other than the U.S. and in a language other than English, later translated and published in the U.S.): 

, published by Thames & Hudson, written by Evelina Daciūtė, illustrated by Ausra Kiudulaitė, and translated from Lithuanian by the Translation Bureau.

 (selecting an honoree "who shall prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children's literature"): Neil Gaiman.

(for "a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth"):

 (for "the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit"): 

 (for "the best nonfiction book published for young adults — ages 12-18"): 

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

 (for work "published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature"): 

 (for the "best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the U.S."): 

, produced by Macmillan Audio, written by Courtney Summers, narrated by Rebecca Soler, Fred Berman, Dan Bittner, Gabra Zackman and more.

 (for "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature"): M.T. Anderson.

(for "books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values"):

 (for work of "exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience"):

 (for "a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences"):

(for "outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience"):

Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Award for Literature

(for outstanding "work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage"):

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Colin Dwyer

Author

The world of children's books gave out its most prestigious prizes Monday at the American Library Association's conference in Seattle. Works by Meg Medina and Sophie Blackall won the headline honors.

An excerpt of Sophie Blackall's 'Hello Lighthouse'.

Sophie Blackall | Courtesy of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

An excerpt of Sophie Blackall's Hello Lighthouse

An excerpt of Sophie Blackall's Hello Lighthouse

'Merci Suarez' wins Newbery Medal, and 'Hello Lighthouse' draws Caldecott

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