The Monarch Award
The Monarch Award is given annually (beginning in 2005) to an author and/or illustrator of a book voted as their favorite by participating K - 3 children in Illinois. The award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) and is designed to encourage Illinois students to read critically and to become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators.
The award is named in honor of the Monarch Butterfly, Illinois state insect. The butterfly symbolizes growth, change and freedom qualities that also characterize the emergent reader.