Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award
for Children's Literature

The Library and the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies sponsor the Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children's Literature. The award ceremony takes place on or close to October 4 (St. Francis Day) every year and includes educational activities related to the winning story for young guests to the campus. Submissions are accepted between January and April 30 of each calendar year and winners are selected by committee each August. 

To submit a book for consideration, publishers should send one copy of the title to:

            
Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award
Neumann University Library
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014

Bock Family

	Frances & Wesley Bock

Wesley Bock was co-owner of Kilner's, a store in north central Philadelphia that provided equipment, clothing, and supplies to religious institutions. As sales representative to the Sisters of St. Francis, he grew to be quite fond of the Sisters and began making contributions to the order.

When Wesley passed away, his wife Frances continued the contributions. When she passed away, the estate passed to their nephew, who, in consultation with the Library, established the Bock Book Award in their memory.

The award acknowledges Franciscan values in children's books and gives each year's winner a prize of $500, a plaque, and a gold emblazoned emblem for the book.

Criteria
The criteria for consideration for this award:

The text should be

- values-oriented which would appeal to the child's sense of wonder and
  curiosity from ages 3 to 8 years.

- interesting and stimulating.

- pleasing and aesthetic.

The illustrations should

- provide support for interpreting the story.

- instill a reverence for and compassion for all creation.

- depict creation, in all of its diversity.

Both the text and illustrations should promote a moral attitude and/or action.

Past Winners

2013 The Sandal Artist by Kathleen T. Pelley illustrated by Lois Rosio Sprague
			2012 The Ocean Story by John Seven illustrated by Jana Christy
2011 Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli illustrated by Kadir Nelson
		2010 Felina’s New Home by Loran Wlodarski illustrated by Lew Clayton
2009 Zen Ties by Jon Muth
		2008 We Are One by Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell illustrated by Brian Pinkney
2007 Brother Juniper by Diane Gibfried illustrated by Meilo So
		2006 Daniel and His Walking Stick by Wendy McCormick illustrated Constance R. Bergum
2005 Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming illustrated by Stacey Dresser-McQueen
		2004 The Boy with a Wish by Harry B. Knights
2003 In the Blink of an Eye by Dieter Wiesmüller
		2002 Where Does God Live? by Holly Bea illustrated by Kim Howard
2001 Each Living Thing by Joanne Ryder illustrated by Ashley Wolff
		2000 Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey by Robert Byrd