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 $750 for the author, $750 for the illustrator, 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.

This Year's Winner:

2017 Please Please the Bees written and illustrated  by Gerald Kelley

Past Winners:

2016 Maya's Blanket La Manta de Maya  by Monica Brown illustrated by David Diaz             2015 Winter Is Coming by Tony Johnston illustrated by Jim LaMarche                   2014   The Cat With Seven Names   by Tony Johnston   illustrated by Christine Davenier             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

Please feel free to contact the Library at any time by calling 610-558-5545 or via e-mail at library@neumann.edu.