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
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.

 

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 Years Winner:

2023

Love Grows Everywhere
written by Barry Timms
illustrated by Tisha Lee

love-grows-everywhere

PAST WINNERS:

2022

I Can Help
written by Reem Faruqi
illustrated by Mikela Prevost

ICanHelp_ReemFaruqi

2021

You Matter
written and illustrated by Christian Robinson

You-Matter

2020: hiatus

2019

Super Manny Cleans Up!
written by Kelly DiPucchio
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

Manny

2018

Shelter
written by Céline Claire
illustrated by Qin Leng

Shelter Bock Book_2018

2017

Please Please the Bees
written and illustrated
by Gerald Kelley

please-please-the-bees

2016

Maya's Blanket
La Manta de Maya

written by Monica Brown
illustrated by David Diaz

MayasBlanket

2015

Winter Is Coming
written by Tony Johnston
illustrated by Jim LaMarche

WinterIsComing

2014

The Cat With Seven Names
written by Tony Johnston
illustrated by Christine Davenier

The-Cat-with-Seven-Names-1

2013

The Sandal Artist
written by Kathleen T. Pelley
illustrated by Lois Rosio Sprague

TheSandalArtist

2012

The Ocean Story
written by John Seven
illustrated by Jana Christy

TheOceanStory

2011

Mama Miti
written by Donna Jo Napoli
illustrated by Kadir Nelson

MamaMiti

2010

Felina’s New Home
written by Loran Wlodarski
illustrated by Lew Clayton

wlodarski

2009

Zen Ties
written and illustrated by
Jon Muth

ZenTiesBookCover

2008

We Are One
written by Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
illustrated by Brian Pinkney

bock08

2007

Brother Juniper
written by Diane Gibfried
illustrated by Meilo So

gibfried_07

2006

Daniel and His Walking Stick
written by Wendy McCormick
illustrated Constance R. Bergum

BockBook06

2005

Boxes for Katje
written by Candace Fleming
illustrated by
Stacey Dresser-McQueen

fleming_award

2004

The Boy with a Wish
written by Harry B. Knights

knights_award

2003

In the Blink of an Eye
written by Dieter Wiesmüller

wiesmuller_award

2002

Where Does God Live?
written by Holly Bea
illustrated by Kim Howard

bea_award

2001

Each Living Thing
written by Joanne Ryder
illustrated by Ashley Wolff

ryder_award

2000

Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey
written by Robert Byrd

byrd_award