The award is a golden medallion showing a child flying a kite.
Eligible books must be written or illustrated by SCBWI members, and submitted either by publishers or individuals.
"[1] Winners are chosen by a panel of judges consisting of children’s book writers and illustrators.
In addition to the Golden Kite Award winners, honor book recipients are named by the judges.
Since 2006, each category's winner wins a $2,500 grant cash prize, as well as $1,000 to donate to their chosen non-profit organization.