The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award was established in 2003 by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) to help Kindergarten through 3rd grade readers become familiar with books, illustrators and authors; encourage children to read critically; and to develop a statewide awareness of outstanding literature for children.
[1] The award name and image was chosen as a symbol of growth, change and freedom[2] and to help familiarize students with the state's insect.
[3] The award is given annually (beginning in 2005)[4] to a single author and/or illustrator by a collective vote of Kindergarten through 3rd grade students in Illinois.
[5] The award is administered by a steering committee that seeks nominations from public librarians, school library media specialist, teachers, and students.
[1] A volunteer reading committee then forms a master list of 20 of the nominated titles[6] which include a range of interests and reading levels as well as 3 of each of the following types of children's books: Students vote in February of each year for their favorite from the master list and the results are announced the following month.