The William Allen White Children's Book Award is a set of two annual awards for books selected by vote of Kansas schoolchildren from lists prepared by committee.
As a single award it was established in 1952 by Ruth Garver Gagliardo, a children's literature specialist at Emporia State University, which continues to direct the program.
[1] It is named for William Allen White (1868–1944), long-time publisher and editor of The Emporia Gazette.
After Saturday morning activities, student representatives present medals to the winning writers at the Awards Ceremony.
[9] At least once (2011), a writer declined because of a conflict on the celebration date and was replaced as the White Award winner.