Orbis Pictus Award 2016: A Celebration of Nonfiction Excellence

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) presents the prestigious Orbis Pictus Award annually to an outstanding American book published the previous year, recognizing excellence in promoting nonfiction in children's literature. In 2016, 'Hurricane City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans' by Don Brown was crowned with this esteemed award.

This powerful and informative book tells the story of one of the most devastating natural disasters in modern history - Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in August 2005. The author provides a detailed account of the hurricane's formation, its impact on the city, and the subsequent aftermath, highlighting the resilience of the people affected by it.

Brown's narrative is both informative and engaging, making it an excellent resource for classroom teaching from grades K-8. The book encourages critical thinking, promotes further reading, and models exemplary expository writing and research skills. Moreover, it shares interesting and timely subject matter that will appeal to a wide range of ages.

The Orbis Pictus Award is presented annually in recognition of nonfiction literature that informs children about the world around them. To be eligible, books must meet specific criteria, including accuracy, organization, design, and style. Additionally, they must be published during the previous calendar year in the United States and cannot be biographies, textbooks, historical fiction, folklore, or poetry.

The award is named after John Amos Comenius' book 'Orbis Sensualium Pictus' (or 'The World of Things Obvious to the Senses Drawn in Pictures'), which was published in 1657 and considered one of the first picture books for children. The NCTE Orbis Pictus Award continues this tradition, recognizing excellence in promoting nonfiction in children's literature.

'Hurricane City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans' is a testament to the power of nonfiction in shaping young minds and inspiring critical thinking. This book is an excellent example of how engaging storytelling can make complex topics accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages. Congratulations to Don Brown for his well-deserved win of the 2016 Orbis Pictus Award!

Orbis pictus award 2016