The Read Aloud award was given each year to the
chapter book and
picture book released in the previous year that best meet the ideal of the "Read Aloud" title. The ABC defined a good "Read Aloud" title as a book that booksellers recommended to customers who asked for suggestions on books to read with their family. Nominated picture books were often successfully used by booksellers for storytimes sessions, while chapter books were often books that booksellers had read and loved, had shared with their families, or had recommended for use in classrooms or the library. The ABC listed possible criteria for a great "Read Aloud" title as including dynamic writing, engaging themes, and universal appeal. The association also emphasized a strong relationship between writing and illustrations for picture books. ==Recipients==