2023 Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition

Over the past 37 years, New York City public schoolchildren have written and illustrated enough books to fill a mid-sized library. And every single book is unique; they are all made by hand and touch on virtually every subject kids think, imagine and worry about between ages 7 and 18.  Each book will touch the reader in a special way and some reach heights of artistry and imagination that leave readers awestruck. 

This literary and artistic activity is inspired by participation in the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition. The program is administered by  the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, New York City Public Schools, and Brooklyn Public Library.  For the tenth year, Brooklyn Public Library is delighted to host the judging, award ceremony and exhibition of the honorable mention, borough, and city winner’s books. By every measure, this initiative continues to be a great success.

On display in Central Library's Youth Wing are all of the schoolwide winning students, as well as borough and city winners.

We, at Brooklyn Public Library, are proud to host the 2023 EJK Bookmaking Exhibition and we hope, after seeing the student’s incredible work on this page, you’ll visit the Youth Wing to see the books in person! 

To learn more about the 2023 Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Exhibition please click here.

To learn more about the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition please click here.

Gracey Zhang, Author/Illustrator
Guest Judge and Speaker
Gracey Zhang is an award-winning illustrator and author and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She received the 2022 Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award for her debut picture book, Lala’s Words. Gracey also illustrated The Big Bath House, Nigel and The Moon, and The Upside Down Hat, which was a New York Times Library Best Illustrated Book of 2022. Her illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, VICE, and on NBC, among others. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
You can explore more of Gracey Zhang’s work on her website, at www.graceyzhang.com/ or on her Instagram page, @graceyyz.