The Brazilian section of the International Board on Books for Young People – IBBY, founded on May 23, 1968, is constituted as a private institution, federal and state public utility, technical, educational and cultural character without profit organization, established in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
The FNLIJ mission is to promote reading and recommend quality books for children and young people, defending their right and access to literature through school, public and community libraries, and thus to contribute to the improvement of their education and quality of life, as a fundamental value for education and citizenship.
In 1975, FNLIJ began its annual awards, with FNLIJ Award – Best for kids, highest distinction granted to the best children’s and youth books, which now has several categories: Child, Young, Image, Poetry, Information, Translation Child, Translation Young, Information translation, Translation Re-telling, Editorial Design, Revelation Author, Illustrator Revelation, Best Illustration, Theatre, Toy Book, Theoretical, retold and Portuguese Language Literature.
In the selection’s process of FNLIJ Annual Award, the books received by FNLIJ are read and evaluated at different stages by experts from all regions of Brazil and by readers’ vote.
The FNLIJ receives the most recent books published annually by all Brazilian publishers and after a thorough analysis, the Foundation selects the best books to become part of its archive and to receive the Seal Highly Commended FNLIJ. The list of books may, in the opinion of FNLIJ, be part of a library with the endorsement of this institution.