I t all started with the lemon pie, or so the story goes. The Guild's founders were three authors of children's books who met while working at adjoining desks in the Library of Congress Reading Room. Before long they invited other writers and children's book specialists to join them, and . . . The Guild was founded in 1945 as a professional organization to serve the community by promoting high standards in children's literature and to encourage the love of good books.
Today there are over seventy active Guild members.
About fifty are established authors, illustrators, and specialists in the field. Others represent public and school library systems, bookstores, and educational and governmental entities. The Guild, in connection with Montgomery College, sponsors seminars on children's literature, and its Speakers' Bureau recommends authors and illustrators for appearances at schools and book-related events. The Guild also established The Washington Post-Children's Book Guild award for Nonfiction. Since 1983 The Washington Post has joined in its sponsorship.