Best Illustrated Books - Slide Show - NYTimes.com Behold the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2012, with sample artwork from each of the 10 winners. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Times Best Illustrated awards. Since 1952, the Book Review has convened an independent panel of three judges from the world of children's literature to select picture books on the basis of artistic merit. Each year, the judges choose from among thousands of picture books, for what is the only annual award of its kind. RED KNIT CAP GIRL Written and illustrated by Naoko Stoop. Megan Tingley Books/Little, Brown & Company. $15.99. Ages 3 to 6