Final answer:
The award given to an American artist whose illustrations are distinguished is the Caldecott Medal. Established in 1937, the Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Step-by-step explanation:
The award given to an American artist whose illustrations are distinguished is the Caldecott Medal. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Established in 1937, the Caldecott Medal recognizes the artistic excellence of the illustrations in a children's book. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards for children's book illustrators.
Winners of the Caldecott Medal include renowned artists such as Chris Raschka, Jerry Pinkney, and Brian Selznick.