150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
Rhythm Rescue
Vicky Weber
2021 Gold Medal
21 Pages
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Children - Educational
Outstanding illustrations will attract children to Rhythm Rescue, especially the shining and sometimes reflective eyes in portrait close-ups while the wonderfully imaginative story by author Vicky Weber will keep them entertained. What a wonderful way to keep children entranced—they can help summon the main character’s special powers! Children—and parents—will enjoy clapping to the interactive clapping rhythm “Ta, Ti-ti” or “1, 1-and,” which activates the main character’s superpowers of strength and flight. This book takes readers on a journey during a storm filled with obstacles, fallen trees, and raging rivers. Can Tala help the police officer? Can she fly high enough to catch the tree from falling on Nina’s house? You’ll have to read it to find out.
I love how you can see reflections in the eyes of some close-up illustrations of Rhythm Rescue. Illustrator Geneviève Viel-Taschereau has created some awesome, full-color artwork filled showing the emotions of the main character Tala and her friend Nina. Author Vicky Weber has created a fun adventure that takes readers on a journey filled with challenges that Tala conquers with a special clapping pattern. Will she need to summon her strength and demonstrate how strong she can be? Or will we help activate her flying skills to solve a problem by clapping to a different rhythm? I think every school library, public library, and even home library would benefit by having this book on the shelf. Entertaining story plus outstanding illustrations equal wonderful book.
Recommend this book:
Jack
Norman Whaler
2020 Finalist
28 Pages
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Children - Educational
Oh no! Jack is sick with the measles and home from school. Of course, the best part of missing school is staying at home, watching TV, and playing games but his mom won't let him. He could read but books are just boring. So, he's stuck at home with nothing to do. Luckily, it's a beautiful day outside his window with luscious, puffy clouds that seem to change by the minute. All he has to do is look outside and his imagination goes crazy. From knights to white rabbits to dinosaurs, there's so much to see.
Jack by Norman Whaler is a wonderful children's book for kids aged five to seven. I think it can also be read to slightly younger readers as a storytime or bedtime book. The pages are filled with colors and interesting illustrations, an easy-to-read font, and rhymes. It is sure to catch any young reader's attention. I loved at the end that the author has added counting questions for kids to interact with the story. It keeps the fun going as kids are sure to go back through the book to find the answers. I also quite enjoyed that the author stressed just how much fun reading can be. The author shows kids how reading can stay with you and your imagination can take you to new places. If readers enjoy this book, and I'm sure many will, the author has included the covers of his other books that appear to be just as colorful as this one. I am excited to see what else he has done and what might come next.
Recommend this book:
Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me
Valerie J. Lewis Coleman
2020 Honorable Mention
34 Pages
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Children - Educational
If you enjoyed the Dr. Seuss book titled Oh, the Places You’ll Go, you’ll love Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me. This new book by author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman introduces children to many different occupations written in story form. While MeMe is looking after two grandchildren, Lyric and Samara, she tells them of people who have succeeded in their professions. Although the story features famous black Americans, such as Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, and Mariah Carey, everyone can benefit from the encouraging underlying messages. You can be whatever you want to be. This book also encourages creative play—indoors and outdoors.
The realistic-looking artwork by illustrator Natasza Remesz will help to draw young children into the book and the story will keep them interested. Author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman has written a book to inspire children to be whatever they want to be. MeMe, the grandmother, provides several role models while she babysits her two grandchildren. After reading the book, why not read it again and act out the roles? Draw a picture while they’re talking about artists, sing when they discuss famous musicians, play a sport when they discuss well-known athletes, play doctor with a doll or plush toy, or pretend to be a teacher. This book encourages creative play and letting children dream about what they would like to be when they grow up. There are two activities at the back of the book to please teachers and parents. I think all public and school libraries should have Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me.
Recommend this book:
What I Tell Myself FIRST
Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem
Michael A Brown
2020 Bronze Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Educational
What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem is a social issues picture book for children, grades k-3, written by Michael A. Brown and illustrated by Zoe Ranucci. Who am I? A simple question, but the answer can provide a child with room and time to begin considering who they actually are beyond the formality of name and family identification. The short answer is, of course, one’s name, but there’s so much more that can be explored. Children are faced with an existence that often seems to require a graduate-level understanding of philosophy in a world that gets ever more complex.
Michael A. Brown’s compilation of affirmations goes a long way towards guiding children to consider themselves, their identities and their choices in a positive and engaging way. Brown is never preachy nor does he fall into the trap of didacticism. Rather, he approaches each of the issues he covers in this marvelous workbook from a child’s perspective. He takes his readers very seriously, and it shows in the way he communicates with them. I was inspired by this book and feel that anyone who reads this book, child and caregiver alike, will find it as inspiring as I did. Reading it can lead to discussions about truth, lies, visions and even why some people just can’t excel at some things while they do at others.
Zoe Ranucci’s illustrations do an outstanding job of reinforcing the author’s goals and visions. Her kids feel real, neither stereotypes nor cartoon images, and readers will find characters to identify with on every page. Even left-handed kids will find kids just like them throughout the pages of this book. Lefties are often left out or overlooked; Brown and Ranucci’s work fairly teems with left-handed artists, writers, and ballerinas. What I Tell Myself FIRST may help readers of all ages become just a bit more self-aware as well as help to build their self-esteem. It really is the most remarkable and accomplished children’s book and is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Wild About the Alphabet!
And Other Tales
Mike Crowder
2020 Silver Medal
64 Pages
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Children - Educational
Mike Crowder’s Wild About the Alphabet! And Other Tales is a delightfully challenging and entertaining alphabet book for grown-ups. I found this book at times surprisingly educational and other times so funny I laughed out loud. This is the perfect book for someone ill or feeling low but only if they don’t mind those around them eyeballing them when they burst out laughing. And, not only does Mike Crowder stimulate our thinking by teaching us new animals and their names, but he also rewards us with his abstract depictions of the animals which are artistically expressive and well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Crowder’s unique collection of illustrations of animals, some of which I had never heard of before I read this book. Each letter captivated me and I soon found myself engrossed in the descriptions, illustrations, and the names of odd animals with even more unusual portraits. I found myself smiling, and yes sometimes I even laughed out loud as I read each page and examined each drawing. I like the unusual choice of animals to portray each letter of the alphabet as well as the unique artwork. I also like the animals given honorable mention and illustration, as well as the thoughtful guide to teach us how to pronounce the unusual names, found at the back of the book. Wild About the Alphabet! is amazingly informative and scholastically entertaining at the same time.
I can see Wild About the Alphabet! becoming a must-read among students of literature and art as well as those enduring a long flight or illness or any other stressful situation. My husband of 45 years died two months ago and I have had few instances of spontaneous laughter until I read Wild About the Alphabet! I highly recommend Mike Crowder’s book to those interested in literature, words, art, and, of course, animals.
Recommend this book:
A Rainbow Every Day
Fiona Smart
2020 Gold Medal
38 Pages
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Children - Educational
A Rainbow Every Day is an educational children’s picture book written by Fiona Smart and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. The little boy in this story loved to play with his favorite toy, his unicorn king. The two of them would go on voyages to imaginary lands where everything was fun and delicious things to eat were abundant. He found lollipop trees, cupcake clouds, and even a hot dog train. Then one day, after overindulging in sweets, the little boy felt awful. Was he ill? Or was it indigestion? His best friend, the unicorn, had some marvelous advice for him. The unicorn gestured to the colorful rainbow arching overhead and explained how its bright colors remind him to eat colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Following that rainbow meant you’d have the energy and stamina to keep on playing and get stronger day by day. The unicorn also sang him a song about the rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables. Who knew getting strong and healthy could be so much fun?
Fiona Smart’s A Rainbow Every Day is a fun and light-hearted introduction to healthy eating for kids. Smart includes a search-for puzzle on every page -- can you find the golden star? -- and she also provides a link to a recording of the official “A Rainbow Every Day” song. While the more skeptical child may still prefer cupcakes to beets (after all, honestly, who doesn’t?), Smart’s verses give kids real-world reasons for choosing the healthy stuff. Vanessa Alexandre’s cheerful and colorful illustrations are loads of fun to look at as caregivers and children alike enjoy the story of a small boy and his unicorn friend. This book might actually convince some young readers to try a colorful fruit or veggie or two, and that’s a good thing. A Rainbow Every Day is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Secret Garden
The Amazing Life of Caterpillars
Fei Fei Chiam
2019 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Children - Educational
Another creative take on children’s picture books is Secret Garden: The Amazing Life of Caterpillars by Fei Fei Chiam. Simple yet engaging, it poetically narrates the life cycle of butterflies in short bursts of verses per page. While the grownups among us are well aware of a butterfly’s cycle from egg to adult, Chiam adds a little element of fantasy in the middle of the process by involving fairies as instrumental elements in the creation of butterflies. While picture books are traditionally illustrated, Chiam highlights her tale with photography of young girls on stage in a ballet performance, depicting through dance the lepidopteran coming of age. She dedicates this short read to all children, that they may become curious about the things around them.
Sublimity resides in the simplicity of this tale. Mostly young girls would find this story charming with its visual metaphor of young ballerinas as flowers, caterpillars, fairies, and butterflies. The photography is arresting. As readers are invited to explore a butterfly’s development, the ages of ballerinas also change--performers designated as flowers and caterpillars are grade schoolers, while butterflies are young adults. Secret Garden was originally a ballet performance and this book allows us to take part as an audience. As both author and photographer, Fei Fei Chiam succeeds not only in telling a story but also in inspiring children to aspire for greater things. Meticulous parents of early readers will find this book a delight. It is a feel-good, inspirational picture book that will not disappoint.
Recommend this book:
The Shadow of the Volcano
Shadows From the Past, Book 5
Wendy Leighton-Porter
2019 Bronze Medal
270 Pages
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Children - Educational
The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is an historical adventure novel for children and preteens written by Wendy Leighton-Porter. It had already been a busy summer as the twins, Max, and their friend, Charlie, continued to search for the twins' parents who were lost in time. They had already been to Atlantis, ancient Crete, Troy, and ancient Egypt, but each time they found that their parents had been there, but had left some time before. Now they were ready for another adventure, and they consulted the strange book that kept sending them out to find their parents. This time, they ended up in Pompeii in August of AD 79. The eleven-year-olds arrived and found themselves in a line of people on a dock. Before they knew it, they were sold as slaves, fortunately as a group and to a kind master. Still, adapting to the concept of being a slave is challenging, and convincing the friends they make during their stay and their kindly master to flee before Vesuvius erupts is even more difficult. Will they be able to escape Pompeii themselves before it's too late?
Wendy Leighton-Porter's historical adventure novel for children and preteens, The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five, finds the time-travelers in Pompeii, and seeing the doomed city and its inhabitants just days before the eruption is poignant and moving. While this is book five in Leighton-Porter's Shadows From the Past historical series, each of these books is complete and can be read as a stand-alone novel. I was fascinated by the historical aspect of this work as I was not all that familiar with Pompeii, aside from the tragic images taken after the town was rediscovered. The author breathes life anew into Pompeii, showing the likely culture one would have found there at that time in history. She also addresses the issue of slavery in an upfront and personal way by having her characters experience it first-hand. The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is a thrilling and exciting read, and it's most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Sweet Neighbors Come in All Colors
Lisa Blecker
2019 Silver Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Educational
Sweet Neighbors Come in All Colors is a children’s educational picture book written and illustrated by Lisa Blecker, and based upon a song by Dick Grover. Fruits and vegetables come in an astounding array of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, but they’re all quite good for you. A trip to a farmers’ market can be an amazing experience for a young child who’s only been to supermarkets with mom and dad. There are new fruits and vegetables that look so strange and different than the grocery store produce, but they’re all still “lovable stuff.” One of the best things about farmers’ markets is that most stands offer samples of their fruits and vegetables in bite-sized portions so kids and their adult companions can discover just how delicious they really are.
Lisa Blecker’s children’s picture book opens with the score of Dick Grover’s song along with the full set of lyrics Blecker composed for it. The pages that follow demonstrate beautifully the message behind those lyrics. I love how well this fable speaks to more than fruit or vegetables. It’s an eloquent and profound statement about kids and parents as well. Some are large; others are small and wiry. There are people of all nationalities, races, and creeds out there, and kids instinctively seem to know that they are all “lovable stuff.” Blecker’s book simply and elegantly expands kids’ world of experience about produce while it confirms their innate acceptance of all different kinds of people. Her illustrations are upbeat and happy, and, yes, quite lovable. This is one of those books which will have adults and kids alike smiling along with those sweet neighbors as they read the story and even have a sing-along or two. Sweet Neighbors Come in All Colors is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
If You Were Me and Lived in... Poland
A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World (Volume 18)
Carole P. Roman
2019 Gold Medal
37 Pages
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Children - Educational
Written by Carole P. Roman, an award-winning author, If You Were Me and Lived in… Poland is a delightful book that highlights Poland’s culture from its wonderful cuisine to its history. It is volume eighteen in the series, If You Were Me and Lived in…, an educational sequence of children’s books that seek to inform and build curiosity in a child and encourage them to learn about different cultures of the world. Carole P. Roman writes about Poland from a young person’s perspective, providing a fun way for children to learn what their lives would be like if they lived in Poland. It is written in an interesting and elaborate way, aided by the inclusions of appropriate illustrations. Kelsea Wierenga, the illustrator of If You Were Me and Lived in… Poland, does a wonderful job.
One particular thing that stands out in this book for me, like all others written by Carole P. Roman, is her ability to engage the young reader and captivate their imagination. As I read the book, I began imagining what it would have been like growing up in Poland and the different fun activities I would have loved to try out. As cultural tensions mount around the world, books like If You Were Me and Lived in… Poland serve as a great source of inspiration for children. The child learns how to appreciate diversity, which persuades them to open up to new opportunities presented by societal variations. The book is highly educational and consequently most recommended.