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:
Petunia the Unicorn's Dazzling Christmas Debut
A Petunia Cupcake Fluffybottom Book
R.L. Ullman

2022 Finalist
40 Pages
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Children - General

If you are a unicorn lover - and who isn’t – you’ll adore the magical new series by R.L. Ullman that begins with Petunia the Unicorn’s Dazzling Christmas Debut. We know children need a lot of courage to start a new school. Now imagine that school is full of little human children and you are the only unicorn! Meet Petunia Cupcake Fluffybottom - the ideal unicorn for some big-city adventures in her new home of Manhattan. Children will immediately take to Petunia, as they would to Winnie the Pooh or Peppa Pig. Best-selling author R.L. Ullman has done it again with this new series that will delight pre-school readers with a charming, simple, and relatable story. Petunia’s family includes the never dull Lady Rainbow Sprinkles (or Auntie Sprinkles, as Petunia calls her), Gumdrop, their tiny dog that thinks he’s larger than a Labrador; and Winston, the patient and stereotypical calm, cultured human butler. The beautiful colored illustrations by Yusup Mediyan are both captivating and welcoming to readers. The bright, bold scenes are wonderful animated additions to Petunia’s magical journey.
Petunia the Unicorn’s Dazzling Christmas Debut will appeal to young readers as they relate to Petunia’s feelings about starting a new school and moving to a new city. Readers will also recognize familiar experiences of both wanting to fit in with other children yet also needing to showcase their own unique and special talents. In this first adventure, Petunia learns to believe in herself, and with some reassurance from Auntie Sprinkles, she can overcome her fear of participating in the school play. She acts with courage and shows her true colors even when technical difficulties threaten the Christmas concert finale! If you want to light up little smiles around the Christmas tree this year, introduce your young ones to Petunia the Unicorn’s Dazzling Christmas Debut. Enjoy the magic of the season and the wonder of unicorns in what is sure to be another award-winning book from R.L. Ullman.
Recommend this book:
The Awkward Avocado
C.J. Zachary

2022 Honorable Mention
34 Pages
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Children - General

This book is about self-love, maintaining high self-esteem, and gaining self-confidence. The Awkward Avocado presents us with an avocado and its unique way of being. With the help of this amusing character, C.J. Zachary explains that it is normal to be different from our friends. We don't need to agree on everything if our attitude is correct, nor should we feel inadequate if we see ourselves as dissimilar from others. With the help of many examples, this book teaches us to be ourselves without fear. The idea is to learn to adapt to new situations and maintain a positive outlook. Children will see the importance of appreciating and valuing themselves for who they are.
The Awkward Avocado was significant for me because having healthy self-esteem will help children accept their mistakes and keep trying to improve. With higher self-esteem, children will do better at school, at home, and with friends. We are not always going to think the same way as our colleagues and our way of responding and acting can also be different from what others expect. This may make many children nervous, especially if they are learning to get along with new people. In reading this book they will learn about themselves and see that deep down, we are all unique. C.J. Zachary has produced an attractive book that will teach children a valuable lesson.
Recommend this book:
Stranger in the Mushroom Patch
The Mischief Series Book 4
Amanda M. Thrasher

2022 Bronze Medal
135 Pages
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Children - General

Stranger in the Mushroom Patch is a work of fiction in the fantasy adventure subgenre, and it serves as the fourth book in the Mischief series. It is aimed at younger readers and was penned by author Amanda M. Thrasher. This novel continues the adventures of Lilly, Boris, and Jack as a game of slimy moss bomb leads them to an encounter with a human child, with whom they find some surprising common ground. Tasked with returning the child to their own kind, the group of friends must go on another fun-filled adventure to reunite their new friend with her family before the humans come looking for her.
This was a delightful adventure pitched perfectly at its young audience, with whimsical characters on a fun and exciting quest after making an unusual new friend. Like all good children’s authors, Amanda M. Thrasher has some important values she wants to share with the next generation of readers, and her characters lead by example to demonstrate the importance of friendship and being kind to the people you meet. These themes are delivered well and it never feels like morals are being forced on the reader. Instead, the author tells an excellent story with characters who embody those values. I was particularly fond of the elders who balance their protective nature with the knowledge with which they must equip the young to look after themselves, an elegant metaphor for the trust that develops in the parent and child relationship. Overall, Stranger in the Mushroom Patch is a worthy continuation of an already excellent series of children's books, and I recommend it highly.
Recommend this book:
Hugo von Hector the Kids' Art Collector
Whitney Beatty

2022 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - General

Hugo von Hector the Kids' Art Collector, written by Whitney Beatty and primarily illustrated by Allyson Arrogante, is a children's picture book that tells the story of an unfulfilled artist in a magical realm. Hugo von Hector loves to create art but feels the work he produces is too stiff and realistic. Still, his love of the craft keeps him from walking away...although he does end up walking through a floating door and into someone's Earthly kitchen. On the refrigerator, he sees an array of colorful drawings and art by the child who lives there. Hugo is enthralled by the work and sees how the art embodies soul over precision. A single piece is abandoned on the kitchen floor and Hugo “saves” it by bringing it back to his home. As new doors appear, Hugo becomes known as the collector of wonderful art and provides readers with a story on where their missing refrigerator art goes.
Oh my goodness, Hugo von Hector the Kids' Art Collector is an absolute delight! What an imagination Whitney Beatty has and how lucky we are that she shares it with us. For all the adults who have their kitchens lined with children's drawings, hung under a magnet, or taped on walls, you will know as well as I how precious the kitchen real estate becomes very quickly. Enter Hugo von Hector and his love of your little one's art. His mission to collect and share these treasures is told in a lyrical, sing-song narrative that only adds to an already pitch-perfect plot. Breathing it all to life, Allyson Arrogante shows us Hugo's journey visually with a bold primary palette and equally bold whimsy in each illustration. Arrogante is not alone in the visual creations, as the real work of young artists is included as well. Overall, this is a wonderful little story that will bring joy to young and young-at-heart readers alike. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Power of Kindness
Through the Eyes of Children
Ruth A Maille

2022 Gold Medal
36 Pages
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Children - General

"Can you think of ways you can be kind to others?" This is the question that Orbit, a cute globe-shaped character, asks the very young readers of Ruth Maille's The Power of Kindness. In this illustrated and delightful children's book, young readers (and their parents) will find a persuasive and delightful invitation to practice kindness in their lives. One day, Orbit visits a kindergarten class and asks the children what kindness is and if they have seen it in their lives. The children answer with sensitive and delightful responses, entering each reader into a world full of simple actions and extraordinary feelings.
It is a pity that we do not ask children more questions because there is a lot to learn from them. Their selfless and kind answers have the power to remind us of the simple and precious things we need in our daily life. Ruth Maille is a praiseworthy author because she has placed great emphasis on the wisdom of children. The Power of Kindness is splendid not only because it helps to spread a message of kindness in the world but also because, thanks to its colorful images, it allows young readers to identify themselves with the equally young protagonists. Explaining very complex concepts in such a simple way, showing children how other children dealt with kindness, was not an easy task. Yet, Maille did it and gave us a book that we will never tire of rereading. Keeping in mind the wonderful lesson she has taught us is essential to living in a better world.
Recommend this book:
Mister Sleepy
Sleeping the Day Away
Jane Alice

2021 Finalist
24 Pages
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Children - General

Mister Sleepy wasn't lazy, he just loved to sleep. He loved naps in the winter, fall, summer, and spring, no matter the weather. Sleeping had always been his favorite thing to do. He still liked other things besides sleeping such as school, space, and when he grew up he did things that adults do. And yet, sleep was always on his mind. During the vacation, he overslept on the train and missed his stop. His goal was to see the world's biggest bed, but instead, he found himself in a place he didn’t know, and yet he still found a place to sleep. After finding a good bench at the train station, he slept all day and night, missing his meals. After more sleep, he decided that he was well-rested and headed back home. Once again though, he missed his train. His wife picked him up and reminded him of his new job...
I thought Mister Sleepy: Sleeping the Day Away was a very adorable book that is a perfect night time read to get the kids ready for bed. I thought the main character was hilarious and yet I couldn’t help but agree with his views on sleep! Author Jane Alice has done a wonderful job of creating a unique story that children will definitely enjoy. The illustrations are gorgeous and colorful which keeps young readers' attention. They also complement the story nicely. Overall, I thought this was a fun read that children will enjoy. It’s definitely a book I would recommend.
Recommend this book:
Scottie on the Space Station
Kaela C Green, Shannon E Green

2021 Honorable Mention
38 Pages
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Children - General

Everyone is different. Some people walk on their own legs; others need the assistance of a wheelchair to get around. Some people speak with their mouths; others need the assistance of technology to communicate. Inside, we’re all the same: we just think and move about in a different way. Ellie and her brother Scottie and little sister Nova live with their parents on a space station. Now, how cool is that! Scottie needs a wheelchair to get around and technology to communicate. But, even with his differences, he’s like many other young boys, especially in his love for superheroes. When an alien family comes to the space station, Ellie instantly makes friends with the young aliens. Only Junpei doesn’t know how to act around Scottie. Ellie solves the problem, like she always does, by pointing out how Scottie does things his way, but deep down, he’s just a little boy with superhero dreams.
Kaela C. Green and Shannon E. Green have produced a charming picture book story, Scottie on the Space Station, that addresses some of the differences we all encounter and how to accept others in spite of their differences. The plot develops with Ellie telling the story, beginning with who she is, who her family is, and where they live. Ellie is a very outgoing, compassionate character who sets the stage to make everything right, especially where her brother Scottie is concerned. The imagination behind this story, complete with the children’s dreams of being superheroes in space, makes this an attractive story for young readers who will certainly relate to these superhero dreams. The illustrations really move the action along. A powerful story with an important message about acceptance.
Recommend this book:
Little Augie and His Trumpet
Augie Haas

2021 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - General

Little Augie loves to play games with his friends outdoors. One day, while playing in the park, he hears something in the distance. It’s a noise he’s never heard before. He goes to investigate and discovers a man blowing into “an unusual, shiny object with sound coming out of one end!” When questioned, the man explained it was a trumpet and he then proceeded to serenade the boy, capturing a passion Little Augie didn’t know he had. What he did know was that he had to have a trumpet of his own and he wanted desperately to be able to make the sounds the man in the park made. Little Augie convinces his parents and he devotes his time to learning the tune the man was playing. It wasn’t easy, but the little boy didn’t give up. And, when he was ready to perform in front of his friends, the strangest thing happened: he was nervous.
Augie Haas has a passion for the trumpet. Little Augie and His Trumpet is a beautifully told children’s story that introduces his passion to young readers. In this charming little picture book, the author/musician leads the young reader through a young boy’s growing passion for music and for the trumpet. Not only does he teach young readers about the instrument and about the power of music, but he also teaches them the power of hard work and dedication and not giving up when the going gets tough. These are vital lessons for young people to learn, even if their passion isn’t music. It’s important for them to realize that the good things in life require a dedicated work ethic. The bright, colorful illustrations emphasize the point of music's power to enthrall us all. From a retired music teacher turned writer, I loved it. This is a beautiful way to introduce young readers to the world of music.
Recommend this book:
The Girl in the Gold Dress
Christine Paik

2021 Silver Medal
33 Pages
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Children - General

Christine Paik's The Girl in the Gold Dress is a story about Hannah, a 12-year-old girl whose family is originally from North Korea. Hannah is preparing to perform in her elementary school talent show. She is doing a traditional Korean fan dance while wearing a Hanbok dress. During the dress rehearsal, Hannah watches some of her other peers do their performances and she becomes nervous and ashamed to do her performance. The next day, on her way to school, she tells her mom how she is afraid and ashamed to dance because of the dress. Her mom tells her the history behind the dress and its importance in her great-grandmother's journey to America while fleeing Korea to give her family a new start.
Christine Paik's The Girl in the Gold Dress is a compelling story of pride in family history and heritage. Hannah didn't know how her great-grandmother fought to escape from Korea to give her family a better life, and the only thing she had was the fine fabrics and her children. Christine did a phenomenal job of portraying how younger generations sometimes take for granted the advantages they have. Hannah didn't see the value in the hanbok dress that she wore. She was ashamed initially because the dress was big, stiff, and uncomfortable, but once she learned the value and meaning of the dress to their family, she wore it and danced with pride. Christine Paik's The Girl in the Gold Dress is a great example for Asian Americans to relate to. The illustrations were beautiful and show the beauty of the vibrant colors of fabrics and dresses. I hope that Hannah--Geum Chun--always takes the opportunity to dance in her gold dress and continues to inspire other young girls and boys to be true to who they are.
Recommend this book:
Right Before Sleep
Miro Tartan

2021 Gold Medal
33 Pages
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Children - General

Milo and Cat are ready for bed, but sleep won’t come easily. Miro Tartan has authored Right Before Sleep, a delightful little book about going to sleep, and it is the story of the various things Milo and Cat try so they can get to sleep. First, Milo reads a book of knowledge showing multiple ways of inducing sleep. Second, Milo and Cat try various methods in the way a child would apply the knowledge. But, no matter what they try, sleep won't come. Milo and Cat try counting sheep, listening to soft music, drinking warm milk, and other methods, but all to no avail. In the end, a simple little trick solves their problem. After Milo falls asleep, Cat figures out what it took to put Milo to sleep.
Miro Tartan knows how to solve one of a parent’s worst nightmares as they so often ask how to get their little ones to sleep. In Right Before Sleep, Miro shares many ways to help children fall asleep whilst also telling a delightful tale for the child reading it. This is a great sharing and learning experience for both parent and child. The illustrations are a delight and will keep the child interested in the story. Parents will want to help their children understand how each technique works, as children often do not understand the nuances of such things. Miro writes in an easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand method. The words are simple enough for a new reader but deep enough to keep an older child’s interest.
