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:
A Barrel Racer's Dream
M.D. Ford
2022 Bronze Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
M. D. Ford's informational picture book A Barrel Racer's Dream will please all those young girls who love horses. Dee has her very own horse named Hank. He is her best friend, and they ride together often. Dee gets the opportunity to compete in a rodeo, where she and Hank will be riding in a barrel race. Dee walks through all the steps that are necessary to get Hank ready to race. Dee shows how she needs to care for Hank before and after the race. Ford has included information about the value of barrel racing and the pattern for running the cloverleaf race. Will Dee and Hank win their first race?
One of the more common requests that I received as a children's librarian was for stories about horses. A Barrel Racer's Dream has everything in it that my young horse-loving patrons were looking for. M. D. Ford writes from experience, so there is authenticity in the way Dee and Hank interact. Subtle gestures mean a lot as horses and riders work together. Kids will enjoy seeing the majestic creatures and will appreciate the bond between Dee and Hank. Harry Aveira's bright, vivid illustrations add a real western flair to the story. Living in the western United States, I have seen my share of rodeos, and Aveira's pictures capture the feel and excitement of the arena perfectly. Horse lovers and aspiring rodeo riders will enjoy this book. If they don't already have a horse in their life, they will eagerly look forward to the time when they do.
Recommend this book:
The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard
Ron Keres
2022 Silver Medal
48 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
It was a dark and stormy night. I never thought I’d get to use those opening words, first penned by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, but they describe this story exactly. The Scariest Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres and designed by Arthur Lin is intended to be too scary for pictures. The power has gone out. The pages are black. The words do the job, just like telling a scary story in the dark. Readers and listeners can try to picture what is happening, along with the brothers in this imaginative tale, who hear unexpected sounds in the night that get their hearts and imaginations pumping. Thump, screams, crunch, crunch, crunch, drip drop, drip drop, grrr, clang and bang. Just what you need to get scared in the night.
Ron Keres’ sense of humor shines through in this story, just as it did in It’s Not That Big a Deal, also illustrated by Arthur Lin. The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard isn’t The Monkey’s Paw or The Telltale Heart. It is appropriate for children aged 4-8 and is also a suitable bedtime story. You might want to read this book in a darkened room, illuminating the words by flashlight to bring out the best effect. Show the creative typography to your listeners if they are old enough to read. Pause now and then to ask your listeners what they think is making all those sounds. Laugh with them when the brothers’ curiosity gets the better of them and they go hunting for the monster. Recommended for naptime, bedtime, or daytime reading.
Recommend this book:
Rosie the Farm Truck
Victoria Scudder
2022 Gold Medal
33 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
Eight inches of snow fell on the Callahan Farm overnight. Rosie the truck wanted to play with her friends in it. Unfortunately, they expected a storm the following night, and Farmer Jack enlisted the help of everyone to prepare for it. Rosie wasn’t happy, but she helped. Later, while they were playing, Mayor Hope sent for Rosie to help bring in four reindeer trapped on a stranded train. The reindeer were on an urgent mission but couldn’t brave the incoming storm. If the mission failed, many children would be sad. Would Rosie agree to help get the reindeer out of danger to a shelter? Would the storm stop the reindeer from their task? Find out in Rosie the Farm Truck by Victoria Scudder, illustrated by Kam Bayo.
Rosie the Farm Truck by Victoria Scudder is a perfect Christmas children’s story. However, the lessons in this picture book remain evergreen. It is a tale of kindness, teamwork, love, resourcefulness, courage, and healthy doses of confidence. I loved the beautiful illustrations and attractive choice of colors by Kam Bayo. The simple grammar and punchy sentences were catchy and easy to understand. Scudder awakened my imagination by creating living characters out of everything in the environment which I’m sure will excite children. Above all, this book reminds us never to second guess ourselves, as Rosie did. We must opt for a circle of people who would do everything to help us succeed, as we can only receive the energy we give. When we show up for people in difficult situations, we unlock another level of our own strength and uniqueness. Thank you for this educative book, Victoria Scudder!
Recommend this book:
LaLa Salutes the Sun
A Yoga Book for Kids (LaLa's World 4)
Tela Kayne
2021 Finalist
17 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
LaLa Salutes the Sun: A Yoga Book for Kids: LaLa's World, Book 4 is an educational picture book for children, grades k-3, written by Tela Kayne and illustrated by Goran Vitanovic. Lala knows that icky feelings can actually make you feel bad, can even make you feel ill, but there are ways to eliminate that ickiness -- yoga! LaLa introduces Sun Salutations in this book. Sun Salutations are a series of yoga moves that work perfectly together and are guaranteed to leave the practitioner relaxed and free of icky feelings. LaLa explains how yoga is a combination of “exercise, poses, and breathing.” The poses are often named after nature and animals and are fun to do. Sun Salutations are a perfect way for kids and caregivers to learn how to do yoga, and LaLa and her bear are there to guide you every step of the way.
Tela Kayne introduces young readers to yoga utilizing my favorite yoga series -- the Sun Salutations. I still remember my first yoga course from college where we learned the salutations first of all. Later on, during the semester, a group of adults came to visit our class and we students guided them along with their own first yoga moves. That said, I was blown away by LaLa and Tela Kayne’s introduction to yoga. Each of the Sun Salutation poses is beautifully illustrated and described, including the inhalations and exhalations, after presenting a marvelous introduction to yoga breathing. I’ve read any number of yoga books and can’t recall any that gave as insightful and precise instructions for the Sun Salutations. In fact, I had to resist getting up and joining in with LaLa and her bear in a few Salutations myself. Oh, and yes, don’t forget to have a bottle of water handy to hydrate between Salutations. Goran Vitanovic’s illustrations are perfectly suited to this book and make following the moves along with LaLa and her bear a breeze. Anyone for a Sun Salutation? LaLa Salutes the Sun is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Amelia the Mouse
Inventor Extraordinaire
J. W. Kohler
2021 Honorable Mention
19 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
Amelia the Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire is a children’s educational picture book written by J.W. Kohler and illustrated by Kate Fallahee. If there’s one thing that excites Amelia about getting up every morning, it’s the new day’s opportunities to create even more ingenious inventions. Amelia sees possibility in everything around her, an infinite array of things that could be made better, more efficient, or more useful. Her workshop was her operating theater where she could focus on her next invention. And while her inventions, albeit ingenious, weren’t of any real practical use so far, she knew that one day they would be. One morning, she was visited by an older gentleman, a rat named Winston, who had a problem with the cane he used to assist his walking. He explained that the tip of the cane would get stuck in the most inconvenient and dangerous places. Could Amelia invent a safer cane for him? Amelia was sure she could, and she immediately began to design her new invention.
J.W. Kohler’s Amelia the Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire is both funny and inspirational as young readers read about Amelia’s penchant for seeing possibility in just about everything around her. I loved her design for a salami shirt, and even her prototype rocket-powered cane seemed to have some promise. Kate Fallahee’s brightly colored and whimsical illustrations bring Amelia and her inventions to life. The story is silly and fun, but the underlying message is a good one. We could all do worse than embracing our inner, indefatigable Amelia, and the world would be a lot better for it. A grand selection for storytime, Amelia the Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire is also suitable for young readers to try on their own. It’s most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me
Illustrated in American Sign Language
Kathleen Marcath
2021 Bronze Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
Vroom, vroom, vroom, it's time for a Monster Truck story. My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me by Kathleen Marcath is part of the ASL Picture Book series. The book starts with two pages of illustrated signs used in the book, as well as an explanation that the word in bold on each page is the one being signed. The story starts with a young boy and his favorite big, loud, purple monster truck. He and the truck go everywhere together including to Grandma’s house. He has an awesome day there playing and pretending. At the end of the day, he’s exhausted and returns home, only to discover in the morning that his favorite truck is gone! Fortunately, his lost Monster Truck is soon returned to him.
Kathleen Marcath has captured the total fascination kids have with their favorite toys. Isaac Liang has done a fabulous job illustrating the signs that the characters demonstrate on each page. Pardeep Mehra’s rich, colorful illustrations showcase how kids really see their toys, bringing so much character and life to his purple monster truck. What a terrific idea to create a series of ASL picture books. They will not only help those that sign feel included but serve as a great introduction for kids not familiar with ASL. What is even better is that My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me is outstanding on its own. Monster truck lovers and fans of the movie Cars will ask for this one again and again. My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me should be in every school and public library.
Recommend this book:
Oodles and Oodles of Noodley Noodles
Cindy "Ninni" Grant
2021 Silver Medal
35 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
In the aisles of a grocery store, have you wondered about the different kinds of noodles on display? Oodles and Oodles of Noodley Noodles by Cindy "Ninni" Grant is a delightful treat to learn about all the different kinds of noodles that are out there. Which one is your favorite? Spaghetti, Penne, Ravioli, or Fettuccine? Do you know all the names? How are they different from each other? Learn all of this in this beautifully illustrated book. The story of different kinds of noodles is sure to make you hungry and happy. The illustrations are realistic depictions of how children eat and are hilarious and insightful at the same time. Pick up this book to read along with your kids, have a hearty laugh, and learn about all the different kinds of Noodley Noodles.
If you are someone who loves to eat noodles for every meal, this book is definitely for you. Even if you are not, Oodles and Oodles of Noodley Noodles by Cindy "Ninni" Grant is a great read for children. The story is all about noodles and the different varieties. The illustrations are funny and show children in imaginative scenarios full of noodles. I especially liked the phonetic notation for every name to help in the pronunciation. This is helpful for children and grown-ups alike. I learned some new things, laughed a lot, and started to read from page 1 all over again. The book is great to read aloud with children, and I am sure this will become one of their favorites. I would certainly love to read this with the kids in my family.
Recommend this book:
Evie's Field Day
More Than One Way to Win
Claire Annette Noland
2021 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
Evie's Field Day: More Than One Way to Win by Claire Annette Noland is a children's book that teaches good sportsmanship. The main character Evie loves to play sports, and most of all, win! One day Evie and her friends take part in various sport events at their field day. Evie sets out to win them all, but it doesn't quite go to plan. Each of her friends does well in the events, but Evie wins none, leaving her feeling sad. Evie proves to be a bit of a sore loser, but when she is finally ahead of her friends in the sack race, an unexpected animal stops her in her tracks. What will Evie do? Ignore the helpless animal in need? Or will she do the right thing and help? Find out in this enjoyable story, Evie's Field Day.
Evie's Field Day is a well-written, enjoyable story that will delight young readers. The message author Claire Annette Noland has told in her story is strong and effective; it will certainly teach children how to be a good sport. The characters are lovable and add to the sweetness of the story; they have been illustrated perfectly by Alicia Teba. I liked the page at the beginning of the book where it prompts you to ask the reader questions before, during, and after reading. I found it to be useful when wanting to educate youngsters on such things as how Evie was feeling about certain situations she was in. Overall, I think Evie's Field Day will be successful in teaching children that winning isn't always important, that taking part and having fun can mean just as much. I loved this book a lot and hope to have the pleasure of reading more of Claire Annette Noland's beautiful work.
Recommend this book:
The Power of Positivity
The ABC's of a Pandemic
Ruth Maille
2021 Bronze Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
The Power of Positivity: The ABCs of a Pandemic, written by Ruth Maille and illustrated by Harry Aveira, is a short children’s book including numerous pieces of information to help young people deal with the current pandemic in a fun and cute way. It is written by a certified parent-relationship coach and more importantly (I believe) a mother of three. It is based on the alphabet and Ruth Maille has found a positive notion to link to each letter, so kids focus on the positive but also on what they can do to make their world better to live in, and not just to survive or be sad in this difficult period. It does help to consider everything as a whole but also at times to focus on the details of what we actually all can do.
The Power of Positivity by Ruth Maille immediately drew my attention as a mother but also as a teacher (of high school students but like everyone, they need a bit of positivity in their lives) and I loved everything about it: the amazing and lively drawings, the text, the positive ideas, which even as adults we run out of at times, the list the children can fill in, and the definitions. To conclude, everything is spot on, and as the writer says: "We all need a little positivity." I could not be more enthusiastic about a book! I will definitely read it to my grandkids (while translating as they’re French) and use the ideas to help my students. Thank you so much for this must-read!
Recommend this book:
Baby Trolls Get a Bad Rap
Underrated Babies Book 1
Justine Avery
2020 Finalist
22 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd
Baby Trolls Get a Bad Rap: Underrated Babies, Book 1 is a children’s social issues picture book written by Justine Avery and illustrated by Daria Yudina. Horatio, Grizelda, and Saul are trolls, but before you start wondering at how unlike trolls they look, you might want to remember that they are baby trolls. Just like human children, they don’t look like the grownup version. Saul even admits that they are “hopelessly adorable.” But the three young trolls are quite unhappy, and they are circulating a petition to address their grievances -- and they do have a few of them. Grizelda thinks no one likes them, but Horace thinks it may just be that people tend to overlook or ignore troll babies. The babies want people to start noticing them. Signing their petition is a great way to show them that you’re on board with their agenda. After all, who doesn’t want to be respected and noticed?
Baby Trolls Get a Bad Rap introduces three well-spoken young troll babies to young readers who may also feel overlooked, ignored and even disrespected because of their age, size or other personal attributes that make them feel different. The troll babies that illustrator Daria Yudina has created are marvelous, and you can’t help but smile as the three of them ask readers to sign their petition. Justine Avery’s troll babies have personality and pluck, and I’ve no doubt that young readers will find themselves nodding along with the three of them as they discuss how they simply want to be noticed -- and maybe even make a friend or two. This book is an ideal selection for storytime as it can lead to discussions about why troll babies feel the way they do and how human kids may need to share their feelings at times. This perceptive and charming book is most highly recommended.