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:
You Can't Take the Dinosaur Home
Mary Esparza-Vela
2014 Finalist
16 Pages
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Children - Preschool
"You Can’t Take the Dinosaur Home" is written by Mary Esparza-Vela. It is a uniquely written adventurous story created for children of the preschool age. The design and layout of this book is excellent and it is loaded with colorful illustrations for a child to enjoy and follow, whether the story is read to them or they are reading themselves. "You Can't Take the Dinosaur Home" tells of a threesome group of siblings on an adventure to find a new treasure, but when the youngest doesn't find any and the other siblings do, he becomes very emotional. He becomes sad, and mad, and begins to throw a temper tantrum. I loved the way this story was told as the youngest of most families would have the same reactions and emotions of the young character described in this story. While the older siblings are busy searching for more of their own treasures, the youngest slips away to find his own, innocently. Again, a typical move of a group of siblings: the eldest not paying attention while supposed to be watching the youngest because they are too much involved in their activity, and the youngest straying off to find their own excitement because the attention isn't on them.
"You Can't Take the Dinosaur Home" portrays the attitude and emotions of a young child. It is exactly how I would imagine them to be in the situation presented in the story. The characters themselves are aliens and the special treasure the youngest sibling finds is a dinosaur. What young child at one point or another hasn't played with, watched, or read about dinosaurs or aliens? Not many. The story is a perfect match for the 3-5 year old's mind and imagination. In addition, the characters in the story have been developed into award-winning plush dolls that are also available.
Recommend this book:
Tina Tumbles
Danielle Soucy Mills
2014 Honorable Mention
32 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Written by Danielle Soucy Mills and illustrated by Kimberly Soderberg, Tina Tumbles is about a little girl named Tina who greatly admires the gymnasts she sees on television. All she wants to do is gymnastics and she tries her hardest to do the moves she has seen on TV, such as a headstand and a cartwheel, on the furniture in her home. However, it’s not as easy as it looks. She continues to fall and get disappointed. But, she never stops trying. Finally, it’s her first day at her gymnastics class and she is absolutely determined to succeed this time.
The first thing that grabbed my attention about this book is the beautiful illustrations. Each and every page is full of realistic yet fun and colorful images that children will definitely enjoy. And the story by Danielle Soucy Mills is not only delightful and relatable, but it has an important message that children should learn. No matter how many times Tina fell, she got right back up and continued trying. She tried and tried until she accomplished her goal. Kids will see that hard work, dedication, and perseverance will lead to achieving their goals. Though it will certainly appeal to gymnastics enthusiasts, this book will be adored by children who have any interests at all because they will be able to relate to Tina. The stunning illustrations, the significant lesson, and the cute, entertaining story are all wrapped up in this wonderful book. Tina Tumbles is adorable, and I highly recommend it for parents to read with their children. I know I will be!
Recommend this book:
If Chocolate Were Purple
Jen Barton
2014 Bronze Medal
28 Pages
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Children - Preschool
If chocolate were purple and bumblebees swam,
For lunch we’d have rainbows, not PB and jam.
These are just the first few lines of this wonderful little book! This is the cutest little story. What if chocolate was purple, or lizards sang, or dolphins flew, and bananas were round and glowed in the dark? Or if everything changed from the world you now know? Would you like it? I think you will really have fun with your imagination when you read this enchanting story.
I love this book! It is fantastic inside and out. The story is entertaining and charming. I love the creative thinking of the author to write such a fun story as this. Yoko Matsuoka did an awesome job with the illustrations inside and out. They are just really, really great. The cover itself will have kids grabbing the book from the shelves. The color scheme with the purple, turquoise, and blue is beautiful, and the people, characters, and background are all so very appealing. One person I can vouch for is my four-year-old niece; she adores this book and I have read it to her many times already. She has made up her own amazing stories to go with the pictures, too. For me, I think this book is a must for your child’s library. If Chocolate Were Purple by Jen Barton needs to be on every school library shelf out there because it is really that good. So run out and pick up a copy for your own.
Recommend this book:
Good Morning, World!
Mrs. D.
2014 Silver Medal
46 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Good Morning, World! by the mysterious Mrs. D, is a classic children's book. The illustrations were rendered superbly, in brilliant and vivid colors, by Eladziem. This is not another “A-B-C” book, or “1-2-3” learner. In fact, what this book teaches best is reading! I find it noteworthy that the text seems geared to an older audience than do the illustrations. That arrangement is ideal for when an older sibling wants to read to “the baby”. Mrs. D. has crafted a superb children’s book in Good Morning, World!
The entire story revolves around Baby Thomas being pushed in his stroller by his grandfather through the local park. Baby Thomas is a very cheery, happy little boy, who shouts out a “Good Morning” to everything he sees, including the sun and clouds, trees and flowers, frogs and lizards, birds and puppies, joggers and mommies. Meanwhile, Grandpa is a disgraceful excuse for a grandfather. Rather than cherish time with his young grandson, he gripes about everything, even to the point of griping about things that aren’t even happening, such as the imaginary crocodiles sunning themselves along the trail!
This book provides an exceptional opportunity for teaching children about attitudes and the choice each of us has to be happy or dismal. The vibrant, compelling illustrations perfectly complement this story, providing much opportunity for teaching numerous other facts, such as having the child find the frog, or the sun, or the flowers, or the ladybugs. Mrs. D. and Eladziem work very well together, in producing an all-around great story book for stimulating young brains and teaching them concepts.
Recommend this book:
Bubba the Bulldog
Tries to Smile
Bree Clausen
2014 Gold Medal
28 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Many agree that dogs are a man’s best friend. In Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile, author Bree Clausen illustrates the love an owner and a dog can have. Bubba, a bulldog with a lip too heavy to smile, will go through all kinds of adventures – from a sticky situation with tape to encountering the dreaded mop – to make his best friend Ryan smile again. After Ryan broke his leg, Bubba the Bulldog notices that he is not the same smiley, positive friend he once was. Therefore, Bubba the Bulldog will make it his personal goal to put a smile on his owner’s face. Does he succeed or not? You will have to find out. Don’t delay – pick up Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile today!
The love a dog has for his owner can transcend circumstances. In Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile, author and fellow dog lover Bree Clausen demonstrates this through the adorable, fun-loving Bubba the Bulldog. This story will make you laugh, smile, and leave you feeling satisfied. This is the kind of book that you will want to read to your children before bed. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of artwork, the development of the story, and the purely sweet tone of the work. After I put it down, I had to give my lovable puppy a big ol’ hug! Dog lovers, children, and even the average Joe will get a smile out of this work.
Recommend this book:
If Your Shoes Could Speak
Sherley Mondesir-Prescott
2013 Finalist
20 Pages
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Children - Preschool
"If Your Shoes Could Speak" by Sherley Mondesir-Prescott is an adorable book. As it is filled with descriptive situations and fun word pictures, your child will enjoy reading this book or being read to, especially aloud. The choice of words lends itself to enthusiastic reading with words that are fun to say. The silly pictures add to the enjoyment. Shoes with eyes and mouths, animals taking part in the activities, and the bright colors make this a visual smorgasbord. An additional feature in this technological age is a free audio download of the book being read aloud, which your child could listen to over and over. Full instructions are given in the book to download from the publisher’s website. I tried this and it is easy to do and the narration was pleasant to listen to, with just a short commercial message at the beginning and end.
It is my hope that today’s children will be encouraged to read clever books like this one. Sherley Mondesir-Prescott has provided a cute and colorful book in "If Your Shoes Could Speak", with enchanting drawings of animals that will draw the reader in and make them excited to turn the next page to see what happens next. When I was a young reader, I liked books with pictures like these and they were my favorites and I would read them over and over. I can’t wait to see what my grandchildren think of it. I am sure it is ideal for elementary school and preschool age children.
Recommend this book:
The Adventures of Penny and Tubs
The City on the Sea
Marcie May and Margaret Zerhusen
2013 Bronze Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Preschool
“The Adventures of Penny and Tubs: The City on the Sea,” written by Marcie May and Margaret Zerhusen and illustrated by Maggie Chamberlin, is a story that will transport young readers into dreams and the magic of them. Penny and her cat Tubs go on an adventure one night after they go to bed. While sleeping they visit the city on the sea and have all kinds of fun adventures. Penny and Tubs meet new friends with whom they play both under water and on playgrounds. After a short time of playing, they hear mother calling them for breakfast and share their adventure with her. Penny says that her mother believes it was just a dream, but to Penny and Tubs it was so real and they cannot wait to go back and visit that night when they once again close their eyes to go to sleep.
This is a beautiful book and one that children will enjoy reading time after time. The story is fun to read and written with vivid descriptions. The illustrations throughout the book go along perfectly with the story and are very vibrant, filled with details and fun to look at. I also love the music and songs that are incorporated throughout this story as this adds to the fun, upbeat style of the book. This book will be an excellent one to share with children as a bedtime story that will also encourage a follow-up discussion the next morning at breakfast about what was dreamed about the night before.
Recommend this book:
Every Walrus can Fly
Brian Phillips
2013 Silver Medal
10 Pages
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Children - Preschool
“Every Walrus can Fly” by Brian Phillips is a lesson in open-minded thinking, cleverly disguised as an attractive, vividly illustrated book for the entertainment of children. This story begins by asking a question: “Would you believe me if I said every walrus can fly? And elephants could too, if they were willing to try?” The natural response to these questions will be to turn the page, to find out how it is possible that every walrus and elephant can fly, because on the surface those two comments are patently absurd. Our hero is a 3 year old walrus, Royce, who dreams of one day being able to fly like a bird, soaring high above the earth. All he needs are wings, he believes. But he questions whether a walrus – even one with wings – would be able to stay in the sky. He wisely goes to his father for advice, but his father simply hands him a coin and tells him to save it. Over time, Royce finds additional coins, until he has so many that he stacks them up and climbs to the top. But he realizes, even though he is closer to the clouds than he was, he is still not flying. By creative thinking, he eventually discovers an alternative that will enable him to fly, and he is very excited when he is able to implement his plan.
This story is certain to entertain young, and not-so-young, children with its colorful illustrations, clever rhymes, and rather unusual subject. But what is more important than entertaining the children is that this book will teach them something about critical thinking skills, which are so vital for living a successful life. Brian Phillips has skillfully taken a college-level concept, and put it into a setting young children can understand and learn from. Phillips demonstrates an impressive talent for story-telling, while simultaneously teaching children a valuable life lesson. This book is definitely recommended for anyone who knows a child, and would like to help that child learn to succeed in life.
Recommend this book:
Santa's Sugar
Jane Gerencher and Michael Patch
2013 Silver Medal
120 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Nugget couldn’t seem to do anything right in Santa’s workshop as he always made mistakes in every new job he was given to do. That is, until Mrs. Claus gave Santa a sugary white cat named Sugar, and Nugget was given the responsibility of taking care of Santa’s new Christmas present. Even though others thought Nugget would do something wrong in caring for Sugar, Nugget proved them wrong by the way he took care of this special cat.
Everything about this book is beautiful, inside and out. The high quality hard cover is beautifully illustrated with Santa holding his white furry friend, and Nugget looking on. This sweet story by Jane Gerencher will capture your child’s heart and attention as you read about Nugget, the misfit elf who makes mistakes and just can’t find his place in Santa’s North Pole workshop. The beauty of the story teaches children how everyone makes mistakes. Even when we make mistakes, there is still hope because everyone has that something special we are good at. The only problem is that we just need to find what it is. In this story, Nugget realizes that taking care of Santa’s furry friend Sugar is his job at the workshop, and he does his job well. And to go along with the story, Michael Patch created awesomely wonderful illustrations on every page that makes the story come alive before your eyes. You just have to see the print book to understand the beauty of it. I highly recommend this special Christmas book for your child’s library. And this is not a book to be read only at Christmas. I have read it to my four year-old niece several times today. For children, Santa Claus is for year round and they enjoy Christmas stories any time. I encourage you to pick up a copy for the special child in your life today.
Recommend this book:
Hide! Hide!
Scott Ferrell
2013 Honorable Mention
15 Pages
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Children - Preschool
"Hide! Hide!" is the third book in Scott Ferrell’s series of e-reader books for children. This time we follow Mr. Marceau’s favorite friends, Springer Spaniel Gaston and Gregorie the parrot in an interesting game of hide and seek. Only Gregorie takes this game on a unique twist throughout the neighborhood, getting everyone involved. I love the sweet friendship between Gaston and Gregorie. Seeing a dog walking around with a little bird on his back just gives you that warm, fuzzy, homey feeling. I really like the way the author includes all of the neighbors into the actions and fun of these precious animals, giving the feeling of a wonderful, nice, safe neighborhood.
"Hide! Hide!" is a sweet little story written and illustrated especially for e-readers. The illustrations are simple, so the book will not take a lot of space on your readers, but yet these colorful and adorable pictures are detailed enough to capture the attention of your young child. My 3 and a half year old niece loves all three of Scott Ferrell’s books, and continually asks me to read about Gaston and Gregorie. And really, she loves looking at the pictures and making up her own story to read to me. I really think "Hide! Hide!" is at the top of her list because she thinks it is so much fun! Abilene and I highly recommend that you start your child out early with your e-reader and download "Hide! Hide!" immediately. And while you are at it, go ahead and grab "Peaches! Peaches!" and "Sing! Sing!" I know you will not be disappointed with these precious little books.