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:
The Colors of Myself
Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot and Sameon Clay Klanot
2012 Finalist
20 Pages
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Children - Preschool
'The Colors of Myself' by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot is written in poetry prose form of illustrations of a four-year-old child in which his illustrations are painted to represent the thoughts in his mind. The words relate to the child's feelings during the time he is painting; for example, "the shimmering yellow rays of the sun and I am happy and warm". As with poetry, this book is well written and graphically illustrated to let the mind create a variance of feelings towards the paintings of many colors. As for the illustrations of the paintings in the story, the child has used the colors to demonstrate feelings of self and the environment.
I think this is a cute book of imagination and feelings. I enjoyed reading the analogy of the many colors in relation to the illustrator's feelings. As I read the prose poetry I would replace the child's feelings with my own feelings, for example, when I think of the different colors of nature. I imagined the colors of black and white, with the color of black representing fear as well as extinction and of course dark and death. Also, the color white can mean a peaceful death. I like the words that the author chose to relate to the feelings of the child. Such words have been used for the color green which represent the planting of garden seeds, the giant oak trees and the gentle spring breeze, which relate to the child's feelings of excitement and joy.
Recommend this book:
Lily and Nana
A Book About Laughing And Loving!
Barbara Meyers
2011 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - Preschool
Lily and Nana is about a little girl named Lily and her Nana and the things they like about each other. Lily and Nana like to spend time with each other even though they don't always do the same things. For example, when they are gardening together, Lily likes to plant the garden, and Nana likes to water the garden after it's planted. They just enjoy being around each other and doing things together.
This is a cute little book, and it especially teaches the young reader the fun and enjoyment of spending time with his/her grandparents. The book is simple and easy to read with only one sentence on each page. The illustrations are a great addition to the story, showing the young reader what the words are saying. The only problem I have with the illustrations is with the faces of Lily and Nana. Lily doesn't always look like a girl in the pictures, and on both Lily and Nana, the faces seem mad or angry sometimes. That's just my opinion, but it seems like the characters could be smiling more to go with the happiness of the story. I do feel like this book would be a great addition to any school, public or personal child's library.
Recommend this book:
The Lonely Sunflower
Julia Minigh
2011 Bronze Medal
30 Pages
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Children - Preschool
The Lonely Sunflower written by nine-year-old Julia Minigh and illustrated by Kasey Short has an eye-catching cover and will delight young readers. The sunflower is beautiful, but she is sad and lonely as she has no friends. The sunflower attempts to make friends with a bee and butterfly; however they are too busy and cannot stay with the sunflower to be her friend. The sunflower is so sad she begins to weep and her tears are falling to the ground. Suddenly, the sunflower looks through her tears down to the ground and sees that something has come from her tears! Flowers have grown around her and the sunflower is lonely no more!
This is a cute story illustrating Psalm 126:5, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy," in both words and illustrations. The illustrations, on the cover and also on each page, are beautiful and fit the words on the pages perfectly. The story is simple and straight to the point. A young reader will be able to learn the meaning of the verse and also be able to relate to the story as children (and adults as well) feel lonely from time to time. This would be an excellent addition to any child's library as it illustrates a Biblical truth for young children in a way that will be easily grasped. Also, it could be used as a counseling tool for children who have recently moved or are having trouble making friends. This book is beautiful and I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
My Princess Boy
Cheryl Kilodavis and Suzanne DeSimone
2011 Gold Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Preschool
"My Princess Boy" is based on a true story. We are introduced to a boy who likes pink, tiaras, and girl's clothes. He enjoys climbing trees while wearing his tiara and shopping, especially when he's looking at girl's clothing. Sometimes other people laugh at him and his mother, but the Princess Boy's family accepts him and loves him just the way he is.
Not all children are alike. There are girls that love to play with Barbie dolls and others that prefer Pee Wee Football. There are boys that love rough and tumble sports and boys that enjoy playing dress up.
We are all unique and yet we attempt to force our children to conform to certain stereotypes. In the past we expected boys to be rough, strong and never cry. They were taught from a young age to be the bread winner in the family, to take care of those around them and to always be tough. We expected girls to like frilly dresses, baking and sewing. Their role in life would be to stay home, clean, cook and care for their man and their children.
Over the last decade we have seen a change in our culture, where education is as important to women as it is to men. Often the father is the one that stays at home and raises the children while the mother assumes the role of bread winner.
We have come a long way in allowing our children the freedom to be who they are meant to be. But have we come far enough? Is it all superficial? How would you react if your son dressed up like a princess with a wand and tiara? Most, if they are being honest, would be troubled. So perhaps we have not evolved as far as we think, or should.
"My Princess Boy" is beautifully illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone. The faces of the characters are blank, perhaps so that each reader can see themselves in the art. Author Cheryl Kilodavis has written an inspirational tool that celebrates our individuality and will help open communication between children and their parents. "My Princess Boy" is a wonderful, must have book that helps parents appreciate their child's uniqueness, assisting them in understanding and supporting their children.
Recommend this book:
Grady the Gray Cat
Lori A. Moore
2011 Honorable Mention
28 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Lori Moore begins her book by introducing readers to Grady. Grady has a new toy fire truck with siren, lights, and a horn. Grady likes to play pretend and slides down his imaginary fire pole. This is a flip me book. The other story is Grady the Cat story. Grady lived in a cage in a store. He was very sad and lonely until one day a nice couple adopted him. He not only had a new mommy and daddy but two new sisters. Grady likes to drink his water from the faucet. Grady's new family loves him, and he loves them.
Grady the Gray Cat Gets a Toy Fire Truck/Grady the Gray Cat Gets Adopted by Lori A. Moore is a delightful book for children. Currently, one of my grandsons is fascinated by fire trucks. He quickly latched on to my copy of this book. The illustrations are well done. The plot is cute and enticing to children. You can also download the audio book for this story. Children will want to hear this story over and over.
Recommend this book:
The Night of Many Lights
C.R. Lindemer
2011 Finalist
30 Pages
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Children - Preschool
"Night Of Many Lights" is the story of an Indian weather vane sitting high on top of a barn. It's a lonely job sitting there night after night, pointing out directions, with only birds for company. He longs to be free and be able to fly like fireflies, his wish is later granted. As he meets more weather vane friends, they all enjoy an evening visiting the Northern and Southern Lights and flying through the skies before it's time for them to return to the top of their barns.
The beautiful illustrations bring the story to life. Lakota names are used in this book assisting children in learning a new language. However, the most important lesson they will learn is, "Look for beauty and wonders all around you. Friends can always be found if you seek them out." One of my favorite things about reading is how I can go anywhere, see anything and do anything through words. Lindemer proves this in "Night Of Many Lights."
Recommend this book:
A Colorful Day
Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot, Illustrations by Taryn Lane Klanot
2010 Silver Medal
28 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Award Winner"A Colorful Day" by Karen Hutchins Pirnot is a delightful book for young children. Each page rhymes and has a corresponding picture. Purple cows, turquoise horses and a bright red dolphin are among the animals that adorn this book. Taryn Lane Klanot is a talented artist. She was only seven years old when she illustrated this book. I think she has a great future ahead of her.
I shared this book with my 3 year old grandson. He loved the bright colors. He was particularly fond of the purple cow. This book makes a great learning tool for toddlers and preschoolers.
Recommend this book:
Keeper of the Lullabies
A book for grandmothers who cherish the world of children
Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot
2010 Gold Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Preschool
Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Award WinnerEvery time I pick up my grandchildren they ask for a Buddy story. Buddy is our German shepherd. It is a long drive home. When they were toddlers, they would get bored so I began telling them stories about Buddy. The stories always included our grandchildren, our cat and Buddy. The adventures were humorous and entertaining. It soon became something special between us. As soon as they arrived home they drew pictures of their imaginary adventures.
Dr. Karen Hutchins Pinot’s book "Keeper Of The Lullabies" is a poetic tribute to grandparents that sing lullabies, tell nursery rhymes and tell Buddy stories. The author illustrated her book with dark subdued colors that will remind readers of bedtime.