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 - Science/Technology
- 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
Search Results for: the
Recommend this book:
Your Face Lights Up the World
Jodi Meltzer

2024 Gold Medal
38 Pages
Check current price
Children - Coming of Age

We all have unique features that make us distinct and special in our own ways. Jodi Meltzer's Your Face Lights Up the World follows the story of two fraternal twin siblings, Hunter and Harper. Hunter and Harper have been sent outside by their mother to play together after a fight. Determined to get her back, the siblings decide to build a fort tall enough to keep all the adults out. As they set off in different directions, Hunter finds a stone full of sparkles that he likens to his sister's freckles on her face. Feeling upset, Harper finds a stick she wants to use as a wand on her brother. But Hunter soon reveals that for all his teasing, he actually likes Harper's freckles.
Your Face Lights Up the World is a wholesome adventure tale about two siblings that teaches a valuable lesson about self-esteem. Jodi Meltzer infuses this wonderful story with a spoonful of humor and heart that will put a smile on your face. This is the kind of book that brightens your day and makes you feel good about yourself. Meltzer's characters and their vibrant personalities are brilliantly captured on the pages through the lively artwork by Jody King Camarra. Hunter and Harper's sibling rivalry is something most kids and even some adults will be able to relate to. Their relationship is adorable, and these two are bound to charm their way into your heart. Overall, I found the book funny and heartwarming in equal measure. Young readers will love this picture book.
Recommend this book:
Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled
On Why It Is Good To Be Different
Joshua Evan Roig

2024 Finalist
37 Pages
Check current price
Children - Coming of Age

Fear is the most powerful and paralyzing of all emotions. Emotions are natural and everyone has them, but the trick is in how to control them. Willow the Skunk has to face a typical fear of school-aged children in Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled: On Why It Is Good to Be Different by Joshua Evan Roig. Many children are afraid when they begin a new school, move, or meet someone new. Willow’s mother encourages him and teaches him that being different is good and that facing his fear is the best way past it. It takes bravery to overcome fear, but when one faces fear head-on, they learn they can overcome the fear. Because Willow tried, he soon made new friends and enjoyed his new neighborhood and school. I would have loved to have had this book for kids during my forty years of counseling.
What do you do when fear rears its ugly head and paralyzes you? Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled by Joshua Evan Roig is an excellent tool for parents to use to calm fear and help their child push through to victory. This picture book is a delightful and easy read that packs a powerful lesson concerning fear that will aid your child throughout their life. Parents will enjoy this book because the colorful illustrations will hold their children’s interest while they learn important life lessons. Helping your children learn how to deal with fear is one of the most empowering tools you can give them. Use this book as a fun learning tool and enjoy the benefits of your children overcoming fear. I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
The Mirror Box
Wade Warren Bergner

2024 Silver Medal
32 Pages
Check current price
Children - Concept

It’s always hard to lose someone we love. Christopher is close to his grandfather, whom he calls Papa. They do all kinds of fun things together: sharing adventures, stories, and laughter. Then, one day, Papa is no longer around. Christopher is very sad, but Papa had already prepared for this unhappy occasion. A few months earlier, he’d given Christopher a mirror box with strict instructions to keep it secret until the right moment. Tucked underneath the boy’s bed, the mirror box is almost forgotten until Christopher’s tears are spent. Pulling it out, the box covered in mirrors reveals the first surprise. The face looking back at Christopher is as much Papa as it is the little boy. And there are more surprises to be shared to help Christopher manage his grief.
Wade Warren Bergner’s picture book, The Mirror Box, is a sweet, endearing story about love and loss. The plot follows young Christopher as he enjoys time with his special grandfather, Papa, until that sad day when Papa passes away. The discovery of the mirror box opens the young boy’s eyes to the realization that Papa will always be with him in so many ways, but mostly in his heart and his memories. The treasure inside the box is a message from Papa to persevere, to carry on, and, most importantly, to “love, laugh and learn.” Told in simple language and with spectacular illustrations, this story will touch the hearts of all who read it; it'll make readers both laugh and cry and it will help those struggling with grief of their own. A powerful story!
Recommend this book:
Yanni The Yawning Yak
The Must Have Bedtime Book for Toddlers
Ethan Pilkenton-Getty

2024 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Children - Concept

In Yanni the Yawning Yak, a children's book by Ethan Pilkenton-Getty, Noah is having trouble sleeping when he sees a Yak in his backyard. After Noah comments on the Yak's interesting yawn, Yanni tells him about his other animal friends and their yawns. The Yak names an animal for every letter of the alphabet, stating their species and where they are located in the world. As they learn about the animals' yawns, the author encourages children to yawn in the same manner, and, at the end of the story, Yanni asks them to demonstrate their yawns.
Ethan Pilkenton-Getty has a godson named Noah and wrote the book with him in mind. The author hopes caregivers will benefit from the sleep-inducing elements in the story that may bring little ones closer to their nightly slumbers. The colorful images by iNDOS Studio burst from the pages, drawing children's eyes. The book is educational, linking each animal with a certain letter of the alphabet and its geographical position on the planet. In the corner of each picture, the author shows an image of the world with the location of the animal pinpointed on it. The book is interactive, so after you read about each animal, the text prompts you and the child to yawn like the showcased animal. I read the book in the morning, but my son and I were yawning frequently, even without the suggestions. Caregivers who hope to send their children into a peaceful sleep will enjoy reading Yanni the Yawning Yak to them.
Recommend this book:
The Pink Crayon
A Children’s Picture Book about Sharing, Empathy and Wit
Radhika Nair

2024 Honorable Mention
30 Pages
Check current price
Children - Concept

The Pink Crayon by Radhika Nair is a cute story that teaches kids a much deeper lesson: the beauty of sharing what they have with others. The story follows Mimi, a little girl who loves coloring almost as much as she loves her pink crayon. When some curious pigeons come to play, Mimi doesn’t hesitate to share her crayons with them, except for the pink one, of course! But when the pink crayon is the only crayon left, and one more pigeon would like to play, what will Mimi do?
Sharing is hard. Sharing is even harder when it comes to our very favorite things. Radhika Nair uses the medium of storytelling to discuss a valuable skill with her young audience in a way that a child can easily understand. At the same time, the lesson isn’t shoved into the child’s face in a preachy way. It simply models the behavior through Mimi’s actions and leaves the young reader to determine how Mimi’s actions affected those around her. This method allows for a more natural development of positive behaviors in children, similar to how they learn other behaviors by mimicking the people in their lives. The illustrations are beautifully done! Noor Alshalabi is a talented artist who brought The Pink Crayon to life. The vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds work perfectly with the book’s text to capture the attention of young readers and keep them engaged. I look forward to seeing more work by both the author and the illustrator in the future.
Recommend this book:
The Messy Monster
A Children’s Book about Staying Organized and the Consequences of Messy Habits
Michelle Gilchrist Marcus

2024 Finalist
48 Pages
Check current price
Children - Concept

The Messy Monster by Michelle Gilchrist Marcus is a helpful and delightful children's picture book structured in two parts. The first part relates to all children across the globe. Children often lose things or forget where they put them, and when it's time to play with their favorite toys, they can't find them. The story reminds them how upsetting it can be to spend minutes or even hours searching for what they need and love. This book shows them the importance of cleaning up and not letting the mess become bigger and bigger because the Messy Monster can come and take their things away. The second part is about the 3-step Messy Monster plan. This 3-step plan is quite simple and helps children stay organized, so they will never again lose their favorite things to the Messy Monster.
The Messy Monster is a fantastic rhyming story for children and parents alike. Michelle Gilchrist Marcus delivers a practical, time-saving, and efficient routine to keep belongings in their proper places. This book is a must-read as it shows youngsters the importance of cleaning up after themselves and teaches them how to stay organized and always be ready to play, have fun, explore, go out, or go to school. Teaching young children to build this healthy routine will make them more independent, responsible, and confident over the long term. Children will develop new good habits and skills with the help of worksheets, labels, and the daily check chart found in this educational and wonderfully illustrated book. The Messy Monster is especially for young readers who struggle with executive functioning skills and ADHD.
Recommend this book:
Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World
A Children's Picture Book to Inspire Young Nature Heroes Ages 4 to 8
Tania Moloney

2024 Silver Medal
31 Pages
Check current price
Children - Educational

Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World by Tania Moloney will appeal to anyone who wishes to make their children more aware of environmental issues. The Ninja asks pertinent questions about nature and the environment. The book mentions deforestation, ocean pollution, and global warming to make the young reader more aware. The Ninja feels passionate about these issues and wishes to do something positive within the confines of his home and garden to make the world a better place. What can one Little Ninja do without even having to leave the backyard? The Ninja pays attention to some kinds of insects and how the bees, flowers, and trees can be affected. The book is an excellent example of how to be practical.
I love the unique pictures that are detailed and the variation of green. These fit well together and convey the message of tranquility, harmony, and environmental beauty. The layout is impressive and pleasantly engaging. In certain sections of the story, the text is entertaining and would make the reader want to read happily along. I loved the illustrations of the garden wildflowers. The individual flowers stood out, causing the effect of one being close to the Ninja. At the end of the book, there is a pledge that any other young, dedicated Ninja might enjoy reading repeatedly. Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World by Tania Moloney is an entertaining, attractive, and fun book to learn about nature and shows one how to be proactive in a straightforward way.
Recommend this book:
Carla the Conqueror
Anna Maria DiDio

2024 Bronze Medal
37 Pages
Check current price
Children - Educational

Fear of public speaking is a common phobia, and this is especially true for individuals who aren’t fluent in the local language. In Carla the Conqueror by Anna Maria DiDio, we meet a young immigrant from Colombia who only learned to read and write in English a year ago. She is understandably nervous when she is given an assignment to read a story in front of her classmates. During practice sessions, Carla makes mistakes that add to her concerns. As her assignment date approaches, Carla’s anxiety leads to negative physical manifestations and situational avoidance. But Carla does not give up; her determination is greater than her apprehension. She practices with a helpful teacher to overcome her fears and fulfill her assignment by reading aloud to the entire class.
Anna Maria DiDio tactfully considers an emotion that all of us have experienced at one time or another; anxiety. Through Carla’s story, young readers are comforted by the knowledge that their fears are normal, and they are gently urged to courageously face distressing situations that might limit them. The colorful illustrations breathe life into each page, beautifully depicting the emotions of the characters and providing realistic details for each setting. I appreciate that the story not only benefits children who are nervous to read aloud but also helps us all develop empathy and compassion for individuals who struggle with a new language or similar anxieties. A relatable and empowering story of overcoming the fear of reading aloud to others, Carla the Conqueror delivers a powerful message of bravery and perseverance.
Recommend this book:
The Seeking Tree
Jodi Dee

2024 Bronze Medal
36 Pages
Check current price
Children - Fable

The Seeking Tree by Jodi Dee starts with a breathtaking illustration of a forest filled with beautifully painted trees and distinctively drawn animals. A young sapling was slowly growing among the trees and was excited to learn about the world. It wished to get to know every creature it saw; however, every human passing by was too busy to pay even the slightest attention to it. As the years passed and the world evolved, humans only focused on their creations and seemed to have forgotten the beauty and importance of the nature around them. As the young sapling grew into a tall tree, it continued to wonder when the day would come when the humans would notice it. Will humans ever learn to appreciate sublime nature? Learn the importance of connecting with nature in The Seeking Tree.
The Seeking Tree was both fascinating and eye-opening to read. It is appropriate for children and parents to read since it perfectly explains the value of appreciating and protecting nature, which is currently one of the world's ongoing concerns. The images, co-illustrated by Kaya Oldaker, perfectly depicted the beauty of nature and helped communicate the sapling's needs throughout the story. The skillfully done artwork held my attention and brought the story to life. Reading this book was an entirely new and life-changing experience. It is often tough to persuade people to stop and appreciate nature, but this book reminded me of the beauty of nature that we have often overlooked. This gentle and heartwarming tale imparted an essential and profound message I will never forget. Reading this has been a balm to my soul, and I can't wait for more work done by this talented author and illustrator.
Recommend this book:
The Rainbow Weaver's Apprentice
The Fairy Tunnels Series
Elena Jagar

2024 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

In The Rainbow Weaver's Apprentice by Elena Jagar, Verna, a magic worker, tries to teach Addie the art of rainbow magic, but Addie is too impetuous to follow her orders perfectly. One day, Verna leaves Addie with a specific set of instructions: water the urns with rainbow seeds at sunset. Addie misses the appointed time by moments but hopes her failure will go unnoticed. The next day, everything seems in order, but soon a fog creeps over Woodlander, and Addie and her friend, Gabe, are the only ones unaffected by the depression that comes with it. Addie battles intense emotions as she wonders if she's responsible for the sickness that has befallen her village or if something else is to blame.
In a rich and colorfully detailed story, Elena Jagar paints an adventure in a cleverly conceived world of magic. Most characters are in brilliant colors, and they work hard to protect and thrive in their communities. Addie shows a lot of growth throughout the story as she encounters obstacles either related to her decisions or due to the deeper plot. The book serves as an entertaining tale, but readers may also view it as a lesson for young people about the consequences of their decisions and that not everything is always as it seems. Jagar moves her story along quickly but weaves in perilous situations, new friends, and determination. The Rainbow Weaver's Apprentice is a good selection for children who enjoy stories of adventure, fantasy, and a hint of mystery.
