Awards

Readers will be over the moon about this wordless picture book! When a young student dozes off during a field trip and is left behind, a group of friendly residents draw near, mesmerized by the effect of a colorful box of crayons on their mostly gray environment. Although we cannot see the students’ or teacher’s faces due to space helmets, the author/illustrator uses brilliant body language within his art to depict their emotions throughout the adventure.

Young readers may be most familiar with water as a liquid, observing it in puddles, sinks, and glasses. However, the little girl in the story shows us that when it comes to water, there is much more than meets the eye. Through accessible text and clear illustrations, readers can explore the science of water in puddles, tears, fog, icebergs and even living beings. Readers will expand both knowledge and vocabulary as they embark on a tour of water in its many unique forms.

Frank is an older dog who prefers peace and quiet and a good nap in his favorite sunny spot. On Frank’s birthday, his owner Kate wants to be sure his day is special and plans some boisterous activities that are the perfect match for her human friends, but result in Frank seeking solace in a closet. Kate finally recognizes that her good intentions are overwhelming to her furry companion, and decides to turn the day around in a way that celebrates who Frank is in the best way possible. 

When Lubna and her father arrive at a refugee settlement, Lubna finds comfort and friendship in a pebble she finds on the beach. She appreciates Pebble’s company as it listens to her with its hand-drawn, yet warm, smile. When Lubna meets Amir, a younger boy who has arrived at the settlement, she enjoys his company, while still maintaining her strong connection with Pebble. The day Lubna and her father prepare to leave for a new home is bittersweet.

This book calls itself a thriller, and it is indeed. Through use of engaging text and alliteration, enticing illustrations, and a suspenseful storyline, this is much more than a counting book. Anticipation increases (along with the numbers) as readers watch a sly, famished fox creep its way toward three unsuspecting hens. Once he arrives, both the excitement (and counting) hit an all-time high. The author assures readers at the end of this thrilling tale that “no hens or foxes were harmed in the making of this book.” That is one big relief.

It is a special, splendid Saturday, the day of the week Ava and her mother cherish after a busy week of work. The schedule for the day is set, but things do not go as smoothly as they had hoped. When they encounter disappointment throughout the story, including a cancelled storytime and forgotten tickets for a puppet show, Ava and her mother both take time to acknowledge their feelings, take some deep breaths together, and continue with their day.

Cheese Doodle, Pretzel, and Cookie are delighted to have the afternoon to roam the house, until they find a note from Mom that directs her “Monster Kid” to the available snacks in the house. They brainstorm solutions to their problem, desperate to find a way to escape their fate of being cracked in half, dunked in milk, and swallowed in a monstrous gulp. Anticipation mounts as the trio attempts to hide, considers implementing the “five second rule,” and finally agrees to edit the note in a way that favors their survival.

As a father and son end their day at sea, the young boy spots a whale caught in fishing lines. Although resistant at first, the boy’s father gives in to his son’s urgent plea and swims to the creature in need, carefully cutting the whale free from captivity. This book is wordless; however, the watercolor illustrations speak volumes about empathy and the connection among all living creatures.

Truman is a peaceful and pensive turtle, who lives in the city with his Sarah. Each day, Truman watches the bustling streets below from his window high above the city. When Sarah unexpectedly boards the number 11 bus one morning, awaiting her return becomes unbearable. Truman makes the decision that he must find Sarah, but that means Truman must step out of his comfort zone…and his tank! Truman’s dedication to his Sarah and his courage throughout his adventure are bound to pull reluctant readers out of their shells and into a world filled with new sights, sounds, and thoughts.

The world is full of unique homes where people and animals live. This book puts a fun twist on this topic using wordplay. Detailed illustrations feature realistic animal dwellings followed by imaginative, two-page spreads that bring homonyms (two words that have the same spelling and sound but different meanings) to life. For example, eager readers can observe beavers living in a “lodge” made with branches and mud. Then they turn the page, and enjoy a different type of “lodge,” where beavers are skiing the slopes, playing card games, and cozying up by the fire.

Have you ever looked into the autumn sky and observed the moon? In this story, Little Star and her Mama bake a big, round, wonderful mooncake together, and place it in the sky. As the mooncake rises and Little Star lies awake in her cozy bed, she can’t resist the temptation to tiptoe closer and take a little nibble. Her continued nighttime visits produce a trail of crumbs that engage the reader and beautifully illustrate the different phases of the moon. Little Star’s quiet adventure will leave readers wishing for a mooncake of their very own. 

Dave is a likeable caveman who loves the green grass and big comfy rocks that make his home. That is, unless, there is a better cave out there with greener grass and bigger rocks. In humorous caveman language, this story follows Dave as he seeks out a better home. Readers can relate as Dave explores the characteristics of different caves and realizes, at long last, that there just may be no place like home. This book is perfect for a fun read with a meaningful message.

Fox and Chick, a pair of unlikely friends, embark on a series of adventures in this book, which is separated into three brief and entertaining chapters: The Party, Good Soup, and Sit Still. In each chapter, the two friends interact using a comic book panel format that is accessible and engaging to young readers. The humorous dialogue between the two characters will have readers wanting to read more. The two companions may not always see eye to eye, but their friendship rises above their differences.