Awards

When mother and daughter realize they are out of bananas, neither is thrilled with the idea of going to the grocery store. Predicting they will have their usual disagreements over purchases, they head to the local Oinkly Doinkly.  This time, however, a stray cart beckons to the little girl, leading her inside on her own to cruise the aisles. Adventure ensues as the little girl explores the store, unaware that her mother and store staff are forming a search party.

A child’s joy when receiving a bright orange balloon in the park changes to sadness when a group of pigeons startles him, causing him to let go of his special treasure.  Even though the community members in the park respond with kindness, the little boy continues to follow the splashes of bright orange that catch his attention, only to discover a frisbee, a cap, and a helmet instead of the cherished balloon.  Limited text paired with expressive illustrations demonstrate joy, fear, disappointment, and hope.  A surprise twist comes when a tiny splash of orange leads t

Ride along as a cast of characters including a pigeon, rhinoceros, turtle, humans and more discover a bike and take it for a spin. When the rhino discards the bike because it is too small, a turtle gives it a try and declares it is too big! This playful story invites readers to consider different perspectives and conveys the message that something no longer needed by one person can bring joy to another. Readers can pedal through pages as they wobble, thump, squeak, and zap with the riders on this reading adventure! 

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her grandmother, Ama’s, cup, she worries how Ama will react. Imagining the worst-case scenarios, she chooses to run away instead of facing the truth.  When the blame is placed on Mimi the cat, Mei Mei’s guilt becomes overwhelming.  Readers wait with bated breath, along with Mimi the cat, for Mei Mei to tell the truth to Ama.  Compassion and understanding save the day when Ama models a loving approach to help mend the mistake.

Meet Emmie, a creative and intelligent mouse with a very innovative mind.  While some might consider the items in her attic old and no longer useful, Emmie sees a word of possibility!  When faced with a problem or a need, Emmie cleverly develops a plan to build a solution. That is, until one day, when a curious cat enters her space.  Emmie is able to find a solution to this perceived problem as well, but by doing so causes the cat to feel scared.  Readers will love to see that not only is Emmie a talented inventor; she is a caring friend as well.

“Evensong” by Stewart O’Nan is a moving and deeply observant novel set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that captures the quiet complexities of marriage, memory, faith, and aging. Pittsburgh’s Humpty Dumpty Club, an organization of elderly women who support one another and their spouses through their golden years, finds itself in shambles after their leader, Joan, injures herself and can no longer manage the group. Determined to keep the organization running, Joan appoints Kitzi as the group’s new leader.

Every Monday, Mabel starts her day with anticipation, completing her morning routine with purpose so that she is sitting outdoors in plenty of time for her favorite part of the week.  Finally, with flashing lights, squeaking breaks, and a roaring engine…the garbage truck arrives!  While Mabel’s family describes this weekly ritual as boring, cute, and funny, Mabel isn’t the only one in her community who considers the lift, shake, and gah-dump of the garbage truck the very best thing in the world.  Readers won’t want to waste any time in picking up and enjoying this book.

When a group of friends discovers a giant parsnip, their imaginations soar at possibilities it might bring.  When the group decision is to prepare giant parsnip soup, the friends walk readers through each step of the process in an engaging counting book. The back pages offer a double-page spread with numbers 1–10 and matching pictures (1 parsnip, 2 wagons, 3 paper boats), perfect for practicing early math together. If reading gets readers' stomachs growling, they are in luck! The book includes a simple Parsnip Soup recipe to try as well!

Henry is a pup who celebrates art in all its forms, and sculpture is his favorite. He is especially proud of the artistic shapes he creates when out for a walk. Imagine his dismay when his masterpieces are quickly picked up and deposited in the trash can. Young readers will be sure to cheer Henry on as one of his sculptures is recognized and put on display in a safe place by some tiny admirers. If this book is not number one on your list for clever, comical, and heartwarming tales, it must surely be a solid number two. 

“Lilac and the Switchback” by Cordelia Jensen is a poignant middle grade novel about identity, belonging, and family. After losing her mother, Lilac moves in with relatives, but when she learns her aunt is pregnant, she fears there may no longer be room for her. While feeling lonely and slowly drifting apart from her best friend, Lilac discovers a mysterious check from her estranged father. Lilac views a relationship with her biological father as a possible path to finding the family she longs for, ultimately risking everything to discover who she is and where she truly fits in.

Readers are invited by a little girl to explore the various types of mobility supports her family uses, including her tricycle, her father’s big car, and her mother’s “mama car.” An author’s note at the end of the story describes the wheelchair she uses for mobility also as a source of comfort for her children. She shares that her children have “grown up playing on it, falling off it, beautifying it, singing to it.” This experience is beautifully presented throughout the pages as the family cuddles, takes off on expeditions near and far, and enjoys everyday life together.

The title couldn’t be more perfect for this lyrical book celebrating grandparents and the special relationship they have with their grandchildren.  The loving relatives featured on the pages are diverse in culture, occupation, talents, style, and interests. The foot-tapping rhythm and bright illustrations bring out the musical side of readers as they recognize that the common thread among unique MeeMays, Nonnos, Mimis, and Titos, is their unconditional love. 

Lyrical text and charming illustrations tell the story of a sweet little baker on the beach, whose speciality is creating sandy treats.  She proudly offers her sun cakes, seaweed pies, sand puffs, and more to people and animals she encounters on the beach; yet to her dismay, no one is willing to try them.  She stays determined, continuing to create her baked goods until finally she discovers one very hungry, very surprising, customer. Readers will need to read this book to SEA who that customer is!

When mother duck is fast asleep one night, seven eggs hatch and seven baby ducklings emerge from their shells and go off to explore in the wild. When mother wakes and sees the cracked eggs, she immediately sets off to find them. Gentle rhyme accompanies mother duck as she searches and finds her little ones, whether stuck on a limb or in the jaws of a fox! Mother duck becomes a bit bewildered when she counts more than seven little ones.  As she counts and thinks, the author gives children the joy of discovering the joke themselves.

This sweet story is an ode (or is it an odor?) to animal lovers, young and old! Vivid imagery and sensory details bring this silly and heartfelt book to life. Young Pie introduces readers to Peggy the dog, who licks, steals, rolls, and shakes her way into everyone’s hearts, even if she is a bit naughty at times! The author brilliantly invites the reader into the action by asking for their opinion throughout the book, making the story so entertaining that readers can almost smell Peggy themselves!