USBBY Book Awards List

Awarded by:  The Outstanding International Books committee of USBBY selects an honor list.

Van Mol, Sine. (2011).  Meena.  The United Kingdom: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.  Originally published in Belgium.  

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

Children are fearful of their elderly neighbor Meena and decide she is a witch.  They meet Meena’s granddaughter and soon realize how wrong they were.  This book provides a good jumping off point for a discussion on misunderstandings and bullying.  The illustrations by Carianne Wijffels are very unusual and convey the strong emotions in the book.  She uses layering of color and texture to emphasize a character on a page and secondary characters are drawn in one layer. 

Trottier, Maxine. (2011)  Migrant.  Canada:  Groundwood Books. 

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This beautifully written and illustrated book depicts the feelings of a young migrant girl named Anna who wonders what it would be like to stay in one place.  The illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault let us into Anna’s imagination with soft dream-like colors in watercolor, crayons and paper collage.  This book would be a springboard for discussion on the issues facing Mennonite workers from Mexico who come to Canada to work for 6 months of the year as well as migrant workers’ plights in general.  For younger readers, it is a good opportunity to discuss/list this characters’ feelings and discuss the book’s phrasing such as, “Anna feels like a jackrabbit.”

Other Awards:

New York Times Best Illustrated 2011

 

Young, Cybele. (2011).  Ten Birds.  Toronto, Ontario, Canada:  Kids Can Press Ltd.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This pen and ink intricately drawn book pulls you in on so many levels.  It is a problem solving book in which both ingenuity and common sense must be used by the birds.  Readers can look at the first picture and predict how the machinery might be used in each case.  The surprise at the end shows that labeling others is senseless and that simple solutions are often the best.

Other Awards:

2011 Governor General's Award for Illustration

ALA Children's Book Recordings

Henkes, Kevin (1996).  Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.  New York, New York:  Greenwillow

            Books.  Performed by Laura Hamilton. 16:22 mins.  Live Oak Media.  2001.

Lilly absolutely loves school.  She loves everything about it especially her teacher, Mr. Springer. One day, Lilly brings her new purple plastic purse to school to show everyone.  Inside she also has shiny quarters and amazing movie star sunglasses.  She cannot wait to show everyone.  In fact, she continues to disrupt the class until Mr. Springer says he will keep the purse in his desk until the end of the day.  Lilly is crushed and makes a mean picture about him and puts it in his school bag.  Mr. Springer gives her back the purse at the end of the day with a kind note.  Lilly is horrified!  She feels so bad and tells her family.  Together, they devise a good apology plan.  The next day, Mr. Springer forgives Lilly readily and life is good again. The endearing, detailed pictures will draw the reader in as they delight to Lilly’s antics at school and home.  This recording of Kevin Henkes’ much-loved book is an engaging rendition.  Laura Hamilton does a nice job of becoming Lilly for us as well as Mr. Springer and other minor characters.  The sound effects and short music segments complements the story perfectly and does not overwhelm it.  Children will enjoy this reading as a bedtime story or in the car.  It would also be enjoyed as a listening center in a classroom.  The message of this book is a great one.  You can make a big mistake but tomorrow is another day and you can make it right.  This is a good message for all of us!

ALA Notable Children’s Book


Booklist Editors’ Choice


Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon


Horn Book Fanfare


Publishers Weekly Best Book


School Library Journal Best Book


New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing


IRA Children’s Choice


American Booksellers Book of the Year Award


American Booksellers Association “Pick of the Lists”


Children’s Literature Choice List


California Great Reads Award


Zena Sutherland Award (Chicago, IL)

Willems, Mo (2004).  Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!  New York, New York:  Hyperion

            Books for Children.   Narrated by Mo Willems and Jon Scieszka.  Weston Woods Studios,

            Inc., 2009.

The bus driver needs to leave for a little bit and asks the reader to be sure that the pigeon does not drive the bus.  Of course, the pigeon tries everything possible to get the reader to say yes.  However, we as the readers, stand firm.  The bus driver congratulates us at the end and the pigeon now has his eye on a fire truck.  This simply drawn book pulls the reader in through both the illustration and the text.  In this recording, the book is playfully narrated by the author; with help from Jon Scieszka.  The fun instrumental parts invites the audience response and children certainly will!  The third track is Mo Willems talking about how he came up with this idea and how he approaches writing.  He said that he draws simply like a 5 year old in hopes that a child will copy him and then branch off with their work.  Both the read aloud and the interview are highly engaging and both children and adults will enjoy them very much.

This book has won:

2004 Caldecott Honor Book

New York Times Bestseller

2004 ALA Notable Book

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Booklist Best Book of the Year

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year

The recording has also won:

AudioFile Earphones Award

Agra Deedy, Carmen (1994).  The Library Dragon.  Atlanta, Georgia:  Peachtree Publishers.

            Narrated by the author.  Peachtree Compact Disc Audio.  2012.

Sunrise Elementary is in desperate need of a librarian.  Miss Lotta Scales is hired to guard the library.  She takes her job very seriously.  No one is allowed to touch the new books she has bought for the library.  The library becomes a place to be dreaded.  No one knows what to do!  One day, Molly Brickmeyer accidentally enters the library.  She was looking for her glasses and could not see much without them.  A book drops into her lap and she begins to read aloud.  Children hear this and gather around.  Even Miss Scales cannot help but listen.  She is shocked to see children so comfortable here in the library.  Miss Scales takes the book and begins to read aloud herself.  As she reads, her scales begin to fall off and Molly climbs into her lap.  The transformation is almost complete.  Children begin to love the library.  But, a little bit of a dragon remains to “guard the books!”   The book’s illustrations by Michael White will hold the readers’ interest.  They are large and flowing and capture the mood on each page.  Miss Lotta Scales, being a dragon, dominates the illustrations but you can also sense the other character’s emotions in their faces. In addition, there are many small details to be enjoyed on each page such as little signs on her desk or on the walls.  Children will enjoy discovering them. While it would be a great read aloud to a class, I can see an individual child or a pair really enjoying the chance to study the small details in each picture.  The author narrates the recording of this book.  There is no music or sound effects.  It is very simply done but effective.

This book has won:

Numerous state awards

Charlotte Zolotow Book Awards

Awarded by:  The Children's Cooperative Book Center.  A 5 member committee comprised of children's literature experts, chooses the best picture book for its text and child's point of view, and up to 5 honor books, and 10 highly recommended books.

Stead, Philip (2010).  A Sick Day for Amos McGee.  New York, New York:  Roaring Brook Press.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

Amos McGee is a most unusual zoo keeper.  Among his many responsibilities, he also is sure to make his animal friends feel special.  He plays chess with the elephant, he runs races with the tortoise, he sits quietly with the shy penguin and more.  One day, he is very sick and cannot come to work.  His animal friends worry and take the city bus to his house.  There, they take very good care of their good friend and even spend the night.  This charming story about friendship is sure to delight young readers as they discuss what does make a good friend.  Students may also want to brainstorm what animals they would choose to write about and what fun things they could do together.  It is important to note that the woodblock illustrations by the author’s wife, Erin Stead are soft and gentle with just touches of color and give much more depth and detail to the story. Young students will be sure to point these out and delight in them.  This is a good book to use in a lesson on visual literacy.

Other Awards:

ALSC Notable Children's Book

Caldecott Medal Winner

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens

CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

Illinois Monarch Award: K-3 Children's Choice Award Master List

Wisconsin Educational Media Association Golden Archer Award Master List

Willems, Mo (2004).  Knuffle Bunny-A Cautionary Tale.  New York, New York:  Hyperion

            Books for Children.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

A toddler named Trixie, her daddy, and Knuffle Bunny go to the Laundromat.  However the wonderful day changes drastically when Trixie realizes, on the walk home, that Knuffle Bunny is gone!  Daddy does not understand what she wants.  When they arrive home, Mommy knows right away.  They rush back and after much searching, Daddy finds Knuffle Bunny and saves the day.

The cartoon drawings of the characters superimposed over real photos of Mo Willems’ neighborhood are very unique and interesting.   The facial expressions of the family, especially Trixie, are hilarious and add so much more detail to the story.  This book is excellent for talking about the author’s craft, for discussing characterization and emotion, plot structure, and so much more!  This book is rich with possibilities for extension activities and discussions.

Other Awards:

2005 Caldecott Honor Book

New York Times Bestseller

Bang, Molly (1999).  When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry.  New York, New York:

 Blue Sky Press.

Sophie and her sister are playing.  Sophie is enjoying a stuffed gorilla and her sister snatches it away and says, “my turn!”  Mommy agrees that it is her turn.  Sophie becomes very angry and screams, and kicks and roars.  Finally, all she can do is run and run.  She goes outside and runs until she can’t run anymore.  Finally she finds her favorite tree and climbs it.  Looking out at the world calms her and comforts her and then she is ready to go home.  Her family is happy to see her and all is well.  The vivid full page illustrations not only portray Sophie’s world in detail but also her emotions.  When she is roaring, there is a large red jagged line that shoots from her.  On each page you can “see” her anger as it erupts from her.  Children will understand that this is how anger feels.  Before reading the book, have the children infer how the girl on the cover is feeling.  How do you know?  Discuss facial expressions and see if they can mimic hers.  Following the reading, this book would be a great chance to discuss productive ways and destructive ways to handle anger.  I am sure that there would be many children ready to discuss and share a time when they were really angry. 

Other Awards:

Caldecott Honor Book, 2000

Caldecott Awards

Awarded by:  a fifteen member ALA committee.  

Juster, Norton (2005).  The Hello, Goodbye Window.  New York, New York:  Hyperion Books for

            Children.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This lovely story describes the time that a little girl spends with her grandparents while her parents are at work. It is a touching story of how the grandparents make a little girl feel so loved and adored.  She feels she is the center of their world.  “When I get tired, I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up.”  Everyday events and rituals are very important for the child and all the more special just by being together. The window in the kitchen is part of the ritual for the child as it is how she greets and says goodbye to her grandparents.  The unusual artwork by Chris Raschka is reminiscent of a child’s drawings and makes it feel very authentic as though the child truly wrote this book.  This story is a must for grandparents to share with their grandchild.  This book could be the springboard for young students to sequence a special day they spent with their grandparent or other special relative. 

Other Awards:

•    ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2006

•    School Library Journal best books of 2005

•    Parenting Magazine best book of the year 2005

•    Boston Globe/Horn Book, honor book 2005

•    CCBC Choices 2006

•    New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year winner, 2005

Fleming, Denise (1994).  In The Small, Small Pond.  New York, New York:  Henry Holt and

            Company, Inc.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This vividly illustrated book brings in close proximity, the life around a pond.  The simple rhyming text uses strong sound and action words to describe the activity of the wide variety of life around a pond.  It is a busy place all year until winter sets in and the final page bids a good night to the sleeping pond.  This book would be a great nature read aloud.  It could set the stage for a class nature walk.  It would be also be a springboard for the discussion that would follow.  Maybe a class book would result from the nature walk with close up pictures done by the students.  This beautiful book is one not to be missed whether it is with a whole class or a small group or a single child.

Other Awards:


ALA Notable Book 1994


American Bookseller Pick of the List 1993


New York Public Library List of One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing


Ohioana Book Award – Juvenile Fiction 1994


Parents Reading-Magic Award – Outstanding Children's Book 1993


Parents Magazine Best Kids' Books of 1993


Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 1993 Editors' Choice 


School Library Journal Best Books of 1993

Cronin, Doreen (2000).  Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type.  New York, New York:  Simon &

            Schuster Books For Young Readers.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This hilarious book tells the story of some cows that find a way to get their desires met.  They type a note to Farmer Brown requesting electric blankets.  He refuses this request so the cows refuse to give milk.  The chickens get in on the act and also want electric blankets.  Again, Farmer Brown refuses.  Now there are no eggs!  As a compromise, the duck delivers a note saying that if he will provide the blankets, they will give up the typewriter.  The Duck should deliver it to Farmer Brown but it has one other use before that and makes for a very amusing ending.  The illustrations by Betsy Lewin are a mixture of watercolor and drawings and have a cartoon like quality which makes them very endearing and adds to the comic tone.  This story is a lot of fun to share with children.  A discussion about compromise is sure to follow.  Have they ever wanted anything from Mom and Dad?  What happened?  Was there a compromise?  It is also a good opportunity to talk about “point of view”. 

Other Awards:

Named one of the Best Children's Books 2000 by Publisher's Weekly

Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin (2003).  What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?  New York, New

            York:  Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This book will draw readers in from the very first page.  A question is asked:  What do you do with a nose like this?  Several noses are displayed.  Children can guess what animal it is.  Then, when you turn the page, each animal is shown that matches the noses and what the nose is used for.  This pattern is repeated throughout the book using different body parts such as mouths, tails, eyes etc.  Children will learn interesting facts about each animal and have the option to learn even more with a section that gives more details about each of the animals shown in the book.  The large cut paper collage illustrations by Steve Jenkins are so detailed and interesting.  Children may want to try to create their own!

Other Awards:

ALA Notable Children's Book (2004)

Say, Allen (1993).  Grandfather’s Journey.  Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre:  Biographical picture book

Allen Say recounts his grandfather’s journey from Japan across the United States and ending in San Francisco.  From there, he marries and has a daughter.  He feels homesick for Japan and takes the family back home there.  However, he also feels homesick for California.  Allen Say himself arrives in the US at age 16.  He too grows to love the U.S. but also longs for Japan.  “The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”  He felt a real connection to his grandfather when he realized this.  The full page oil paintings are rich and full of detail.  They will evoke much discussion with older readers about the three-generation time frame in which the story takes place.  This book is unforgettable for all ages.

Other Awards:

Bulletin Blue Ribbon
 


ALA Notable Book


Booklist Editors' Choice


Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
Horn Book

Fanfare Selection
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year


New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year