Award Winning Picture Books

We are often asked for award-winning books when patrons don't have a specific topic they want to read.  It is a common enough request that we label the winners of three picture book awards -- Caldecott Medal (best picture book awarded by ALA), Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award (favorite picture book chosen by children awarded by MLA), and Show Me Readers Award (favorite picture book chosen by children awarded by MASL).  Here are some of our favorites of these award-winning picture books . . . .

The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world. (2015 Caldecott Award)

Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry

A monster searches everywhere to find the things he loves: bunnies!!! (2016 Building Block Award)

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

A little fish thinks he can get away with stealing a hat. (2013 Caldecott Medal)

Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog by Emily Arnold McCully

When silent movie director Larry Trimble decides to put Strongheart, a police dog, into his movies as the lead actor, he must first train him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog, but Strongheart becomes a sensation until his military training leads to trouble, and possibly the end of his career. (2017 Show Me Readers Award)

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

In the rhythm of a familiar folk song, a child cannot resist adding one more dab of paint in surprising places. (2006 Building Block Award)

More Award-Winning Picture Books --

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

The Blue House Dog by Debrorah Blumenthal

Dandy by Ame Dyckman

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Last Stop of Market Street by Matt de la Pena

The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Pug Meets Pig by Sue Gallion

Scaredy Snacks by Terry Border

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Some Dog by Mary Casanova

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Wolfboy by Andy Harkness