Let the parade of announcements begin!
We're starting with the youngest readers ...
Board books and picture books are our child’s first stories – at playtime, before nap, and as bedtime stories. They are a show-and-tell art form. Colorful. Beautiful. Funny. Poignant. Amazing. Pick your word. These are the stories – with and without words – that can capture our hearts and mind, whether we are two or 92!
The best ones are read over and over and over again, until we can recite them by heart. They are the foundation of our children's libraries and the best among them become lifelong treasures.
This judging panel will be looking for "the" book that excels in story, illustration, kid appeal, and literary value. These are you the books your toddler wanted you to read every day, multiple times a day. The story where your child wanted to "be" that character. Or the book so powerful you both sobbed at the end ... and couldn't stop thinking about it.
Be sure to click the links to see where our judges post their reviews!
... and don't hesitate to follow them on social media.
CHAIR: SAM RICHARDSON
R2: Finalist > Winner
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Mary Boone, Boone Writes
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Niki Brooks, @raisingalegacybookshelf
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Kimberly Gould, @betterbedtimebooks
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Maria Marshall, @mariamarshall_
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Erin Steinbach, Mama-bearian
R1: Nomination > Finalist
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Sam Richardson, @littlecubliteracy
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Tura Foster Gillespie, Teaching Cultural Compassion
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Brooke Freebairn, @thebrookelist
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Erin Murray, @boxcanyonclassroom
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Aimee Smith, @keepabookout
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Natalie Tate, Natalie's Book Recs Archive
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Pamela Thompson McLeod, What We're Reading Now
Of note: Although board books and fiction picture books are in the same category, they are judged separately.