2020 Story Monsters Approved Winners
/2020 Story Monsters Approved Winners Announced
Book of the Year Winner:
How to Cure a Mine Monster
by Brittany Plumeri, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova
$100 Drawing Winner:
Ever Alice
by HJ Ramsay
Board Books (Birth-Ages 3)
CeCe & Roxy: A Day in the Life of Roxy by Pascha Adamo, illustrated by Caroline Merino and Brittany Wilde
LOVE by Casey Rislov, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis
Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Fiction
Sharing: Teaching Children How to Be Polite, Caring, and Kind by J.S. Jen and Penny B. Jen, illustrated by CyAn Platas
Dear Mr. Wasn't Me by Laura Jensen-Kimball, illustrated by Peter Mahr
Brody the Lion: Sometimes I ROAR! by Kristin Wegner, illustrated by Alexandra Garcia
Dreams of Zugunruhe by Michael Kinsey, Ph.D., illustrated by Ros Webb
My Laundry Basket Adventures by Jill Yamaner, illustrated by Heather McCarthy
ABC Questions by Christine Cruz, illustrated by Jason Buhagiar
Abracadabra Whoopsie by Adam Kargman, illustrated by Tristan Tait
Evie's Field Day: More than One Way to Win by Claire Noland, illustrated by Alicia Teba
Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
How to Cure a Mine Monster by Brittany Plumeri, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova
Jamie's Pet by Ramona Morrow
Maddie's Saturday to Remember by Karen Jonice Bricker, illustrated by Samela St. Pierre
My Lil' Santa Visit by Toby A. Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Night, Night Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Please Don't Tell Cooper He's A Dog by Michelle Lander Feinberg, illustrated by Anna Mosca
A Papillon Christmas Tale by Kevin Brougher, illustrated by Jessica Warrick
Too Sweet by Anna Svetchnikov
The Adventures of Forkman: What's That Noise? by Tiffany Caldwell and W.R. MacKenzie, illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
The Little Letter k and the Boring Alphabet Line by Kai Mahalyn Tampol and Dr. Velma Bagby, illustrated by Ishika Sharma
The Macaron Mishap as told by Jack the Raccoon by K Patton, illustrated by Joe Huffman
Thomas the Turkey by Lindsay Ann Fink
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge (Children's Edition - Narrated with Christmas Carols) by Norman Whaler
10 Ballet Dancers by Amanda Malek-Ahmadi, illustrated by Kathrine Gutkovskiy
I'm An Earth Angel by Erin Hourahan, illustrated by Maria Boutin
It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
Bellerophon by Simon Spence
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through the Alphabet by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Abella Starts A Tooth Fairy School by Zane Carson Carruth, illustrated by Surajit Dutta
Parker the Purple Penguin by Marybeth Wishart, illustrated by Marianella Aguirre
I Don't Celebrate Anything by Donna Neumann, illustrated by Alexandra Rusu
Didi the Picky Puppy by Kate Maher, illustrated by Chiara Civati
A Blaze of Dragons and Other Fairytale Families by Jennifer Preston Chushcoff
EEPWORM's Emotional Day by Corinne Goyette
Wizard and the Lizard: Wacky Weather by Katie Reed, illustrated by Jenna Wing-Hu
Jump the Moon by Kathy Simmers, illustrated by Marjorie Van Heerden
Goodnight Sweet Bear by Michelle Milne
Wizard and the Lizard by Katie Reed, illustrated by Jenna Wing-Hu
The Adventures of Bentley Hippo: Inspiring Children to Share by Argyro Graphy, illustrated by MH Likhon
Slog the Winged Frog Sister’s Surprise by Javelin Jaaziel
The Jolly Bupbup by Ann Borrmann, illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire
What Does My Dog Jack Do At Night? by Adam Mock, illustrated by Segundo Garcia
Emma Kate and The Show and Tell Day by Melissa Balderas, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
Kiran Creates by Rachelle Jones Smith, illustrated by Silver Velvet
Cassie Pup's Favorite Ladybug and Snake Stories by Sheri Poe-Pape, illustrated by Harry Aveira
I Miss You Most by Cassie Hoyt, illustrated by Stefanie St. Denis
Running Nose by Terry Jackson, illustrated by Jason Fowler
The Giraffe Who Found Its Spots by Adisan Books
Evelyn and the Chickens by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
How to Teach Your Adult: To Believe in Magic by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
Lizzi Light the Star Fisher by Gwen Mariani, illustrated by Amy Avery Smith
Oodles and Oodles of Noodley Noodles by Cindy Ninni Grant, illustrated by Katie Weaver
Peke-A-Boo! Find the Ball That's Blue by Wendy Zambrana, illustrated by Anne Zimanski
Spend the Day with Atlas the Bear by Sharon Allison and Iris McCray, illustrated by Giorgos Papastathopoulos
Turn on the Sun by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
Everywhere by Adam Loveless, illustrated by Madeline Timm
Grandpa Kevin's...The Three Little Pigs by Kevin Brougher, illustrated by Jessica Warrick
The Aria in Me by Kali Bate
I'm Going to My First Comic Convention by Candy Keane, illustrated by Katherine Margaritis
Nellie Learns Patience by Jessica Almeida, illustrated by Justine Tobin
RICH...Like Us! by Kevin Brougher, illustrated by Lorraine Dey
Sascha Martin's Rocket-Ship by John Arthur Nichol, illustrated by Manuela Pentangelo
Buckle Up: A Children's Imaginary Journey about Self-Control by Stephanie Scott, illustrated by Olga Barinova
Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Nonfiction
An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made Joao Pereira De Souza an Honorary Penguin by Alayne Kay Christian, illustrated by Milanka Reardon
I Wish You Happiness by Michael Wong, illustrated by Ann Baratashvili
Ni Hao, China! by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
Something's Eating the Garden by Pam Fries
Little Jewel's Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
Shalom Israel by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
Where is my Home? by Lucy Parrianen, illustrated by Robyn Thomson
Freckle Faced Gus and A Stay at Home Dad? by Brittany Cycholl, illustrated by Chris Herrick
I Was Small, But Now I'm Tall by Jennifer Degl, illustrated by Jennifer Becker
Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Fiction
Nala's Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall by Despena Zouzas, illustrated by Maria Katinas
Rose, Everyone needs a friend by Melanie Ann
My Lil' Santa Visit by Toby A. Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Night, Night Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
The Frog at the Window (A Completely Wild Christmas Tale) by Scott J. Langteau, illustrated by Michaela Brannon
Adventures with Divot & Swish in Costa Rica by Beth Brown, PhD, illustrated by Charlotte Strickland
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through the Alphabet by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Abella Starts A Tooth Fairy School by Zane Carson Carruth, illustrated by Surajit Dutta
What Day Is It? Everyday Seems the Same by Nancy Panasci, illustrated by Arianna Phillips
The Adventures of TJ and His Wheelable Chair by Amanda Kehoe
Detective LB and Hopper: The Case of the Missing Chocolate Frogs by Janey Gaston, illustrated by Anil Tortop
Bugging a Bug by JC Sykes, illustrated by Navi Robins
My Lil' New Pup by Toby A. Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Quallo Zuto by Terry Jackson, illustrated by Jason Fowler
Charlie and the Purple Roses by Robin Rotenberg, illustrated by Patrick Carlson
TJ and his Wheelable Chair by Amanda Kehoe
Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Nonfiction
Ni Hao, China! by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
Shalom Israel by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
Aunt Bugs Little Life Lessons: Safety Mission by Jemma Ryan, illustrated by Chelsea Davis
Peny's Purse by Natalie Elliott, illustrated by Naomi Davis
What's in a Kitchen? by Alice Miller, illustrated by Margaret Skylis
First Chapter Books (Ages 6-10) Fiction
Family Time “I’m A Star” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
The Garden and the Glen by Elizabeth Moseley, illustrated by Maggie Green
The Bald Princess Discovers Her Superpower by Tricia O'Neill Politte and Rachel Rose Gray, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Mortimer and Me: The Bigfoot Mystery by Kathie McMahon, illustrated by Tom Tate
Sparky & Benny's Big Home Mystery by Janice Lao-Noche and Esther Noche, illustrated by Rhea Reburiano-Lajom
Voyage to Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
The Victims of Dr. Pold by Rachel Woolsey
Daniel's Dreams: Monster Mountain by Leanne Brown, illustrated by Yogesh Mahajan
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) Fiction
Amethyst and Rainbow Island by Olivia Sunshine
Family Time “I’m A Star” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse by Sherrill Joseph
The King's Decree by Torina Kingsley
Adventures with Divot & Swish in Costa Rica by Beth Brown, PhD, illustrated by Charlotte Strickland
The PE's by Rachel Woolsey
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Worlds Beneath and Above the Stars by Wallace Briggs
7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner, illustrated by Luke Spooner
The Crazy Plant Lady by Rachel Woolsey
The Victims of Dr. Pold by Rachel Woolsey
Sascha Martin's Rocket-Ship by John Arthur Nichol, illustrated by Manuela Pentangelo
Tween Novels (Ages 10-14) Fiction
Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse by Sherrill Joseph
Written In Time by Deborah Edmisten
The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner, illustrated by Sam Shearon
Mystery In Time by Deborah Edmisten
The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Back In Time by Deborah Edmisten
7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner, illustrated by Luke Spooner
The Peculiar Predicaments of the Mississippi River Rats by Rain Story
Family Time “I’m A Star” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Young Adult Novels (Ages 13+)
Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
Feasters: An Apocalyptic Tale by Solomon Petchers
Upside Down in a Laura Ingalls Town by Leslie Tall Manning
Ever Alice by HJ Ramsay
Young Author (Ages 17 and under) Fiction
Gino and The Monster Bully by Ashley Nevison, illustrated by Ashley and Jonathan Nevison
The Aria in Me by Kali Bate
Collection of Short Stories
Dream It and Do It by Holly Sharp
Cultural Diversity
A Multicultural Picnic by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos
Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
My Travel Memories by Angela Ian Tam
Ni Hao, China! by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
I'm An Earth Angel by Erin Hourahan, illustrated by Maria Boutin
Shalom Israel by Sohan Chunduru, illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic
Wish Away by Anna Svetchnikov
I Don't Celebrate Anything by Donna Neumann, illustrated by Alexandra Rusu
The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Mrs. Ashbury Teaches Black History by Rekia Beverly
Jose the Reindeer by Ernest Olivarez
Family Time “I’m A Star” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Education/Reference
Wings and Feet Activity Book by Lisa Reinicke, illustrated by Scot McDonald
Firefly Cave: The Tunnel to Australia by Janet Toonen
Firefly Cave: The Tunnel to China by Janet Toonen
Health And Safety For You And Me by Rick Grant, illustrated by Anabel Alfonso
Pretty Purple Piggy Bank by Ron Ryan, illustrated by Kseniia Dohlopolova
Pling's Party by Arielle Haughee, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
Mindful Monsters Therapeutic Workbook by Lauren Stockly, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
Family Matters
So There's a Sibling by Sarah Land, illustrated by Arielle Shira
I Miss You Most by Cassie Hoyt, illustrated by Stefanie St. Denis
But i don't want to say GOODBYE! by Ta'Shay Mason, illustrated by Tanya Colton-Cauley
Welcome My Love by Sarah Faison
The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner, illustrated by Sam Shearon
The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
CeCe & Roxy: How We Came to Be by Pascha Adamo, illustrated by Caroline Merino and Brittany Wilde
Voyage to Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
Shout NO! A Child’s Rhyme About Tricky People...And What To Do by Sara Ernst
Freckle Faced Gus and A Stay at Home Dad? by Brittany Cycholl, illustrated by Chris Herrick
Family Time “I’m A Star” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
I am Just a Baby by Anna Svetchnikov
First-Time Author
Please Don't Tell Cooper He's A Dog by Michelle Lander Feinberg, illustrated by Anna Mosca
The Search for the Scepter by Julie Dinges, illustrated by Nazar Horokhivskyi
The Giraffe Who Found Its Spots by Adisan Books
Be Mindful of Monsters by Lauren Stockly, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
Ever Alice by HJ Ramsay
Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Night, Night Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Please Don't Tell Cooper He's a Dog by Michelle Lander Feinberg, illustrated by Anna Mosca
Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
Little Jewel's Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
The Little Letter k and the Boring Alphabet Line by Kai Mahalyn Tampol and Dr. Velma Bagby, illustrated by Ishika Sharma
Thomas the Turkey by Lindsay Ann Fink
I'm An Earth Angel by Erin Hourahan, illustrated by Maria Boutin
It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune, illustrated by Pieter Els
When the Sun Met the Moon by Simran Mohinani, illustrated by Leo Hartas
Brody the Lion: Sometimes I ROAR! by Kristin Wegner, illustrated by Alexandra Garcia
Conversations with Samantha: Love Your Skin by Patricia Young, illustrated by Joseph Burke
CeCe & Roxy: How We Came to Be by Pascha Adamo, illustrated by Caroline Merino and Brittany Wilde
Jump the Moon by Kathy Simmers, illustrated by Marjorie Van Heerden
Dreams of Zugunruhe by Michael Kinsey, Ph.D., illustrated by Ros Webb
Sparky & Benny's Big Home Mystery by Janice Lao-Noche and Esther Noche, illustrated by Rhea Reburiano-Lajom
Detective LB and Hopper: The Case of the Missing Chocolate Frogs by Janey Gaston, illustrated by Anil Tortop
Peny's Purse by Natalie Elliott, illustrated by Naomi Davis
Melvin's Amazing Noise Machine by Christine Monroe
Rose, Everyone needs a friend by Melanie Ann
Nellie Learns Patience by Jessica Almeida, illustrated by Justine Tobin
Cynthia's Forest by Lauren Kim
Wagatha's Tale by Erin Gill Reilly, illustrated by Dale Coykendall
Everyday Icing, Layer One by Shawna Robinson
Green Living/Environmental Issues
Dogfish Saves the Ocean by Rita Reed, illustrated by Craig Cartwright
Butterfly Grandma: Black Swallowtail! by Mary Ann Falter, illustrated by Emma, Genevieve, and Dean Falter
Journey To A New Earth: Penelope Panda and Kobi Koala Discover A New Earth by Zeiny Sher, illustrated by Suzana Svobodova
Sparky & Benny's Big Home Mystery by Janice Lao-Noche and Esther Noche, illustrated by Rhea Reburiano-Lajom
The Adventures of Willow & Oliver by Rain Story
Health and Wellness
Anxious Ellie by Danielle Price, illustrated by Nana Gonzales
Be Mindful of Monsters by Lauren Stockly, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
Mrs. Ashbury's Hero by Rekia Beverly, illustrated by Donald L. Hill
Something's Eating the Garden by Pam Fries
Who Are Our Heroes?: A reminder to say “thank you!” in the time of coronavirus and beyond by Eliana Melmed, illustrated by Amy Tiam
Who's Jerry? by T. M. Jackson, illustrated by Darwin Marfil
Bugs Be Gone by Chentell Merriman and Randa Mikeska, illustrated by Mariya Stoyanova
The King's Decree by Torina Kingsley
Scooter and the Muttering Monster by Carrie Koontz, illustrated by Amy Elizabeth Swen
Health And Safety For You And Me by Rick Grant, illustrated by Anabel Alfonso
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune, illustrated by Pieter Els
Does Grandma Remember Me? by Evta Sherman, illustrated by Chayla Bolden
M.C. Plays Hide & Seek by Eva Grayzel
Voyage To Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
Lucas Takes His Food Allergies to Daycare by Megan Herr, illustrated by Tasneem Amiruddin
Buckle Up: A Children's Imaginary Journey about Self-Control by Stephanie Scott, illustrated by Olga Barinova
Daniel's Dreams: Monster Mountain by Leanne Brown, illustrated by Yogesh Mahajan
Illustrations/Photography/Artwork
ABC Questions by Christine Cruz, illustrated by Jason Buhagiar
Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
Jaya's Magic Wheelchair by Marlene Bryenton, illustrated by Leanne Bowlan
Night, Night Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Please Don't Tell Cooper He's a Dog by Michelle Lander Feinberg, illustrated by Anna Mosca
Something's Eating the Garden by Pam Fries
Little Jewel's Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
Adventures with Divot & Swish in Costa Rica by Beth Brown, PhD, illustrated by Charlotte Strickland
Jump the Moon by Kathy Simmers, illustrated by Marjorie Van Heerden
Peny's Purse by Natalie Elliott, illustrated by Naomi Davis
Quallo Zuto by Terry Jackson, illustrated by Jason Fowler
Making a Difference
Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse by Sherrill Joseph
The Kindness Cross by Regan Ledet Kliebert, illustrated by Dawn Folse
The Pirate Shrew by Stuart Harris, illustrated by Baz Mac
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge (Children's Edition - Narrated with Christmas Carols) by Norman Whaler
The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed by Alayne Kay Christian, illustrated by Polina Gortman
There are Elephants in My Apartment! by Dr. S.D. Brooks
Young Kap by Kingsley Osei, illustrated by Elaine Davis
The Fearless One by Anna Svetchnikov
TJ and his Wheelable Chair by Amanda Kehoe
Sweet Rosa by Kingsley Osei, illustrated by David Asimeng
The Adventures of TJ and His Wheelable Chair by Amanda Kehoe
The Big Adventures of a Little Tree by Nadja Springer, illustrated by Tilia Rand-Bell
School Life
Evie's Field Day: More than One Way to Win by Claire Noland, illustrated by Alicia Teba
Harold Gets an F by Calvin Reynolds
Metal Like Me by D. W. Saur, illustrated by Danielle Green
Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
The Pirate Shrew by Stuart Harris, illustrated by Baz Mac
It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat by Neil Ballard, illustrated by Steven Nosov
Gino and The Monster Bully by Ashley Nevison, illustrated by Ashley and Jonathan Nevison
I Don't Want to go to Preschool, The Fairy Queen calls... by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune, illustrated by Pieter Els
The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner, illustrated by Sam Shearon
The Little Alligator With Orange Feet by Chentell Merriman
Nala's Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall by Despena Zouzas, illustrated by Maria Katinas
Neville and the Adventure to Cricket Creek by Juliana Houston, illustrated by Karsen Andrews
Emma Kate and the Show and Tell Day by Melissa Balderas, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
The Giraffe Who Found Its Spots by Adisan Books
Lucas Takes His Food Allergies to Daycare by Megan Herr, illustrated by Tasneem Amiruddin
Spirituality/Religion
The Shepherd's Story by Jimmy Dunne, illustrated by Ivan Kravets
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge (Children's Edition - Narrated with Christmas Carols) by Norman Whaler
I'm An Earth Angel by Erin Hourahan, illustrated by Maria Boutin
The Christmas Color by Tori Higa
Einstein's Compass: A YA Time Traveler Adventure by Grace Blair and Laren Bright
LOVE by Casey Rislov, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis
