Have you won a Purple Dragonfly or Royal Dragonfly Book Award? Has your book earned a Story Monsters Approved designation? Celebrate your achievement with our official winners' merchandise!
Read MoreThe winners of the 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced by Story Monsters LLC. Celebrating excellence in children’s literature, this year’s Grand Prize Winner is The Power of Kindness Through the Eyes of Children by Ruth Maille.
Read MoreNow I'm a Bird by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Renia Metallinou
Read MoreGrand Prize Winner: Needing Normal: Freshman Year by Emme Grange
Read MoreBook of the Year Winner: How to Cure a Mine Monster by Brittany Plumeri, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova
Read MoreCHANDLER, AZ (December 2020)—Story Monsters LLC has announced the winners of the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, including Grand Prize Winner Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl, and First Place Drawing Winner Finding Om by Rashmi S. Mismark, MD. The annual Royal Dragonfly Book Award contest is a global competition that honors excellence in all types of literature and book marketing, recognizing a comprehensive list of genres in 71 categories—from Pets to Poetry and LGBT to STEM.
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Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, illustrated by Morgan Huff
Aging/Senior Living
1st Place: A Caregiver's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia Nine Key Principles by Patricia M. McClure-Chessier
2nd Place: Sooner Than Tomorrow: A Mother's Diary About Mental Illness, Family, And Everyday Life by Dede Ranahan
Animals/Pets
1st Place: A Spot In My Heart: Loving a Special Needs Dog by Kelly Artieri
2nd Place: It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
Honorable Mention:
Forever Dogs: Wit and Wisdom from the Great Canine Beyond - Wagging Tails Telling Tales! by Tricia Spencer
Ponies West by Jeffrey Pappas
Please Love Me Like I Love You by Kip Ullrich Fechner, illustrated by Janis Ullrich Dillon
Rose, Everyone needs a friend by Melanie Ann
Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Friends by Susan Marie, illustrated by Kim Ranson and Rebekah Phillips
American Stonehenge by Mike Goldstein, illustrated by Anil Baydir
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure by Patti Carpenter, illustrated by Tracy Hill
Gus Finds His Way Home by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Steph Bucci
Humans In-Training by Brooke Van Sickle, illustrated by Elizabeth Savanella
Jamie's Pet by Ramona Morrow
Luna, The Mare with the Sky Blue Eyes by Dora Dillistone, illustrated by Jonathan Warm Day Coming
Night Night, Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Audiobooks
1st Place: Entanglement: Quantum and Otherwise by John Danenbarger
2nd Place (tie): Chieftain's Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
2nd Place (tie): Lady Killer by Jeff Richards
Best Cover Design
1st Place: Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
2nd Place: A Grand Madness, U2 Twenty Years After by Dianne Beeaff
Honorable Mention:
Cheese? Yes, Please! by D.A. Jennings, illustrated by Victoria Jennings
A Firefly Tale by Janet Toonen
Jet & Scoot Take Manhattan by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
Best Interior Design
1st Place: Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
2nd Place: Maxzyne and the Old Horse Theatre by Caroline Lee, illustrated by Rebecca Robinson
Honorable Mention:
The Very Bad Thing by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Melissa Salvarani
Best Illustrations/Photography
1st Place: Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, illustrated by Morgan Huff
2nd Place (tie): Ethan's Healthy Mind Express: A Children's First Mental Health Primer by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
2nd Place (tie): The Last Christmas Tree by Deborah Hoffman, illustrated by Robert Sauber
Honorable Mention:
Witness Chair: A Memoir of Art, Marriage, and Loss by Sherry Horton
Cheese? Yes, Please! by D.A. Jennings, illustrated by Victoria Jennings
Where All the Little Things Live by Ian Tadashi Moore
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure by Patti Carpenter, illustrated by Tracy Hill
Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
1st Place: Living among the Dead by Adena Astrowsky
2nd Place (tie): Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy by Nicole Seitz and Jonathan Haupt
2nd Place (tie): Witness Chair: A Memoir of Art, Marriage, and Loss by Sherry Horton
Honorable Mention:
Anything But Simple: My Life as a Mennonite by Lucinda Kinsinger
Even Broken-Winged Divas Can Fly by Jennifer Kuhns
Sooner Than Tomorrow: A Mother's Diary About Mental Illness, Family, And Everyday Life by Dede Ranahan
What Is Love by Pauli Rose Libsohn
Close Enough to Perfect by Christine Noyes
Ponies West by Jeff Pappas
You Cannot Cage the Wolf: A Mother Struggles with the Suicide of her Soldier Son by Cynthia Crosson
I Want to Talk: Growing Up in Lunenburg, Vermont 1920-1940 by Sylvia Worthley and Sherry Horton
Single and Sixty: A Reflective and Sometimes Humorous Journey of One Woman's Quest to Deal with Divorce Later in Life by Janie Jurkovich
Book Flyer
1st Place: Maxzyne and the Old Horse Theatre by Caroline Lee, illustrated by Rebecca Robinson
Book Trailer
1st Place: Poisoned Jungle by James Ballard
2nd Place (tie): Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday by Alysson Foti Bourque, illustrated by Chiara Civati
2nd Place (tie): Elijah Lovejoy's Fight for Freedom by Jennifer Phillips, illustrated by Roberta Morris
Honorable Mention:
Chieftain's Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Finding Her Friends: Butterfly Princess Book 2 Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Imagine God by Rick Pribell
Lucky Cat and the Gods of War by Wendelin Gray
Lucky Cat and the Kaiju Horde by Wendelin Gray
Somnium by Kristy Kamin and Israel Kamin
Bookmark
1st Place: Jet & Scoot Take Manhattan by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
Business & Finance
1st Place: Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage by Laura Huang
2nd Place: Anti-Sell: Marketing, Lead Generation & Networking Tips for Freelancers Who Hate Sales by Steve Morgan
Honorable Mention:
Lessons From The Len Master by Ron Zayas
Chapter Books
1st Place: Mortimer and Me by Kathie McMahon, illustrated by Tom Tate
2nd Place: Flower Power by Judy Lindquist
Honorable Mention:
Where All the Little Things Live by Ian Tadashi Moore
American Stonehenge by Mike Goldstein, illustrated by Anil Baydir
Library of Mystory by Heroald Chern, illustrated by Muhammad Firman Bin Osman
Dear Ms. Rona by Kierra Harris
Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment by Sarah Giles
Jon and the toymakers of Toymakerville by Arthur C. Morton
Chika's Mysterious Phone by Hugh Pittman, illustrated by Alexey Kudravtsev
Children’s Activity Books
1st Place (tie): Fun from A to Z: Coloring, Drawing, and Tracing Workbook by Joyce Evans
1st Place (tie): Fun from A to Z: Preschool Educational Workbook by Joyce Evans
2nd Place: Thomas the Turkey by Lindsay Ann Fink
Honorable Mention:
Arrows: A Book of Arrow Puzzles by Kevin Brougher
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by KJ Kalpart
Children’s Poetry Books
1st Place: The Poetical Institute's Peculiar Powers of Vegetables & Fruits by Sharada Keats, illustrated by JiaJia Hamner
2nd Place: Finding Her Friends: Butterfly Princess Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Honorable Mention:
The Search for Sir Dale's Lost Top Hat by Ryan Shaw, illustrated by Saarah Saghir
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: Dream It and Do It by Holly Sharp
2nd Place: Claire, Wading Into the Danube By Night by Jeffrey Condran
Honorable Mention:
More Fairy Tales for Life by Linda Champion
Tales From Bombast's Bookshelf by Steve Reedy, illustrated by Tom Fee
The Mermaids Melt at Dawn by Grendolyn Peach Soleil
Short & Virtuous Bed-Time Stories for Children by Judie C. Nance, illustrated by Kirby Ross
Everyday Icing, Layer One by Shawna Robinson
Comic Books
Honorable Mention: Awesome Team vs. CoronaVera by Anna Svetchnikov
Cultural Diversity
1st Place: Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, illustrated by Morgan Huff
2nd Place: Mei Ling in China City by Icy Smith, illustrated by Gayle Garner Roski
Honorable Mention:
Animal Spirits in the New Millennium by David Di Paolo, illustrated by Dace Kidd
Jon and the toymakers of Toymakerville by Arthur C. Morton
Educational
1st Place (tie): Designed to Learn: Using Design Thinking to Bring Purpose and Passion to the Classroom by Lindsay Portnoy
1st Place (tie): Emma Kate and The Show and Tell Day by Melissa Balderas, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
1st Place (tie): Health And Safety For You And Me by Rick Grant, illustrated by Anabel Alfonso
1st Place (tie): Keep it Real with PBL, Secondary by Jennifer Pieratt
2nd Place (tie): A Caregiver's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia Nine Key Principles by Patricia M. McClure-Chessier
2nd Place (tie): Ethan's Healthy Mind Express: A Children's First Mental Health Primer by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
Honorable Mention:
The DragonSlayers Club by Nita Brady, illustrated by Spencer White
Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks
Fiction: Novel
1st Place (tie): A New York Yankee on Stinking Creek by Carol McClain, illustrated by Carol Fiorillo
1st Place (tie): Entanglement: Quantum and Otherwise by John Danenbarger
2nd Place: Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman
Honorable Mention:
Payback: Tales of Love, Hate and Revenge by Steve Bassett
Fine Art/Photography
1st Place: I Want to Talk: Growing Up in Lunenburg, Vermont 1920-1940 by Sylvia Worthley and Sherry Horton
Food-Related
1st Place: The Perfect Persimmon: History, Recipes, and More by Michelle Medlock Adams
General
1st Place: Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief by Susan Casey
2nd Place: A Year of Tranquility: Daily Inspiration for a Peaceful Existence by Pamela Cannalte
Honorable Mention:
Punny Jokes To Tell Your Peeps (Book 5) by Lisa Ayotte
Graphic Novel
1st Place: Chieftain's Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Green Books/Environmental
1st Place: Flash and Fancy More Otter Adventures on the Waccamaw River: Saving the River by Christine Thomas Doran and Tom Doran, illustrated by Nancy Van Buren
2nd Place (tie): Dear Humans... A cloud pleading for humanity's attention on climate change by Arjan Batth, illustrated by Alyssa White
2nd Place (tie): Flash and Fancy An Otter Adventure on the Waccamaw River by Christine Thomas Doran and Tom Doran, illustrated by Nancy Van Buren
Honorable Mention:
Butterfly Grandma: Black Swallowtail! by Mary Ann Falter, illustrated by Emma, Genevieve, and Dean Falter
Historical Fiction
1st Place (tie): Einstein's Compass a YA Time Traveler Adventure by Grace Blair and Laren Bright
1st Place (tie): Poisoned Jungle by James Ballard
2nd Place (tie): Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets by Sherrill Joseph
2nd Place (tie): Caintuck Lies Within My Soul: The Jemima Boone Story by C.M. Huddleston
Honorable Mention:
Best Beloved by Robert Bissell
History Nonfiction
1st Place: The Little Breadwinner by Lucia Mann, illustrated by Matthew Greenblatt
2nd Place: I Want to Talk: Growing Up in Lunenburg, Vermont 1920-1940 by Sylvia Worthley and Sherry Horton
Honorable Mention:
Liberty-Loving Lafayette: How "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman" Helped Win Our Independence by Dorothea Jensen
Holiday
1st Place: The Last Christmas Tree by Deborah Hoffman, illustrated by Robert Sauber
2nd Place: Santa and the Cotton Tree by Diane Campbell Green, illustrated by Linda E. Jones
Health, Diet, Nutrition
1st Place: Health And Safety For You And Me by Rick Grant, illustrated by Anabel Alfonso
2nd Place: A Caregiver's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia Nine Key Principles by Patricia M. McClure-Chessier
Honorable Mention:
Amazing Hands by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Melissa Salvarani
Mindful Beauty, Holistic Habits To Feel And Look Your Best by Dr. Debbie Palmer and Valerie Latona
How-To
1st Place: Mindful Beauty, Holistic Habits To Feel And Look Your Best by Dr. Debbie Palmer and Valerie Latona
2nd Place: A Caregiver's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia Nine Key Principles by Patricia M. McClure-Chessier
Humor
1st Place: Punny Jokes To Tell Your Peeps! (Book 4) by Lisa Ayotte
2nd Place: Night Night, Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Honorable Mention:
Big Bad Reunion by Jacob Gibson and Dixie Phillips, illustrated by K.C. Snider
Rosie the Pink Dragon Meets Abby and Maddie by Karen Magnan, illustrated by Kat Black
Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman
Letters, Journals, Diaries
1st Place: A Grand Madness, U2 Twenty Years After by Dianne Beeaff
2nd Place: Messages of Love Remembered by Pauli Rose Libsohn
LGBT
1st Place: Wicked Ninnish by Michael Scott Curnes
2nd Place: Freeda the Frog and the Two Mommas Next Door by Nadine Haruni, illustrated by Tina Modugno
Honorable Mention:
Anyone's Son: Poems by David Meischen
Farm Boy, City Girl: From Gene to Miss Gina by John 'Gene' E. Dawson
Middle Grade Fiction
1st Place: Spirit of the Woods: The Story of a Young Woman's Encounter with Bigfoot by James Alan Ross
2nd Place: The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Honorable Mention:
Maxzyne and the Old Horse Theatre by Caroline Lee, illustrated by Rebecca Robinson
The Little House Who Didn’t Lose Hope, 2nd Edition by Nita Brady, illustrated by Ruth McKinsey
Goodbye Tchaikovsky by Michael Thal
The Adventures of Willow & Oliver by Rain Story, illustrated by Jessica Bernard
Cinderella: A Love Story by Gina LoBiondo, illustrated by Donna Sterpe
Warming Up by Joan Verlezza
The Proto Project by Bryan R. Johnson
A Butterfly Universe by Vanessa Chen, illustrated by Sarah Laroche
Military
1st Place: Poisoned Jungle by James Ballard
Music/Movies/TV
1st Place: The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Mystery
1st Place: Entanglement: Quantum and Otherwise by John Danenbarger
2nd Place: Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets by Sherrill Joseph
New Author: Fiction
1st Place (tie): Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
1st Place (tie): Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, illustrated by Morgan Huff
1st Place (tie): Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
2nd Place (tie): It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
2nd Place (tie): Night Night, Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
Honorable Mention:
Entanglement: Quantum and Otherwise by John Danenbarger
Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman
Fearless Felicia by Angela Hanimyan, illustrated by Abira Das
A Young Person's Field Guide to Finding Lost Shipwrecks by Laurie Anne Zaleski
Scottie on the Space Station by Kaela Green and Shannon E. Green
I Deserve More by Anna Svetchnikov
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure by Patti Carpenter, illustrated by Tracy Hill
Tru Untrue by Rachelle Jones Smith
A Butterfly Universe by Vanessa Chen, illustrated by Sarah Laroche
The Search for Sir Dale's Lost Top Hat by Ryan Shaw, illustrated by Saarah Saghir
New Author: Nonfiction
1st Place: Witness Chair: A Memoir of Art, Marriage, and Loss by Sherry Horton
2nd Place: First Degree Rage: The True Story of 'The Assassin,' An Obsession, and Murder by Paula May
Honorable Mention:
Anti-Sell: Marketing, Lead Generation & Networking Tips for Freelancers Who Hate Sales by Steve Morgan
Other Nonfiction
1st Place: Silhouettes-Literary Passageways by Mitzi Libsohn and Pauli Rose Libsohn
2nd Place: Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks
Parenting
1st Place: I Don't Want to go to Preschool, The Fairy Queen calls... by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
2nd Place: From Your First Heartbeat by Tara Bushby
Honorable Mention:
Sharing: Teaching Children How to Be Polite, Caring, and Kind by J.S. Jen and Penny B. Jen, illustrated by CyAn Platas
Performing Arts
1st Place: Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
2nd Place: The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place (tie): Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
1st Place (tie): Home by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Junjae Yu
1st Place (tie): I Love You Bigger Than the Sky by Michelle Medlock Adams, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
1st Place (tie): Little Cat Lost by Judy Bergman Hochberg
1st Place (tie): Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck by Alison Paul Klakowicz, illustrated by Anthony Santos
1st Place (tie): The Rabbit and the Turtle by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jeongteak Oh
1st Place (tie): Toot Fairy by Brian Donnelly, illustrated by Jochem Van Gool
1st Place (tie): Who Is It? by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jihyoung Kim
1st Place (tie): You'll Be Okay by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Minha Kim
1st Place (tie): To Baby, From Daddy by Steve Nguyen
2nd place (tie): Esther Eagle Can't Soar by PG Shriver
2nd place (tie): Night Night, Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
2nd place (tie): Please Love Me Like I Love You by Kip Ullrich Fechner, illustrated by Janis Ullrich Dillon
2nd place (tie): The Gravy Boat Birdfeeder by Kris Cass
Honorable Mention:
Goodnight Sweet Bear by Michelle Milne
Happy Love Sprinkles by Maria DiCostanzo and Kim Messina, illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt
I'm Not Sleepy by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jihye Jang
When Walt Disney Was Young by Jonathan Keebler, illustrated by Valerie Valdivia
Who's Tickling Me? by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Heeru Son
My Show Time by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Migyu Kim
Poof! by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Eunsuk Jeong
What Does My Dog Jack Do At Night? by Adam Mock, illustrated by Segundo Garcia
When You Dream of Chocolate Cake by Tianna Gawlak, illustrated by Natalie Lundeen
Are You Okay, Kitty? by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Sebstien Braun
Brush Up. by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Heekyung Park
Sunny & Moony by Melissa Nackovski, illustrated by Denise Turu
The Tickle Squid by Amy Oettle, illustrated by Delphine Pagès
Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug by Jill Rosensweig
Boom! Boom! by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Eunsil Jeong
I Don't Want to go to Preschool, The Fairy Queen calls... by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
My Laundry Basket Adventures by Jill Yamaner, illustrated by Heather McCarthy
Yes, I can by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Youngran Im
Evie's Field Day: More Than One Way To Win by Claire Noland, illustrated by Alicia Teba
The City Mouse and the Country Mouse by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Sujeong Park
The Elves and the Shoemaker by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Yoonju Kang
The Lion and the Mouse by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jongkyun Lee Kim
The Three Little Pigs by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Eunji An
Stone Soup by Victoria Holder, illustrated by HeeRoo Son
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
Fearless Felicia by Angela Hanimyan, illustrated by Abira Das
Humans In-Training by Brooke Van Sickle, illustrated by Elizabeth Savanella
The Nevergreen Tree by Robert DiDonato
Good Night Apollo: A Story About Kindness by Anna Svetchnikov
I Want a Baby Panda by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jinhwa Kim
The Ant and the Grasshopper by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Suji Park
The Bobbling's Ocean Adventure by Inger Brown
The Sun and the Wind by Victoria Holder, illustrated by Eunsook Jeong
When Harry Houdini Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jeongtaek Oh
Happy Holidays, Grandma! by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jinhwa Kim
Hatch! by Cassie Hoyt, illustrated by Amanda Crawford Brown
Mommy I'm Busy by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jihyung Kim
It's Mine by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Carrey Shin
Jet & Scoot Take Manhattan by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
No! No! I Won't Go! by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jeonghae Seo
The Giant Turnip by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Yoonwoo Lee
The Nightingale by Victoria Holder by Junjae Yoo
Thomas the Turkey by Lindsay Ann Fink
Where Do the Bugs Go When it Rains? by Laural Farabaugh
The Bear and the Two Travelers by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Heejae Yun
From Your First Heartbeat by Tara Bushby
Cassie Pup's Favorite Ladybug and Snake Stories (Children's Rhymes For Ages 3-8) by Sheri Poe-Pape, illustrated by Harry Aveira
The Diving Machine by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Hyeyoung Lee
Chicken Little by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Hyejin Won
Yes, You Do! by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Heekyung Park
Rose, Everyone needs a friend by Melanie Ann
The Donkey and the Merchant by Victoria Holder
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Kyungho Jung
My Dad Took Me To Outer Space by Regina Tranfa
Grandman Dean Goes Big Shopping by Warren Martin, illustrated by Star Huddleston
The King's New Clothes by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Gabgyu Lee
Sharing: Teaching Children How to Be Polite, Caring, and Kind by J.S. Jen and Penny B. Jen, illustrated by CyAn Platas
Colby the Curious Calf by Pamela Cannalte, illustrated by Steven Beutler
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place (tie): A Firefly Tale by Janet Toonen
1st Place (tie): Art from the Heart: The Ricky Trione Story by Karyn Tunks, illustrated by Nidhom Nidhom
1st Place (tie): Emma Kate and The Show and Tell Day by Melissa Balderas, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
1st Place (tie): I'm Pink! So What? by E.H. Hong
1st Place (tie): Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Friends by Susan Marie, illustrated by Kim Ranson and Rebekah Phillips
1st Place (tie): The Christmas That Almost Never Was by Stanley Wiklinski, illustrated by Gary A. Lippincott
1st Place (tie): Toot Fairy by Brian Donnelly, illustrated by Jochem Van Gool
1st Place (tie): When Leonardo da Vinci Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Gabgyu Lee
1st Place (tie): When Mark Twain Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Wanjin Kim
1st Place (tie): When Neil Armstrong Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom
1st Place (tie): Night Night, Norman by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron
1st Place (tie): Wizard and the Lizard by Katie Reed, illustrated by Jenna Wing-Hu
1st Place (tie): Wizard and the Lizard: Wacky Weather by Katie Reed, illustrated by Jenna Wing-Hu
1st Place (tie): The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache by Lori Orlinsky, illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
1st Place (tie): Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday by Alysson Foti Bourque, illustrated by Chiara Civati
2nd Place (tie): When Phillis Wheatley Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Eunae Jo
2nd Place (tie): Hope and Freckles: Fleeing to a Better Forest by Bill Kiley, illustrated by Mary Manning
2nd Place (tie): When Louis Armstrong Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Hyojoo Kim
Honorable Mention:
Ethan's Healthy Mind Express: A Children's First Mental Health Primer by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
Happy Love Sprinkles by Maria DiCostanzo and Kim Messina, illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt
If Stones Could Tell (Se I Sassi Potessero Parlare) by Amy Ann Weideman, illustrated by Daniela Pareschi
Little Moyo by Sylvia Medina, illustrated by Morgan Spicer
The Pirate Princess by Alva Sachs, illustrated by Patricia Krebs
When Milton Hershey Was Young by Jonathan Keebler, illustrated by Heeja Yoon
Finding Her Friends: Butterfly Princess Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Super Stitches: the superstitious beliefs of my childhood friends by John Griffith, illustrated by Cassie Appleby
Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug by Jill Rosensweig
Charlie Tractor and the Garden by Carrie and Katie Weyler, illustrated by Rachel Novel
Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
Come Back O Tiger! by Bhikshuni Jin Rou, illustrated by Christy Whitworth
Dear Humans... A cloud pleading for humanity's attention on climate change by Arjan Batth, illustrated by Alyssa White
Evie's Field Day: More Than One Way To Win by Claire Noland, illustrated by Alicia Teba
I Looked To The Moon by Heidi Jo Thweatt, illustrated by Dayna Elefant
When Isaac Newton Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Yoonju Kim
When Jimi Hendrix Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Seonung Baek
Crystal’s Rainbow by Susan Perz
When Nikola Tesla Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Alice Han
Ghana: A Place I Call Home by Monica Habia, illustrated by Amakai Quaye
Scottie on the Space Station by Kaela Green and Shannon E. Green
Snow-Covered Peaks What Are Bodhisattvas Like? by Bhikshuni Jin Rou, illustrated by Shramanerika Gwo He
The Aria in Me by Kali Bate
Peny's Purse by Natalie Elliott, illustrated by Naomi Davis
When Godtfred Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Suki Seo
Bugging a Bug by JC Sykes, illustrated by Navi Robins
Little Katie Explores the Coral Reefs by Carmela Dutra
Cheese? Yes, Please! by D.A. Jennings, illustrated by Victoria Jennings
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure by Patti Carpenter, illustrated by Tracy Hill
Can You Imagine What Would Happen If.… by Pamela Cannalte, illustrated by Steven Beutler
It Just Blooms by Deanna Chesley, illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo
The Stone Maker by Nancy Babicz
When Grace Hopper Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Sungyong Kim
Esie Explores Dangerous Germs by S. Kitanovic
The Tooth Fairy and the Baby Elf by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
When Leonard Bernstein Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Jinhwa Kim
Little Ant & the Epic Battle by Ilene Dudek
When Steve Jobs Was Young by Victoria Holder and Minwoo Song, illustrated by Eunsook Jeong
Change Your Stinkin' Thinkin' by Analynn Sardella, illustrated by Daniela Torres
I Deserve More! by Anna Svetchnikov
Honeycake: Counting All My Blessings by Medea Kalantar
My Lil' First School by Toby A. Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Rosie the Pink Dragon Meets Abby and Maddie by Karen Magnan, illustrated by Kat Black
Sweet Rosa by Kingsley Osei, illustrated by David Asimeng
Born In My Heart by Charlotte Coles and Dixie Phillips
The Fox Family Adventures: A Day at the Beach by Johnni Gorges and Chris Gorges, illustrated by Christopher Cervantes
Noory Tree: We Are Thanful by Ana Vukov
Zina and The Brave by Papandopol Bogdan
Poetry
1st Place: Ghost Dogs by Dion o'Reilly
2nd Place: Immortal Kisses: Confessions Of a Poet by Mitzi Libsohn
Honorable Mention:
Relationship Determines Decision by Peter Hoheisel
Anyone's Son: Poems by David Meischen
Animal Spirits in the New Millennium by David Di Paolo, illustrated by Dace Kidd
Instructions for Temporary Survival by Monica Prince
The Wings of Adversity by Vanessa Caraveo
Took House by Lauren Camp
Politics
1st Place: Problematic President: Dangerous Dictators by Gail Galvan
Relationships
1st Place: Witness Chair: A Memoir of Art, Marriage, and Loss by Sherry Horton
2nd Place: The 5 Core Conversations for Couples by David and Julie Bulitt
Religion/Spirituality
1st Place: Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, illustrated by Morgan Huff
2nd Place: Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful by Del Duduit
Honorable Mention:
When God Says NO: Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present Judith Briles
Flutterfly by Carolyn Cutler Hughes
Good Night, Fireflies by Janet L Christensen, illustrated by Francesca Pesci
Making Crooked Places Straight by Penelope Kaye
Mindful Beauty, Holistic Habits To Feel And Look Your Best by Dr. Debbie Palmer and Valerie Latona
Dugout Devotions: Inspirations from MLB's Best by Del Duduit
Uniquely You by Michelle Lazurek
Romance
1st Place: Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley by Kelly Miller
2nd Place: The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place: Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
2nd Place: A Prince's Errand by Dan Zangari and Robert Zangari
Honorable Mention:
The Rite of Abnegation by Mackenzie Flohr
The Rite of Wands by Mackenzie Flohr
Chieftain's Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Transference by Brandon Keaton
Einstein's Compass a YA Time Traveler Adventure by Grace Blair and Laren Bright
American Stonehenge by Mike Goldstein, illustrated by Anil Baydir
Ever Alice by HJ Ramsay
The Cloaked Bear by Ana Yang
Remeon's Crusade by J.W. Garrett
Mhorag, Prophecy of Hope Book 2 by Sarah Kennedy, illustrated by Quinn Berger
Self-Help/Inspirational
1st Place: They Call Me Mom by Michelle Medlock Adams and Bethany Jett
2nd Place (tie): Her Toolbox: Learning to Be a Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power by Isha Uppalapati
2nd Place (tie): Nine Ways to Empower Tweens #LifeSkills by Kathleen Boucher, illustrated by Sara Chadwick-Holmes
Honorable Mention:
A Caregiver's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia Nine Key Principles by Patricia M. McClure-Chessier
Just Get Up And Manifest Your Inner Genius by Isaac Miller
My best friend, Dylan! by Angelica Rodriguez, illustrated by Krystel Ivannie
Live the Life You Have Imagined: Simple Ways to Start Living Your Best Life by Janie Jurkovich
I Can Do It: No More Worry by Anna Svetchnikov and Anthony Svetchnikov
Mindful Beauty, Holistic Habits To Feel And Look Your Best by Dr. Debbie Palmer and Valerie Latona
The 5 Core Conversations for Couples by David and Julie Bulitt
The Very Bad Thing by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Melissa Salvarani
Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks
Special Needs/Disability Awareness
1st Place (tie): Behind the Curtain: Three Days in the Life of a Special Needs Family by Amanda Shepler
1st Place (tie): Valiance by Vanessa Caraveo
2nd Place: Finding Her Friends: Butterfly Princess Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Honorable Mention:
Scottie on the Space Station by Kaela Green and Shannon E. Green
My Hair Went On Vacation by Paula Quinn, illustrated by Chiara Civati
STEM
1st Place: Explore the World of Chemistry: The Ultimate Alphabet Book for Nanoscale Scientists! by Christi Sperber, illustrated by Endi Astiko
2nd Place: Seed Balls by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Melissa Salvarani
Honorable Mention:
Esie Explores Dangerous Germs by S. Kitanovic
Little Katie Goes to the Moon by Carmela Dutra
Travel
1st Place: Yes, The World Is Round, Part II by Donna Hill
2nd Place: The Complete American Pilgrim: Guide to 250 of the most sacred, historic and beautiful religious sites in the United States by Howard Kramer
Honorable Mention:
Travels with Hafa by Nathan Pettijohn
Unpublished Manuscript
Honorable Mention:
My Thousand Treasures by Licia Chenoweth
Finally I Do...Again by Marquelle and Beverly Redmond
Women’s Interests
1st Place: Her Toolbox: Learning to Be a Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power by Isha Uppalapati
2nd Place: I Want to Talk: Growing Up in Lunenburg, Vermont 1920-1940 by Sylvia Worthley and Sherry Horton
Writing/Publishing
1st Place: Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book by Scott Lorenz
Young Adult Fiction
1st Place (tie): Everything All At Once (Book 1 in the CHORDUROYS AND TOO MANY BOYS™ series) by Ivy Cayden
1st Place (tie): Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
1st Place (tie): Geese are Never Swans by Kobe Bryant and Eva Clark
2nd Place: Einstein's Compass a YA Time Traveler Adventure by Grace Blair and Laren Bright
Honorable Mention:
Chieftain's Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
The Dreamer's Stage by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
I Know When You're Going To Die by Michael J Bowler
Ever Alice by HJ Ramsay
The Good Life by Thomas Corrigan
The Flowers of Peggotty Beach by Kenneth Spears
Young Adult Nonfiction
1st Place: Elijah Lovejoy's Fight for Freedom by Jennifer Phillips, illustrated by Roberta Morris
2nd Place: A Young Person's Field Guide to Finding Lost Shipwrecks by Laurie Anne Zaleski
Honorable Mention:
Liberty-Loving Lafayette: How "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman" Helped Win Our Independence by Dorothea Jensen
Youth Author Fiction
1st Place: The Aria in Me by Kali Bate
2nd Place: Good Night Apollo: A Story About Hesitation by Anna Svetchnikov
Honorable Mention:
The Cloaked Bear by Ana Yang
Gino and The Monster Bully by Ashley Nevison, illustrated by Ashley Nevison and Jonathan Nevison
Youth Author Nonfiction
1st Place: I Can Do It: No More Worry by Anna Svetchnikov and Anthony Svetchnikov
2nd Place: Her Toolbox: Learning to Be a Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power by Isha Uppalapati
Activity Books - Adults
1st Place: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall ... Where Does My Self-Love Fall? A Success Guide to Replace Toxicity with Love by Nina Norstrom
Activity Books - Children
1st Place: How To Teach Your Adult To: Believe In Magic by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
Animals/Pets
1st Place: Your Pet, Your Pill: 101 Inspirational Stories About How Pets Lead You to a Happy, Healthy and Successful Life by Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller
2nd Place: Bubbly Jock Jack and the Thanksgiving Fallacy by Lori Armstrong, illustrated by Jubayda Sagor
Honorable Mention:
Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Mohammad Shayan
M.J. and The Big Kitchen Window by Vera Harris, illustrated by Tania Ramirez Cuevas
Audiobooks
1st Place: The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson
2nd Place: The Dare: Friends, Family, and Other Eerie Mysteries by Cynthea Liu
Best Cover Design
1st Place: Goodbye, Orchid: To Love Her, He Had to Leave Her by Carol Van Den Hende
2nd Place: Ice Queen by Felicia Farber
Honorable Mention:
Angelic Wars:First Rebellion by Rick Norris, illustrated by Judith Stepan-Norris
Bellerophon by Simon Spence, illustrated by Colm Lawton
Pretty Purple Piggy Bank by Ron Ryan, illustrated by Kseniia Dohlopolova
More Than Just a Dot by Nirdesha Munasinghe
Best Illustrations
1st Place: Just a Stage by Corey Majeau
2nd Place: Don't Eat Bees! by Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
1st Place: HomoAmerican - The Secret Society by Michael Dane
2nd Place: A Chemical Engineer in the Palm Oil Milling Industry by Wai Onn Hong
Children’s Poetry
1st Place: But The Sparrow Stayed by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Yony Madera
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: Cycles of Norse Mythology: Tales of the AEsir Gods by Glenn Searfoss
2nd Place: The Pine Barrens' Devil by Leigh Paynter, illustrated by Tyler Hawx
Cultural Diversity
1st Place: Little Polyglot Adventures (Vol 2): A Wild Day at the Zoo by Victor D.O. Santos, illustrated by Eszter Miklós
Green Books/Environmental
1st Place: The Tap-Dancing Pigeon Of Covent Garden by Serena Hassan, illustrated by Jon Davis
Fiction: Novel
1st Place: Blue Cloak Warrior by Miguel Lopez de Leon
2nd Place (tie): Drive: A NASCAR Novel by Susan Strecker
2nd Place (tie): Miranda and the D-Day Caper by Shelly Frome
Honorable Mention
The Curist by Julie Donofrio and Vincent Calfapietra
Angelic Wars:First Rebellion by Rick Norris, illustrated by Judith Stepan-Norris
Food-Related
1st Place: FoodWISE: A Whole Systems Guide to Sustainable and Delicious Food Choices by Gigi Berardi
General
1st Place: Blue Cloak Warrior by Miguel Lopez de Leon
2nd Place: Dwarf Story by W.W. Marplot
Health/Diet/Nutrition
1st Place: FoodWISE: A Whole Systems Guide to Sustainable and Delicious Food Choices by Gigi Berardi
Historical Fiction
1st Place: Imelda's Secret by Liza Gino
2nd Place: Terribilita by Ben Wyckoff Shore
Holiday
1st Place: 30 Chicago Christmases: A Personal Journey Recounting Thirty Holiday Seasons In The Second City by Michael McCalley
Humor
1st Place: Bubbly Jock Jack and the Thanksgiving Fallacy by Lori Armstrong, illustrated by Jubayda Sagor
2nd Place: Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Mohammad Shayan
Letters/Journals/Diaries
1st Place: Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island by Melanie Choukas-Bradley
2nd Place: 30 Chicago Christmases: A Personal Journey Recounting Thirty Holiday Seasons In The Second City by Michael McCalley
LGBT
1st Place (tie): Blue Cloak Warrior by Miguel Lopez de Leon
1st Place (tie): HomoAmerican - The Secret Society by Michael Dane
2nd Place: My Choice Not to Choose by D'Lisa Darluz
Honorable Mention:
The Straight Crimes by Matt Juhl
Military
1st Place: Bullet Points by Clarissa Clarke
Mystery
1st Place: Miranda and the D-Day Caper by Shelly Frome
New Author: Fiction
1st Place: Life in the Chastity Zone by Holly Brandon
2nd Place: The Pine Barrens' Devil by Leigh Paynter, illustrated by Tyler Hawx
Honorable Mention:
The Curist by Julie Donofrio and Vincent Calfapietra
Terribilita by Ben Wyckoff Shore
The Tap-Dancing Pigeon Of Covent Garden by Serena Hassan, illustrated by Jon Davis
New Author: Nonfiction
1st Place: HomoAmerican - The Secret Society by Michael Dane
2nd Place: Born Haunted: My Lifelong Encounters With The Paranormal by Nate Michael
Parenting
1st Place: From Homework HELL to Help! A Parent's Guide to 75 Solutions to Help Kids Save Time and Stress Less Using Project Management Techniques by Chris Hare
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place: Completely Me by Dr. Justine Green, illustrated by Ana Luisa Silva
2nd Place: Little Polyglot Adventures (Vol 2): A Wild Day at the Zoo by Victor D.O. Santos, illustrated by Eszter Miklós
Honorable Mention:
Just a Stage by Corey Majeau
Frankie the Ferret by Kimberley Paterson
Jumbo Giant Sausages by Julian Hilton
The Elephants Shoes by Charity Yoder
Ellie's First Recess by Kellen Paat
Turn on the Sun by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
Grandman Dean Goes Big Shopping by Warren Martin, illustrated by Star Huddleston
Evelyn and the Chickens by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
The Boy and the Sunflower by Great Aunt Debbie, illustrated by Heather La Kor
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place: Grandpa Kevin's...The Three Little Pigs by Kevin Brougher, illustrated by Jessica Warrick
2nd Place: Can You Hear Me, Daddy? by Y.Y. Chan, illustrated by Pearly L.
Honorable Mention:
Ella Says: I'm Not Afraid of the Dark! by Anu Misa
Escape to Fairy Kingdom by Cazzy Zahursky
Little Red and the Crocodile (Fractured Fairytale Book 1) by Suzan Johnson, illustrated by Ayessa C.
Little Sphinx: No Time for the Sillies by Rachelle Jones Smith, illustrated by Thai Son
But The Sparrow Stayed by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Yony Madera
Theodore and The Bear from London by Cory Q Tan
Bellerophon by Simon Spence, illustrated by Colm Lawton
Maxine's Hands by Dr. Lynda Mubarak, illustrated by Adua Hernandez
The Tap-Dancing Pigeon Of Covent Garden by Serena Hassan, illustrated by Jon Davis
Sugarplums and Shooting Stars by Lindsay DeRollo
Teddy Bear Tea by Ellwyn Autumn, illustrated by Tanya Glebova
Don't Eat Bees! by Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Monica and Michelle Travel The World by Vera Harris
Poetry
1st Place: Love Bites by Clarissa Clarke
2nd Place: Atomic Kiss by Brendan Bigney
Politics
1st Place: Lucky Cat and the Gods of War by Wendelin Gray
2nd Place: Lucky Cat and the Kaiju Horde by Wendelin Gray
Honorable Mention:
Lucky Cat and the Snow Maiden's Vengeance by Wendelin Gray
Kumori and the Lucky Cat by Wendelin Gray
Psychology
1st Place: The Irrational Mind: How To Fight Back Against The Hidden Forces That Affect Our Decision Making by Spencer Fraseur
Religion/Spirituality
1st Place: Can You Hear Me, Daddy? by Y.Y. Chan, illustrated by Pearly L.
2nd Place: Imagine God by Rick Pribell
Honorable Mention:
As the World Churns: A Legend Where Reality and Myth Blend by Deepak Shimkhada
The Black Trans Prayer Book by Dane Edidi, illustrated by J Mase III
Romance
1st Place: Life in the Chastity Zone by Holly Brandon
2nd Place: The Straight Crimes by Matt Juhl
Honorable Mention:
Serendipity in Berkeley by Kay C Beerman
Say Goodbye and Goodnight by David Ruggerio
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place: Blue Cloak Warrior by Miguel Lopez de Leon
2nd Place (tie): Project Tau by Jude Austin
2nd Place (tie): Homecoming by Jude Austin
Honorable Mention:
A Suitcase Full of Stars by Gabriel Lea
Dark Days by D. W. Saur
Outbreak (The Dark Days Series Book 1) by Christopher Cole
The Tinker and The Fold: The Problem with Solaris 3 by Scott Gordon and Evan Gordon
Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell
Angelic Wars:First Rebellion by Rick Norris, illustrated by Judith Stepan-Norris
Special Needs/Disability Awareness
1st Place: Goodbye, Orchid: To Love Her, He Had to Leave Her by Carol Van Den Hende
2nd Place: Able Soul: Empowering God's Spirit Within by Lucy Goncalves
Women’s Interests
1st Place: The Hidden Gifts Within the Trauma of Sexual Abuse by Keira Poulsen
Writing/Publishing
1st Place: Amazon Keywords for Books: How to Use Keywords for Better Discovery on Amazon by Dale L. Roberts
Young Adult Fiction
1st Place (tie): Blue Cloak Warrior by Miguel Lopez de Leon
1st Place (tie): Ice Queen by Felicia Farber
2nd Place: Arrows Tipped with Honey by Jean Gill
Honorable Mention:
Dark Days by D. W. Saur
Forget Me Not by Nicole Bea
By the Sea by J. Steven Lamperti
As the World Churns: A Legend Where Reality and Myth Blend by Deepak Shimkhada
Save the Last Dance for Me by Daris Howard
The Beast of Bellevue by Grace Chen
Youth Author Fiction
1st Place: The Tinker and The Fold: The Problem with Solaris 3 by Scott Gordon and Evan Gordon
Youth Author Nonfiction
1st Place: Honing a Champion: My Pandemic Journey From White Belt To Achieving Black Belt by Haon Campbell
CHANDLER, AZ (July, 2020)—Winners of the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, the best in children’s books, have been announced. The fantasy picture book, Get Back in the Book! written by Larry Issa and illustrated by Emma Chadwick, took home this year’s $500 Grand Prize. The book also earned unprecedented perfect scores for First Place designations in five categories: Best Cover Design, Best Illustrations, Best Interior Design, Picture Books 5 & Younger and Picture Books 6 & Older.
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Activity Books
1st Place: This is Me! Your Book of You by Lynne Healy, illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills
2nd Place: READ: A Basic Teaching Tool For Parents by Naejh, illustrated by Natalya Efremova
Honorable Mention:
Gifts of Spirit: Animals and their natural gifts Field Guide by Kimberly Heil
Grandman Dean Goes “Big Shopping” Companion Coloring Book by Warren Martin, illustrated by Star Huddleston
Animals/Pets
1st Place (tie): A Big Change for Daisy by Keri T. Collins, illustrated by Cynthia Baker-Gusman
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the City by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the Country by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the Mountains by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Little Jewel’s Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
1st Place (tie): Love Me Gently: A Kid’s Guide for Man’s Best Friend by Lisa Wiehebrink, illustrated by Eleanor Harbison
1st Place (tie): Uh Oh Kenzo! by Devin Alphin and Erica Doggett Alphin, illustrated by Elena Aiello
2nd Place: Goldy the Puppy and the Missing Socks by Kim Ann, illustrated by Nejla Shojaie
Honorable Mention:
Luna, The Mare with the Sky Blue Eyes by Dora Dillistone, illustrated by Jonathan Warm Day Coming Gomez
Dragonflies: Water Angels and Brilliant Bioindicators by Marta Magellan, illustrated by Mauro Magellan
Gracie (Spanish/English): A bilingual adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains by Kathryn Leslie, illustrated by Anita Morra
Most Wanted! The Ball Bandit by Nancy Binger
The Legend of Santa’s Sleighbells by Marianne Andresen Magin
Weaver the Diabetic-Alert Retriever by Billie Holladay Skelley, illustrated by James Paul Skelley
Dreams of Zugunruhe by Michael Kinsey, Ph.D., illustrated by Ros Webb
The Day My Kids Stayed Home: Explaining COVID-19 and the Corona Virus to Your Kids by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Adam Riong
Please Love Me Like I Love You by Kip Fechner, illustrated by Janis Dillon
ROXI the Rescue Dog Helps the Elephants by Carolyn Drew, illustrated by Debi Pirie
Princess Nutterbutter Learns to Share by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Pam Sharp
Behind the Secret Garden Door by Sandie Leigh
Arts/Music
1st Place: Jazz Fly 3: The Caribbean Sea by Matthew Gollub, illustrated by Karen Hanke
2nd Place: The Studio Tree by Janet Tlachac-Toonen
Honorable Mention:
Bailey Brings Her Friends Together with Music by Kali Bate
Best Cover Design
1st Place: Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
2nd Place: A Flock of Fun by Raven Howell, illustrated by David Barrow
Honorable Mention:
Castle in Danger by Karen Rautenberg, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova
Mia: Ripples in the Water by Debbie Jennings, illustrated by Victoria Huling
The Enchanters’ Child by Navya Sarikonda
Solar Coaster by Yi Ou
Doubloon! by Bruce Rougraff, illustrated by Rebecca and Olivia Rougraff
Anna’s Pink and Purple Glasses by Marlene Bryenton, illustrated by Leanne Bowlan
Jazzy And Kettle by Rick Quinn, illustrated by Sefira Lightstone
The Adventures of Abigail Rosebud & A Frog Named Stink! by Andrea Robertson, illustrated by Trevor Lucas
Beignets for Breakfast by Jeanette Weiland, illustrated by Allison Lemon
Best Illustrations
1st Place (tie): Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the City by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the Country by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Georgette’s Day in the Mountains by Monica McGue, illustrated by Toby Cowan
1st Place (tie): Willoughby and the Lumpy Bumpy Cake by Pam Halter, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
2nd Place (tie): Moonglow by Peggy Dickerson, illustrated by Cynthia Wells
2nd Place (tie): The ABC of DOG: Essential Manners for Good Dogs on a Friendly Planet by Kathleen Petitjean
2nd Place (tie): Where is My Teacher by Dalal Al - Romaihi
Honorable Mention:
The WHY-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry, illustrated by Sukarno Achmad
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
The Monster in My Basement by Dave Preston, illustrated by Heather Lynn Harris
Beignets for Breakfast by Jeanette Weiland, illustrated by Allison Lemon
Otis the Donkeysus by Colleen Stiles
Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, illustrated by Penny Weber
Tex the Explorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Reece’s Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield
Ethan’s Healthy Mind Express by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
Anna’s Pink and Purple Glasses by Marlene Bryenton, illustrated by Leanne Bowlan
Esie Explores Beneficial Bacteria by S. Kitanovic
When Eva Hollers by Brinkley Pound, illustrated by Paula Ingram Kiszla and B. Matthew Kiszla
What’s That Noise? by Dede Stockton, illustrated by Gaspar Sabater
Mikey and the Dragons by Jocko Willink, illustrated by Jon Bozak
The Cliff by Mark Phillips, illustrated by Terri Melia-Hamlin
ZOOVERBS by Will O’Toole
Best Interior Design
1st Place: Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
2nd Place: The WHY-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry, illustrated by Sukarno Achmad
Honorable Mention:
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Anna’s Pink and Purple Glasses by Marlene Bryenton, illustrated by Leanne Bowlan
Esie Explores Beneficial Bacteria by S. Kitanovic
Best Photography
1st Place: Little Jewel’s Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
Biography/Autobiography
1st Place: Growing Up Supremely: The Women of the U.S. Supreme Court by Nichola D. Gutgold and Jessica L. Armstrong, illustrated by Rachel C. Ferguson and Karen D. Armstrong
2nd Place: Hugh Armstrong Robinson: The Story of Flying Lucky 13 by Billie Holladay Skelley, illustrated by Rachel Bowman
Board Books
1st Place: Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend by Nidhi Chanani
2nd Place: Finger Paintin’ by Terry Jackson, illustrated by Jason Fowler
Honorable Mention:
Baby Carrot by Terri Saville-Sewell
Baby Buckeyes by John Biemer, illustrated by Cynthia Meadows
Book Flyer
1st Place: Jet & Scoot: Take Manhattan by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
Book Trailer
1st Place: Why Stop for Tajo? by L.V.S. Baker, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
2nd Place: Blueberry’s Gift by Tenney Mudge, illustrated by Erika Cummings
Honorable Mention:
Squire With Fire: When Sparks Fly by Joseph Cassis
Chapter Books
1st Place: Hex: The Apprentice by Fran Hodgkins, illustrated by Sean O’Neill
2nd Place: Flower Power by Judy Lindquist
Honorable Mention:
Ballerina Detective and the Missing Jeweled Tiara by Karen Rautenberg, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova
Doubloon! by Bruce Rougraff, illustrated by Rebecca and Olivia Rougraff
Tyrone the Terrible: The Chameleon Who Decided He Was an Alligator by Jan Lis
On The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Charity/Making a Difference
1st Place: Código 7: Descifrando el código para una vida épica (Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life by Bryan R. Johnson
2nd Place: Bubble Head by Louma El-Khoury Salloum
Honorable Mention:
Sunny and Malcolm by Cynthia Crosson, illustrated by Carole Williams
Gerome’s Rainbow by Stephanie Logsdon, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
Lead On! by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kari Vick
Blueberry’s Gift by Tenney Mudge, illustrated by Erika Cummings
Just Bunny and the Great Fire Rescue by Jeanne LaSala Taylor, illustrated by Ana Sebastian
ROXI the Rescue Dog Helps the Elephants by Carolyn Drew, illustrated by Debi Pirie
Jared’s Last Carrot by Sara Devine, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
All About Children by Robert Saul, illustrated by Jan Betts
Dynomike: Pay It Forward by Frankie B Rabbit
Samson’s Tail by Mercy Hansen Mize, illustrated by Rachel Novel
Children’s Nonfiction
1st Place (tie): Ivy the Very Determined Dog by Christopher and Maureen Harrington
1st Place (tie): Who’s Hiding in This Book? Meet Ten Famous Authors by Sheila Cordner, illustrated by Daniel Fiore
2nd Place: Luna, The Mare with the Sky Blue Eyes by Dora Dillistone, illustrated by Jonathan Warm Day Coming
Honorable Mention:
Robert Wadlow: The Unique Life of the Boy Who Became the World’s Tallest Man by Jennifer Phillips, illustrated by Roberta Morris
When You Lived in My Belly by Jodi Meltzer Darter, illustrated by Caryn King and Jody King Camarra
Just Bunny and the Great Fire Rescue by Jeanne LaSala Taylor, illustrated by Ana Sebastian
There’s a Ghost in My Root Beer! by Kimberly Garland, illustrated by Chad Thompson
What Makes Me Special! by Elizabeth McKinney, illustrated by Chiara Civati
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to TOMBSTONE ARIZONA by Barbara Ann Mojica, illustrated by Victor Ramon Mojica
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: Código 7: Descifrando el código para una vida épica (Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life by Bryan R. Johnson
2nd Place: Reece’s Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield
Comic Books
1st Place: The Super Awesome Secret Adventures of Billy the Brave: Jungle Mayhem by Christian Canning, illustrated by Edison Goncalves and Len Simon
2nd Place: Family Time “Who Do You Love” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Cultural Diversity
1st Place (tie): Earthwaves by Michael Smith, illustrated by Gayle Garner Roski
1st Place (tie): Why Stop for Tajo? by L.V.S. Baker, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
2nd Place: The Big Buna Bash by Sara Arnold, illustrated by Roberta Malasomma
Honorable Mention:
Voices of Diversity by Vanessa Caraveo
Free To Be Me: self love for all sizes by Lesley Williams-Blackwell, MD, illustrated by Penny Weber
Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali! by Ajanta Chakraborty and Vivek Kumar
Gerome’s Rainbow by Stephanie Logsdon, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
I’m Not A Weed! by Sonja Lange Wendt, illustrated by Manuel Nieto
Enlightened by Judie Nance, illustrated by Rudra Bose
CLI -The Colt by Kling Johnson
Family Time “Who Do You Love” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Shiloh and Dande the Lion by Ciara L. Hill, illustrated by Christian Krabbe
Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend by Nidhi Chanani
Beauty Walks in Nature by Marie Theodore-Pharel, illustrated by Zeal Allen
Fluffy and Fluffier by S.D. Becker
Anita and Grandma’s Dulce de leche/Anita y el dulce de leche de la abuela by Pilar Velez, illustrated by Natalia Jiménez
ITO by Erin Rounds, illustrated by Heather Schmitz
Educational/Instructional
1st Place (tie): Spanish for Kids Set 1 by Germaine Choe, illustrated by Nancy Meyers
1st Place (tie): Spanish for Kids Set 2 by Germaine Choe, illustrated by Nancy Meyers
2nd Place: The Day My Kids Stayed Home: Explaining COVID-19 and the Corona Virus to Your Kids by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Adam Riong
Honorable Mention:
Salute to the Theatre: The 35th Anniversary Journal of Tainan Cultural Center by Cultural Affairs Bureau Tainan City Government
ZOOVERBS by Will O’Toole
Moonglow by Peggy Dickerson, illustrated by Cynthia Wells
READ: A Basic Teaching Tool For Parents by Naejh, illustrated by Natalya Efremova
Bullying: It Hurts by Brenda Koch
Family Matters
1st Place (tie): A Big Change for Daisy by Keri T. Collins, illustrated by Cynthia Baker-Gusman
1st Place (tie): I’ll Lend You My Daddy by Becky King, illustrated by Valerie Valdivia
1st Place (tie): Max’s Divorce Earthquake by Rachel Brace, illustrated by Angela Perrini
1st Place (tie): Super Duper Big Heart: An Adoption Love Story by Dr. P Shiroma, illustrated by Jenkie Audrey
1st Place (tie): When You Lived in My Belly by Jodi Meltzer Darter, illustrated by Caryn King and Jody King Camarra
2nd Place: Fiona: Forever? by Erinn Uher
Honorable Mention:
Sunny and Malcolm by Cynthia Crosson, illustrated by Carole Williams
I Smile for Grandpa by Jaclyn Guenette, illustrated by Kathryn Harrison
Leila: The Wagners’ New Puppy by Naejh, illustrated by Aveliya Design
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Something Lost Something Found by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson, illustrated by Laura Catrinella
Welcome to the World by Joanna Hamilton
A Gift for Laura: A Christmas Story Collection (English/Spanish) by Pilar Velez Alynor Diaz
General
1st Place (tie): The Adventures of Abigail Rosebud & A Frog Named Stink! by Andrea Robertson, illustrated by Trevor Lucas
1st Place (tie): Spring Bloom by Sadia Mir and Summer Al-Jarrah Bateiha
2nd Place: Talitha, the Traveling Skirt by Becky Van Vleet, illustrated by Courtney Smith
Honorable Mention:
Mikey and the Dragons by Jocko Willink, illustrated by Jon Bozak
Gerome’s Rainbow by Stephanie Logsdon, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
Why Stop for Tajo? by L.V.S. Baker, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
Graphic Novel
1st Place: Marvin: Based on The Way I Was by Marvin Hamlisch by Ian David Marsden
2nd Place: Chieftain’s Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Green Books/Environmental
1st Place: The WHY-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry, illustrated by Sukarno Achmad
2nd Place: Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, illustrated by Penny Weber
Honorable Mention:
Winging it! A Monarch Love Story by Bev Davis, illustrated by Elena Stowell
Leila’s Goal by Sarah Woodard
The Little Green Jacket by Jodi Dee, illustrated by Steve Goad
The Little Lost Bee by Sarah Woodard
Growing Pains
1st Place: How to Recycle Your Feelings: a Book about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling your Emotions by Amy Molloy, illustrated by Melissa Mylchreest
2nd Place: The Treacherous Tingling Tanglelow Trial by Greg McGoon, illustrated by Jessa Orr
Honorable Mention:
Uh Oh Kenzo! by Devin Alphin and Erica Doggett Alphin, illustrated by Elena Aiello
A Gift for Laura: A Christmas Story Collection (English/Spanish) by Pilar Velez, illustrated by Alynor Diaz
Home by Christine Reynebeau, illustrated by Ashley Bates
Amir’s Brave Adventure by Carmen Jimenez-Pride, illustrated by Tanja Varcelija
Health
1st Place (tie): How to Recycle Your Feelings: a Book about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling your Emotions by Amy Molloy, illustrated by Melissa Mylchreest
1st Place (tie): I Smile for Grandpa by Jaclyn Guenette, illustrated by Kathryn Harrison
2nd Place: Horace Henway Brushes It Off by Kathleen Arthur
Honorable Mention:
Free To Be Me: self love for all sizes by Lesley Williams-Blackwell, MD, illustrated by Penny Weber
Zephyr the Dragonslayer by Christine Thomas Doran, illustrated by Tanya Garboski
The Day My Kids Stayed Home: Explaining COVID-19 and the Corona Virus to Your Kids by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Adam Riong
Hambuggas And Frozen Peas by Naejh, illustrated by Natalya Kharitonova
Max’s Box: Letting Go of Negative Feelings by Brian Wray, illustrated by Shiloh Penfield
Surgery on Sunday by Kat Harrison, illustrated by Shane Crampton
The Cosmic Carrot: A Journey to Wellness, Clear Vision & Good Nutrition by Dr Robert Grand, illustrated by Ros Webb
My Sister’s Super Skills by Lauren Mosback, MA, LPC, NCC, illustrated by Chiara Savarese
Historical Fiction
1st Place: PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History by M.J. Evans
2nd Place: Two Terrible Days in May: The Rader Farm Massacre by Billie Holladay Skelley, illustrated by James Paul Skelley
Honorable Mention:
Castle in Danger by Karen Rautenberg, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova
Historical Nonfiction
1st Place: The Knock...a collection of childhood memories by Carolyn Watkins, illustrated by Lindsey Erickson
Holiday
1st Place (tie): Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali! by Ajanta Chakraborty and Vivek Kumar
1st Place (tie): Grandma’s Halloween Stories by Joan Tenner, illustrated by Jesus Lopez
2nd Place: The Legend of Santa’s Sleighbells by Marianne Andresen Magin
Honorable Mention:
Anita and Grandma’s Dulce de leche/Anita y el dulce de leche de la abuela by Pilar Velez, illustrated by Natalia Jiménez
Where Do Elves Go on Vacation? by Kim Ann, illustrated by Nejla Shojaie
The Quiet Crazy Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Kelly Breemer
Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat by Regan W.H. Macaulay, illustrated by Alex Zgud
Humor
1st Place: ZOOVERBS by Will O’Toole
2nd Place: Silverwolf Chronicles: The Not-So-Public Library by Ruthann Johnson, illustrated by Lauren and Bethany Johnson
Honorable Mention:
The Adventures of Abigail Rosebud & A Frog Named Stink! by Andrea Robertson, illustrated by Trevor Lucas
Amelia Frump and her Billion-Cajillion Dollar Adventure by Deborah Roppolo
Princess Nutterbutter Learns to Share by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Pam Sharp
Letters, Journals, Diaries
1st Place: Flutter, Bye by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kari Vick
LGBT
1st Place: Truth Trippers by Rochelle Ransom
2nd Place: Eli & Jedi’s Super Sky Adventure by Lerone Landis, illustrated by Wallok Art
Middle Grade Fiction
1st Place (tie): Selah’s Stolen Dream by Susan Count, illustrated by Lori Sandford
1st Place (tie): Crime Busters, Inc.: The Alligator Alibi by Kiki Houser, illustrated by Scarlett Houser
1st Place (tie): The Proto Project by Bryan R. Johnson
2nd Place (tie): Life in the Grand Pause by Frank Saraco
2nd Place (tie): Two Secrets by Sarah Frank
2nd Place (tie): Castle in Danger by Karen Rautenberg, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova
2nd Place (tie): Return to Komodo Island by Margaret Berkhousen
Honorable Mention:
Dragon by Angie Rooker
Loukas and the Game of Chance by Anthony L. Manna, illustrated by Donald Babisch
Unwanted by Mary Sandford
The Visitor from 4-D by Deborah Hunt, illustrated by Adryelle Villamizer
Mia: Ripples in the Water by Debbie Jennings, illustrated by Victoria Huling
Silverwolf Chronicles: The Escape by Ruthann Johnson, illustrated by Lauren and Bethany Johnson
Reece’s Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield
Mrs. Amazing and The Seed by Julie Lavender, illustrated by Katrina Santucci
Squire With Fire: When Sparks Fly by Joseph Cassis
Ballerina Detective and the Missing Jeweled Tiara by Karen Rautenberg, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova
The Whimple Inn by Rachel Woolsey
Captain Hornet by Rachel Woolsey
Mystery
1st Place: Crime Busters, Inc.: The Alligator Alibi by Kiki Houser, illustrated by Scarlett Houser
2nd Place: The Case of the Missing Teeth by Darlinda Jacobs
Outdoor Recreation
1st Place: Gifts of Spirit: Animals and their natural gifts Field Guide by Kimberly Heil
2nd Place: The Tent Mouse and the RV Mouse by Loretta Sponsler, illustrated by Kathrine Gutkovskiy
Honorable Mention:
My Lil’ Big Ocean by Toby Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Desert Catching Twilight by Lindsay Hill
Frog Catching Twilight by Lindsay Hill
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place (tie): A Cup of Loving Kindness by Elaine Bamford, illustrated by David Gnass
1st Place (tie): Feeling Special by Jennifer Kurani, illustrated by Valentina Jaskina
1st Place (tie): Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
1st Place (tie): Gorillas’ Night Out by Faith Goldstein, illustrated by Elizabeth Brawley
1st Place (tie): Jared’s Last Carrot by Sara Devine, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
1st Place (tie): Oliver West! It’s Time to Get Dressed! by Kelly Louise, illustrated by Rebecca Sinclair
1st Place (tie): A Flock of Fun by Raven Howell, illustrated by David Barrow
2nd Place (tie): There’s a Ghost in My Root Beer! by Kimberly Garland, illustrated by Chad Thompson
2nd Place (tie): When the Squirrel Sings by Shana Hollowell, illustrated by Jennifer Finch
2nd Place (tie): Astaire’s Warm Day by Stephen Luk
2nd Place (tie): Brayden’s Magical Pirate Ship Adventure by Anita A. Caruso, illustrated by Randy Jennings
2nd Place (tie): Willoughby and the Lumpy Bumpy Cake by Pam Halter, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
2nd Place (tie): For The Birds: The Audition by Avery C.J. Tucker
Honorable Mention:
Only Daddy’s Dog by Cynthia Crosson, illustrated by Carole Williams
Sea Turtles Circle by Patricia Gleichauf, illustrated by Karen Staszko
The Adventures of Abella and Her Magic Wand by Zane Carson Carruth, illustrated by Surajit Dutta
Ella’s Umbrella Courtney by Shannon Strand, illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury
Jet & Scoot: Take Manhattan by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
Little Jewel’s Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
Pirates Stuck at “C” by Brooke Van Sickle, illustrated by Gabriela Dieppa
Big Al’s Treasure by Christine Noyes
Hiccups... Again? by Dave Ball, illustrated by Design Pickle
Nikki Durant and the Terrible Can’t by David YayGrr, illustrated by Nikki Yeager
A Big Al Bear Hug by Christine Noyes
Most Wanted! The Ball Bandit by Nancy Binger
The Monster in My Basement by Dave Preston, illustrated by Heather Lynn Harris
Look At The Skies Second Edition by Papandopol Bogdan
Beignets for Breakfast by Jeanette Weiland, illustrated by Allison Lemon
Neat Freaks by John Arvai III, illustrated by Adam Walker-Parker
Leilani Keeps Hawaii Beautiful by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Ling Bower
Gracie (Spanish/English): A bilingual adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains by Kathryn Leslie, illustrated by Anita Morra
When Eva Hollers by Brinkley Pound, illustrated by Paula Ingram Kiszla and B. Matthew Kiszla
Electric by Jennifer DeAzevedo, illustrated by Trini Law
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
The Dirt Girl by Jodi Dee, illustrated by Ed Espiatia
Big Al Helps Clean The Park by Christine Noyes
Tex the Explorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
What Is A Birthday? by Vjolca Capri, illustrated by Tina Wijesiri
The Case Of The Missing Cooler by Christine Noyes
Magic Cats: A Ramses and Tut Adventure! by LM Mann, illustrated by Ollie Oliver
The Trekkers’ New Hope by Kevin Poplawski, illustrated by Michael Rausch
What’s That Noise? by Dede Stockton, illustrated by Gaspar Sabater
Finding Color by Andrew Aiton
Mixter Twizzle’s Breakfast by Regan W.H. Macaulay, illustrated by Wei Lu
Grandman Dean Goes “Big Shopping” (Adventures with Pop Pop) by Warren Martin, illustrated by Star Huddleston
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place (tie): Cookie & Milk by Michele McAvoy, illustrated by Jessica Gibson
1st Place (tie): Get Back in the Book! by Larry Issa, illustrated by Emma Chadwick
1st Place (tie): Jazz Fly 3: The Caribbean Sea by Matthew Gollub, illustrated by Karen Hanke
1st Place (tie): Little Jewel’s Remarkable Journey by Susanne Strauss
1st Place (tie): Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps by Gail Skroback Hennessey, illustrated by Steve Cox
1st Place (tie): Something Lost Something Found by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson, illustrated by Laura Catrinella
1st Place (tie): The Story of The Can’t That Could by Joan C. Yingling, illustrated by Ana Sebastian
1st Place (tie): Geraldine and the Most Spectacular Science Project by Sol Regwan, illustrated by Denise Muzzio
2nd Place (tie): Cool Melons - Turn to Frogs! by Matthew Gollub, illustrated by Kazuko Stone
2nd Place (tie): Earthwaves by Michael Smith, illustrated by Gayle Garner Roski
2nd Place (tie): Sea Turtles Circle by Patricia Gleichauf, illustrated by Karen Staszko
2nd Place (tie): Jazzy And Kettle by Rick Quinn, illustrated by Sefira Lightstone
Honorable Mention:
An Elephant’s Advice by Wayne Gerard Trotman, illustrated by Nhat Hao Nguyen
The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache by Lori Orlinsky, illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
Goldy the Puppy and the Missing Socks by Kim Ann, illustrated by Nejla Shojaie
The Little Green Jacket by Jodi Dee, illustrated by Steve Goad
Willoughby and the Lumpy Bumpy Cake by Pam Halter, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Charlie Wants to Play by Alison Mays, illustrated by Evan Clagg
Cinder Yeti by Precious McKenzie, illustrated by Edward Tanzosh
Dynomike: Pay It Forward by Frankie B Rabbit
I Think I Can by Karen Robbins, illustrated by Rachael Brunson
The ABC of DOG: Essential Manners for Good Dogs on a Friendly Planet by Kathleen Petitjean
Cozmo’s Wish by Janet Tlachac-Toonen
Grandma’s Halloween Stories by Joan Tenner, illustrated by Jesus Lopez
Most Wanted! The Ball Bandit by Nancy Binger
The Adventures of Abigail Rosebud & A Frog Named Stink! by Andrea Robertson, illustrated by Trevor Lucas
Woulda Been by Penny Ledbetter, illustrated by Krystal Smith
Don’t Play With Your Food: Pitaya’s Market by Giddy Gragert
When You Lived in My Belly by Jodi Meltzer Darter, illustrated by Caryn King and Jody King Camarra
The Cat Who Loved The Moon by Jennifer Lea Reynolds, illustrated by Glendon Haddix
Super Max and the Math Menace by Heather E. Robyn, illustrated by Zoe Mellors
There’s a Ghost in My Root Beer! by Kimberly Garland, illustrated by Chad Thompson
Wings to Fly by Jarnell Stokes and Howard Flamm, illustrated by Eunsoo Jeong
Stay Warm Tonight by Joan Dee Wilson
ZOOVERBS by Will O’Toole
A Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The WHY-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry, illustrated by Sukarno Achmad
Otis the Donkeysus by Colleen Stiles
Wendel the Wizard by D.J. Dammeyer, illustrated by Mikayla Beasley
Ruby the Rainbow Witch: A Picture-Perfect Rainbow Day by Kim Ann, illustrated by Nejla Shojaie
The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Tooth Fairy and the Baby Elf by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
Where Are We? A Field Trip to Paradise by Dr. Qooz, illustrated by Irena Urosevic
J is for Jackalope by Teal Blake
Tex the Explorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn by Cathey Nickell, illustrated by Emily Calimlim
My Name is Musky! A Ferret’s Story by Matty Giuliano, illustrated by Morgan Spicer
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani
The Dragon Who Got the Fairy Godmother to Like Vegetables by Karen Magnan, illustrated by Colleen Stiles
Princess Nutterbutter Learns to Share by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Pam Sharp
Ethan’s Healthy Mind Express by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
Amir’s Brave Adventure by Carmen Jimenez-Pride, illustrated by Tanja Varcelija
Akia’s Adventure by George Neeb
Poetry
1st Place: The Trickster: Poems for Very Clever Children & Silly Adults by Daniel Klawitter, illustrated by Robyn Crowell
2nd Place: Grandma’s Halloween Stories by Joan Tenner, illustrated by Jesus Lopez
Honorable Mention:
One Trillion Bright Futures by Kellen Pierson
Milt Millville and the Magic Harpsichord by Dave Alden Hutchison
The Strange Bride by Anthony Spaeth, illustrated by Nicolas Lavalle
School Issues
1st Place (tie): Código 7: Descifrando el código para una vida épica (Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life by Bryan R. Johnson
1st Place (tie): Free To Be Me: self love for all sizes by Lesley Williams-Blackwell, MD, illustrated by Penny Weber
1st Place (tie): David’s ADHD by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by KJ Kalpart
2nd Place: Earthly Angel: Michael’s First Day of School by Carolyn Benjamin
Honorable Mention:
Gerome’s Rainbow by Stephanie Logsdon, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
Poppy the Star: A Star Is Born by Bindu Adai, illustrated by Tze Chiang Lim
Freddie the Fly Truth or Care by Kimberly Delude, illustrated by Brian Martin
The Dirt Girl by Jodi Dee, illustrated by Ed Espiatia
Why Stop for Tajo? by L.V.S. Baker, illustrated by M.E.B. Stottmann
Life in the Grand Pause by Frank Saraco
Lead On! by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kari Vick
Better Than A Bully: Carrot Top’s Surprise by Tina Levine, illustrated by Ned Levine
Wings to Fly by Jarnell Stokes and Howard Flamm, illustrated by Eunsoo Jeong
Dragon by Angie Rooker
A Cup of Loving Kindness by Elaine Bamford, illustrated by David Gnass
Bullying: It Hurts by Brenda Koch
Ethan’s Healthy Mind Express by Emily Lane Waszak and Erik Bean, Ed.D., illustrated by Gail Gorske
Joining God’s Gang by Shirley Gholston Key
Wendel the Wizard by D.J. Dammeyer, illustrated by Mikayla Beasley
Elizabeth Makes A Friend by Carmen K. Jimenez, illustrated by Claudia Tenorio Pearl
How Our Skin Sparkles by Aditi Wardhan Singh
Metal Like Me by D. W. Saur, illustrated by Danielle Green
Leilani Keeps Hawaii Beautiful by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Ling Bower
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place: Leo Gray and the Lunar Eclipse by K.J. Kruk
2nd Place: Chieftain’s Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Honorable Mention:
Squire With Fire: When Sparks Fly by Joseph Cassis
The Proto Project by Bryan R. Johnson
The Secrets of Hawthorne House by Donald Firesmith
Special Needs/Disability Awareness
1st Place: Ivy the Very Determined Dog by Christopher and Maureen Harrington
2nd Place (tie): Only Daddy’s Dog by Cynthia Crosson, illustrated by Carole Williams
2nd Place (tie): Valiance by Vanessa Caraveo
2nd Place (tie): Hi, It’s Me! I have ADHD by Katelyn Mabry, illustrated by Charles Friedel
2nd Place (tie): My Buddy Bryant: A Story of Friendship and Dyspraxia by Elizabeth McKinney, illustrated by Chiara Civati
Honorable Mention:
David’s ADHD by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by KJ Kalpart
Blueberry’s Gift by Tenney Mudge, illustrated by Erika Cummings
I Want Tubie President by Meikele Lee
Milton Visits the Bakery by Karen Magnan, illustrated by Heather Lawson
Spiritual/Religious
1st Place: The First Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Kimberley Barnes
2nd Place: Woulda Been by Penny Ledbetter, illustrated by Krystal Smith
Honorable Mention:
I Am, God’s Affirmations For Little Boys by Belinda N. Mays, illustrated by Stacy Hummel
The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio
Angel Grandma by Heather Lean, illustrated by Sudipta Dasgupta
Flutter, Bye by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kari Vick
Joining God’s Gang by Shirley Gholston Key
Qur’an Princesses by Suad Sultan, illustrated by Majd Massijeh
Sports
1st Place: Young Kap by Kingsley Osei, illustrated by Elaine Davis
2nd Place: Wings to Fly by Jarnell Stokes and Howard Flamm, illustrated by Eunsoo Jeong
Honorable Mention:
Charlie Wants to Play by Alison Mays, illustrated by Evan Clagg
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
1st Place: Cookie & Milk by Michele McAvoy, illustrated by Jessica Gibson
2nd Place: The Proto Project by Bryan R. Johnson
Honorable Mention:
The WHY-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry, illustrated by Sukarno Achmad
Unpublished Manuscript
Honorable Mention:
Molly’s New Pony, Sir Wallace McGee by David Casentini
Finding Lila by Licia Chenoweth
Young Adult Fiction
1st Place: My Skull Possession by Lisa M. Miller
2nd Place (tie): Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
2nd Place (tie): The Morphodons by Rachel Woolsey
Honorable Mention:
Chieftain’s Daughter: Violet Moon Series Book 2 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Gabe’s Guardian Angel by Beverly Stowe McClure
The Lost Temple by Alessia Dickson
Truth Trippers by Rochelle Ransom
Better Than A Bully: Carrot Top’s Surprise by Tina Levine, illustrated by Ned Levine
You See Me by Dev Friedlander
Growing Up Behind the Scenes by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Remeon’s Quest: Earth Year 1930 by J.W. Garrett
The Whimple Inn by Rachel Woolsey
Young Adult Nonfiction
1st Place: The Fragrance of a Girl’s World by Donna Kristine Manley
Youth Author Fiction
1st Place: One Chance by Sarah Frank
2nd Place: The Enchanters’ Child by Navya Sarikonda
Honorable Mention:
The Wishner’s Curse by Camille Campbell, illustrated by Kelley McMorris
Animals/Pets
1st Place: The Goose on the Roof by Sarah Sommer, illustrated by Martina Terzi
2nd Place: But The Sparrow Stayed (Bilingual With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Yony Madera
Honorable Mention:
Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes (With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Mohammad Shayan
Arts/Music
1st Place: Little Travelers by Eva Lou, illustrated by Juyeon Aizier-Kim
2nd Place: The Princess Who Loved Rose by Eva Lou, illustrated by Julie Jup
Honorable Mention:
The Mummy Speaks by Cynthia Morrison
If the Slipper Fits… by Lindsay DeRollo
Best Cover Design
1st Place: My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
2nd Place: The Secret of the Ice Castle & Other Inspirational Tales by Heidi M. Thomas, illustrated by Susan Talbot
Best Illustrations
1st Place: Dylan’s Birthday Present by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos, illustrated by Eszter Miklós
Honorable Mention:
Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott, illustrated by Joseph Cowman
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Lilly and Her Unicorn Doll: Forgiveness and Compassion by Aaron Chandler, illustrated by Vuttipat Jannak
RAFU - An African Story by Verena Prym, illustrated by Paulina Böger
Simon My Pet Dragon And Our Unusual Adventure by David Cree
Best Interior Design
1st Place: My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Chapter Books
1st Place: Izsabella Extraordinaire Summer Vibes by Shanta Massie
Charity/Making a Difference
1st Place: Lilly and Her Unicorn Doll: Forgiveness and Compassion by Aaron Chandler, illustrated by Vuttipat Jannak
Children’s Nonfiction
1st Place: My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: Read & Sleep Tight, so the bed bugs won’t bite by Jinu Mathew
Cultural Diversity
1st Place: Dylan’s Birthday Present by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos, illustrated by Eszter Miklós
2nd Place: Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott, illustrated by Joseph Cowman
Honorable Mention:
Wiggly Tooth by Eleni N. Gage, illustrated by Elise Follin
We Can Be Anything by Bryanna Kaye Paskowitz
Educational/Instructional
1st Place: JACK by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Nina Mkhoiani
Family Matters
1st Place: My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
2nd Place: Mad Max & Sweet Sarah by Ellie Collins
General
2nd Place: Simon My Pet Dragon And Our Unusual Adventure by David Cree
Honorable Mention:
Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott, illustrated by Joseph Cowman
Green/Environmental
1st Place: Sleeping Stones by Kaitlin Solimine, illustrated by Hu Yu
2nd Place: But The Sparrow Stayed (Bilingual With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Yony Madera
Honorable Mention:
Throw It “Away” by Daniela Macaya
Humor
1st Place: Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes (With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Mohammad Shayan
Middle Grade Fiction
1st Place: Dwarf Story by Professor W. W. Marplot
2nd Place: Child of the Republic by Shardai Monte
Honorable Mention:
Hawthorne Illustrated by Jerome Tiller, illustrated by Marc Johnson-Pencook
Mad Max & Sweet Sarah by Ellie Collins
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place: Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott, illustrated by Joseph Cowman
2nd Place: Betty For President by Justine Scire, illustrated by Joanna Pasek
Honorable Mention:
Counting Above the Coast by Jordyn Wear, illustrated by Tara Bushby
Be Proud to Be Blue by Diane Hull, illustrated by Jan Dolby
Dylan’s Birthday Present by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos, illustrated by Eszter Miklós
Llama Lu by Julia Da Rocha, illustrated by M. Judith Da Rocha
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place: How I Made a Friend by Daniel Georges
2nd Place: RAFU - An African Story by Verena Prym, illustrated by Paulina Böger
Honorable Mention:
JACK by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Nina Mkhoiani
Pinky the Pig by R. M. Carels
Amelie Gets Busy! by Agatha Rodi, illustrated by Joanna Scott
Poetry
1st Place: But The Sparrow Stayed (Bilingual With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler, illustrated by Yony Madera
School Issues
1st Place: The Number Monster by Tarun Kumar Martheswaran and Ashvin Kumar
2nd Place: Lilly and Her Unicorn Doll: Forgiveness and Compassion by Aaron Chandler, illustrated by Vuttipat Jannak
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place: Esme’s Gift by Elizabeth Foster
Spiritual/Religious
1st Place: Remembering Tía by Mary Ellen Brown-Carrêon and AJ Morales
2nd Place: Reece’s Timeless Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield
Youth Author Fiction
1st Place: Empire of Embers by Pastel Schway
2nd Place: The Pari and Kayal Adventures: Saved by Sid by Maya Sara Karthik
Honorable Mention:
Throw It “Away” by Daniela Macaya
To enter the Dragonfly Book Awards or Story Monsters Approved programs,
visit dragonflybookawards.com.
Sponsored by Story Monsters LLC
Chandler, AZ (June, 2020)—Authors and book publishers can compete for a $500 cash prize in three different book award contests that honor and celebrate writing and marketing excellence. Story Monsters LLC, the Arizona-based publisher of Story Monsters Ink® magazine, offers the Royal Dragonfly Book Award contest for all genres of books, the Purple Dragonfly Book Award contest for children’s books up to young adult, and the Story Monsters Approved! book designation program, also for children’s books up to young adult. Authors and publishers are encouraged to enter one contest, two contests, or all three!
Read MoreWinners of the 2019 Story Monsters Approved program have been announced and The Wizenard Series: Training Camp created by Kobe Bryant and written by Wesley King earned this year’s Book of the Year designation. The book also earned Story Monsters Approved designations in the Middle Grade Fiction and Young Adult Novel categories.
Read More
The Wizenard Series: Training Camp by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Board Books (Birth – Ages 3)
My Fluffy Bunny by Carli Yim
Finger Paintin’ by Terry Jackson, illustrated by Jason Fowler
Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend by Nidhi Chanani
Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Fiction
Bacon Goes Boo by Olivia Johnson, illustrated by Evelio Puente
Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Ready, Set, GOrilla! by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandy Steen Bartholomew
Tex the Explorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Ollie and The Wishing Stone by Tony J. Perri, illustrated by David K. Ridgeway
The Tooth Fairy and the Baby Elf by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
Fortune Cookie Surprise! by Jacqueline Prata
Gracie Jane by Janet Squires
Mitchell the Dog...The Story of a Confused Schnauzer by Terri Mainwaring and Bonnie Apperson Jacobs, illustrated by Adam Turner
Sam Finds the Sugar Gram by Diane Lash Decker, MS, illustrated by Doina Paraschiv
The Amazing Adventures of Little Right Sock by Brintha Gardner
The Cows Go Moo! by Jim Petipas
Just Like Gulliver by Janet Squires
PERCY: The Racehorse Who Didn’t Like to Run by M.J. Evans, illustrated by Gaspar Sabater
The Real Farmer in the Dell by Sandra Sutter, illustrated by Chantell and Burgen Thorne
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani
Cinder Yeti by Precious McKenzie, illustrated by Edward Tanzosh
Grandma’s Halloween Stories by Joan Tenner, illustrated by Jesus Lopez
I’m Pink! So What? by E.H. Hong
Nathan and Nana Cassandra Take the Lead by Karen Gorback, illustrated by Vova Kirichenko
No Fish for Charles by Tracy Detz, illustrated by Monika Suska
Raina’s (Un) Happy Birthday by Britta Stromeyer Esmail, illustrated by Joanna Cooke
Spreading Her Wings: Butterfly Princess Book 1 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
The Boy Who Cried Wolf Retold by the Wolf by Charlene Crawford
The Lions at Night by Jessica Boehman
The Magician by Sherri Maret, illustrated by Pam Behrend
Huff, Puff, Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart by Lois Wickstrom, illustrated by Francie Mion
A Forest Lesson by Janet Tlachac-Toonen
Lilly and Her Unicorn Doll: Forgiveness and Compassion by Aaron Chandler, illustrated by Vuttipat Jannak
Leilani Keeps Hawaii Beautiful by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Ling Lu Bower
Let’s Vote! A Fruitful Election Tale by Anita Iaco, illustrated by Chiara Civati
No Ordinary Horse by S.R. Tease, illustrated by Eva Rodriguez
Gracie Lou Tries Something New by Larissa Juliano, illustrated by Stephen Adams
Ella’s Umbrella by Courtney Shannon Strand, illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury
The Gift of Haley by Terri Bene’ and Rosemary Lyn, illustrated by Marty Petersen
Jared’s Last Carrot by Sara Devine, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
On The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
OH NO, It’s Story Time! by Christopher Robinson, illustrated by Courtney Huddleston
Simon My Pet Dragon and Our Unusual Adventure by David Cree
Jet & Scoot: A Story About Us by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
Big Al’s Treasure by Christine Noyes
Diggy the Dog Explores Friendship by Adam Loveless, illustrated by Elena Kochetova
Carrie’s Flight by Lois Wickstrom, illustrated by Francie Mion
Gracie (Spanish/English): A Bilingual Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains by Kathryn Leslie, illustrated by Anita Morra
Leonardo the Lion: A Hard Nut to Crack by Jessica Sinatra, illustrated by Olga Ladyga
The Warrior Princess by D.L. Murphy, illustrated by Shannon Murphy
The Adventures of Abella and Her Magic Wand by Zane Carson Carruth, illustrated by Surajit Kunal
The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Cassie’s Marvelous Music Lessons by Sheri Poe-Pape, illustrated by Doris Wenzel
Little Cat Lost by Judy Bergman Hochberg
Skyla and the Snowflake Fairy by Reina Bonici-Mompalao-Lee, illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills
Weaver the Diabetic-Alert Retriever by Billie Holladay Skelley, illustrated by James Paul Skelley
Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Nonfiction
Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps by Gail Skroback Hennessey, illustrated by Steve Cox
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
USA Destinations That Spark Our Fascinations by Gene Lipen
What Wonders Do You See... When You Dream? by Justine Avery, illustrated by Liuba Syrotiuk
Snowballs For Severance: The Terrifically True Story of Dane Best and the Snowball Ban by Richie Frieman
Please Love Me Like I Love You by Kip Ullrich Fechner, illustrated by Janis Ullrich Dillon
Black Bear Dreams by Anne Michelle Lawrence, illustrated by Ken Silbert
Lilly Goes to School by Cheryl Hornstein, illustrated by Lisa Kunkel
Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Fiction
Bacon Goes Boo by Olivia Johnson, illustrated by Evelio Puente
No Fish for Charles by Tracy Detz, illustrated by Monika Suska
The Warrior Princess by D.L. Murphy, illustrated by Shannon Murphy
Tex the Explorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
The Gift of Haley by Terri Bene’ and Rosemary Lyn, illustrated by Marty Petersen
Jayce The Bee: Mayhem In Beetopia by Calvin Reynolds
On The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday by Alysson Foti Bourque, illustrated by Chiara Civati
The ABC of DOG: Essential Manners for Good Dogs on a Friendly Planet by Kathleen Petitjean
My Lil’ Big Ocean by Toby Williams, illustrated by Corrina Holyoake
Dragon Amy’s Flames by Michelle Nott, illustrated by K.C. Snider
Behind the Secret Garden Door by Sandie Leigh
Cow & The Magic Shoes by Amber L. Spradlin, illustrated by Linda McConeghy Clark
Basil’s Busy Day by Basil Robinson & Cherylann Francis, illustrated by Joe Ruiz
Aunt Lanta’s Magic Spells by Leah Fricano
Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Nonfiction
Meet Odie by D.S. Provance
Odie Explores by D.S. Provance
Sam Finds the Sugar Gram by Diane Lash Decker, MS, illustrated by Doina Paraschiv
First Chapter Books (Ages 6-10) Fiction
A Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
On The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Scarlet and the Dragon by Kathleen Kilpatrick, illustrated by Johnnie Eagan
The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection: Return to Coney Island by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Callie Metler-Smith
Florence the Dancing Flamingo by Karen Magnan, illustrated by Osvaldo Grundy
Rosco the Rasca and the Holiday Lights by Shana Gorian, illustrated by Josh Addessi
The Adventures of Iyani: The Incredible Beginning by Aunty Marcella, illustrated by Stephanie Wilbanks
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) Fiction
Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof by Kobe Bryant and Ivy Claire
Legacy and the Queen by Kobe Bryant and Annie Matthew
The Wizenard Series: Training Camp by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
The Wizenard Series: Season One by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
Struggle for Fenland: Quietly We Fall by M. Byron, illustrated by Sakshi Mangal
Willow Paradise by Robert Friedle
Growing Up Behind the Scenes by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Loukas and the Game of Chance by Anthony L. Manna, illustrated by Donald Babisch
The Book of Chaos by Jessica Renwick
The Cursed Coin by Culliver Crantz
The Heath Cousins and the Kingsgate Bridge by Eileen Hobbs
A Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Sammy’s Day at the Fair: The Digestive System featuring Gut Feelings and Reactions by Jerome Tiller, illustrated by Paul Tiller
Squire With Fire: When Sparks Fly by Joseph Cassis
Two Secrets by Sarah Frank, illustrated by Tara Raymo
Life in the Grand Pause by Frank Saraco
The Mighty Tusks by Erik Daniel Shein
90% Human by M.C. Berkhousen
Britfield and the Lost Crown by C.R. Stewart
Curse of the Komodo by M.C. Berkhousen
With the Courage of a Mouse, The Superhero School series, Book one by Donna Sager Cowan, illustrated by Diane Reid
The Ice Giant by Giulietta Spudich
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) Nonfiction
Sammy’s Day at the Fair: The Digestive System featuring Gut Feelings and Reactions by Jerome Tiller, illustrated by Paul Tiller
Tween Novels (Ages 10-14) Fiction
Growing Up Behind the Scenes by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Bee Maker by Mobi Warren
Tween/Young Adult (Ages 10-14) Nonfiction
Resumes for Children 17 Years Old and Under by Donna Kristine Manley
Young Adult Novels (Ages 13+)
Miracle Girl by Jennifer DiGiovanni
Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof by Kobe Bryant and Ivy Claire
Legacy and the Queen by Kobe Bryant and Annie Matthew
The Wizenard Series: Training Camp by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
The Wizenard Series: Season One by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
Struggle for Fenland: Quietly We Fall by M. Byron, illustrated by Sakshi Mangal
Growing Up Behind the Scenes by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Young Author (Ages 17 and under) Fiction
Lilly Gets Lucky by Josephine Nail and Jennifer Kuhns, illustrated by Mitzi Kuhns
Fortune Cookie Surprise! by Jacqueline Prata
One Chance by Sarah Frank, illustrated by Tara Raymo
Young Author (Ages 17 and under) Nonfiction
Cameron’s Book of Insects by Cameron Carpinello
Cultural Diversity
Milly & Roots: The Headscarf by Rodrigo Gomez Claros
Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend by Nidhi Chanani
A Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Sweet Neighbors Come in All Colors by Lisa Blecker
Education/Reference
Queen Vernita Conquers the Volcanic Islands by Dr. Dawn Menge, illustrated by Pamela Snyder
Código 7: Descifrando el código para una vida épica (Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life) by Bryan R. Johnson
Summer the Firefly by Vikki Lynn Smith, illustrated by Marcela Werkema
Where Does The Man In The Moon Go During the Day? by Jared Jackson
American Heroes: Fascinating Facts and Inspiring Voices by Martin Feess
Family Matters
A Big Change for Daisy by Keri T. Collins, illustrated by Cynthia Baker-Gusman
Azurite’s All Right by Joshua Wilwohl
Raina’s (Un) Happy Birthday by Britta Stromeyer Esmail, illustrated by Joanna Cooke
So You Want a Puppy? by Raven Howell, illustrated by Ann Pilicer
The Forever Kid by Elizabeth Cummings
Jesse Unleashed by Amy Brazda, illustrated by Bill Megenhardt
My Brother Came In a Train by Debra Spence, illustrated by Kinga Rypinska
The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
I Smile for Grandpa by Jaclyn Guenette, illustrated by Kathryn Harrison
On The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Family Time “Who Do You Love” by Brandon Foster, illustrated by Pía Bley
Fortune Cookie Surprise! by Jacqueline Prata
First-Time Author (All Ages)
Simon My Pet Dragon And Our Unusual Adventure by David Cree
Jayce: A Bee Adventure by Calvin Reynolds
Diggy the Dog Explores Friendship by Adam Loveless, illustrated by Elena Kochetova
The Little Apple by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Jet & Scoot: A Story About Us by Stephanie Smith-Kenny, illustrated by Lauren Looney
OH NO, It’s Story Time! by Christopher Robinson, illustrated by Courtney Huddleston
Jared’s Last Carrot by Sara Devine, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
With the Courage of a Mouse, The Superhero School series, Book one by Donna Sage Cowan, illustrated by Diane Reid
Green Living/Environmental Issues
Butterfly Grandma: Monarchs! by Mary Ann Falter, illustrated by Emma, Genevieve, and Mary Ann Falter
Struggle for Fenland: Quietly We Fall by M. Byron, illustrated by Sakshi Mangal
Leilani Keeps Hawaii Beautiful by Karen Nicksich, illustrated by Ling Lu Bower
Ocean Devotion by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Melissa Salvarani
Fiona and Friends: Bird Rescue by Elizabeth Cummings, illustrated by Johanna Roberts
Health and Wellness
Amir’s Brave Adventure by Carmen Jimenez-Pride, illustrated by Tanja Varcelija
Hi, It’s Me! I have ADHD by Katelyn Mabry
Positive Me! A Kids’ Guide to Self-Compassion by Madelyn Hornstein, illustrated by Phillipa Clark
The Warrior Princess by D.L. Murphy, illustrated by Shannon Murphy
David’s ADHD by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by Kalpart
What Wonders Do You See... When You Dream? by Justine Avery, illustrated by Liuba Syrotiuk
Looking For Lola/Taco by Jennifer Kuhns, illustrated by Gabrielle Pate
I Smile for Grandpa by Jaclyn Guenette, illustrated by Kathryn Harrison
The Treacherous Tingling Tanglelow Trial by Greg McGoon, illustrated by Jessa Orr
Sammy’s Day at the Fair: The Digestive System featuring Gut Feelings and Reactions by Jerome Tiller, illustrated by Paul Tiller
Monarch by Victoria Hinds
Making a Difference
Lucky’s Adventure in Winter Wonderland by Elizabeth Macy, illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky
Nathan and Nana Cassandra: Superheroes by Karen Gorback, illustrated by Vova Kirichenko
Raina’s (Un) Happy Birthday by Britta Stromeyer Esmail, illustrated by Joanna Cooke
Spreading Her Wings: Butterfly Princess Book 1 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales
Looking For Lola/Taco by Jennifer Kuhns, illustrated by Gabrielle Pate
Growing Up Behind the Scenes by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Código 7: Descifrando el código para una vida épica (Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life) by Bryan R. Johnson
Kind Soup by Jean Petersen, illustrated by Janet Samuel
Jared’s Last Carrot by Sara Devine, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
A Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Horse of a Different Color: The Tallest Kid in the Class by Toshia Stelivan
The Little Goat in Africa by Deborah Smith Ford, illustrated by Susi Galloway
Please Love Me Like I Love You by Kip Ullrich Fechner, illustrated by Janis Ullrich Dillon
Struggle for Fenland: Quietly We Fall by M. Byron, illustrated by Sakshi Mangal
Jayce The Bee: Journey To The Polka-Dot Village by Calvin Reynolds
Jayce The Bee: The Great Bee-Athlon by Calvin Reynolds
No Head Fred Said, “Send Thanks” by Stephanie Keegan
The Adventures of Iyani: The Incredible Beginning by Aunty Marcella, illustrated by Stephanie Wilbanks
With the Courage of a Mouse, The Superhero School series, Book one by Donna Sager Cowan, illustrated by Diane Reid
School Life
A Forest Lesson by Janet Tlachac-Toonen
Elizabeth Makes A Friend by Carmen K. Jimenez, illustrated by Claudia Tenorio Pearl
Leonardo the Lion: A Hard Nut to Crack by Jessica Sinatra, illustrated by Olga Ladyga
Little Heroes: A Story of Courage, Determination and Friendship by Nanci Ianzano, illustrated by Marcos Salazar
Positive Me! A Kids’ Guide to Self-Compassion by Madelyn Hornstein, illustrated by Phillipa Clark
Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All) by Lori Orlinsky, illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
The Scary, Gray Shark by Brian L. Tucker, illustrated by Katerina Dotneboya
Spirituality/Religion
That Grand Easter Day! by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio
Struggle for Fenland: Quietly We Fall by M. Byron, illustrated by Sakshi Mangal
Miracle Girl by Jennifer DiGiovanni
The Silent Noisy Night by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Kelly Breemer
Is your book Story Monsters Approved?
Enter today at www.DragonflyBookAwards.com!
Winners of the 2019 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and I'm Your Daughter, Julie: Caring for a Parent with Dementia by Julie A. Gorges has earned this year’s $500 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designations in the Aging/Senior Living, How-To, and Self-Help/Inspirational categories.
Read MoreAnjali and her friends are excited to get matching personalized license plates for their bikes. But Anjali can't find her name. To make matters worse, she gets bullied for her “different” name, and is so upset, she demands to change it. When her parents refuse and she is forced to take matters into her own hands, she winds up learning to celebrate who she is and carry her name with pride and power.
Read MoreWinners of the 2018 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and Kayla Wayman, Teen Time Traveler: Lost in the Stream has earned this year’s $500 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designation in the Middle Grade Fiction category. This is the first collaborative novel of its kind. Created by Alana Garrigues and Nutschell Anne Windsor with Cassie Gustafson, Tiffani Barth, Angie Flores, Lucy Ravitch, Peleise Smith, V.V. Cadieux, Bryan Caldwell, Inna Chon, Audrey A. Criss, Abi Estrin Cunningham, Scott Cunningham, Cacy Duncan, J.J. Gow, Glenn Jason Hanna, Caitlin Hernandez, Michelle Marchand, Donna Marie Robb, Judy Rubin, Mollie Silver, Amy Terranova, and Bernadette Windsor, the book was written in just one day.
Read MoreWinners of the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and The Hugsmiler’s Hugs: A Story About Learning Values by Jessica L. Simons has earned this year’s $500 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designation in the Picture Books 5 & Younger and Picture Books 6 & Older categories
Read MoreWinners of the 2017 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and October Song: A Memoir of Music and the Journey of Time by David W. Berner has earned this year’s $500 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designation in the Biography category.
Read More
2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Award GRAND PRIZE WINNER
2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Award FIRST PLACE DRAWING WINNER
CHANDLER, AZ (June 2017) – Winners of the 2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and The Crystal Chronicles by Alessia Dickson has earned this year’s $500 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designation in the Youth Author Fiction category. Dickson has been writing novels since she was six years old. By the time she turned 10, she had completed the 50 novellas, and at age 16, her first book, The Crystal Chronicles, was published. The plot centers around a seemingly normal teenage girl who finds out that she’s an Elemental, a member of a supernatural race that controls the elements. With the future of humanity in danger, it’s up to her to save it.
Now 18, Dickson’s work has been compared to that of J.K. Rowling and Cassandra Clare, and the judges of the Purple Dragonfly Awards agree. “If this book had been written by an adult author, it would have been an impressive debut novel,” says Joe Murkette. “Given that it was written by a young woman in her teens, it is not only impressive, but inspirational. Alessia Dickson qualifies not only as a literary prodigy, but a potential literary star.”
The winner of this year’s $100 drawing is Meghan Colvin, author of Edison's Tackle Box. Colvin earned First Place in the Outdoor Recreation category. A complete list of winners is available on the Dragonfly Book Awards website.
"What impressed me most about this year’s entries is the pool of talent," says Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC. “We had 63 entries earn First Place awards, which means the judges scored them with a minimum of 72 out of 80 points. This number speaks to the quality of writing that is competing in our book awards contest. I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of our winners.”
Now in its eighth year, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest has grown by 33% in just the past two years alone. “We have seen an increase in entries from both traditional and independent publishers” says Radke. “I love that we offer a place for authors to be recognized.”
The next Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. Final deadline for submissions is May 1, 2018. The deadline for the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes outstanding literature in all genres, is October 1, 2017. For complete rules and submission forms for these contests, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on the contest of choice.
Story Monsters Approved!, part of the Story Monsters LLC family of programs, is aimed to highlight quality children's books and products. All entries are kid-tested and judge-certified, making it easier for buyers to choose exceptional books and products that parents will approve and youths will enthusiastically devour. There is no deadline to enter and books are judged as they are received.
Story Monsters LLC, formerly Five Star Publications, Inc., is dedicated to helping authors of all genres strive for excellence with book production, marketing and promotion. From publishing the award-winning Story Monsters Ink® magazine, to providing Publishers Support Services in areas such as editing, cover design and publicity, Story Monsters LLC is a place to tell your story. For more information, visit www.storymonsters.com, email info@storymonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.
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Grand Prize Winner
CHANDLER, AZ (November, 2016) – Winners of the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and Behind the Mask by Dana Ridenour has earned this year’s $300 Grand Prize as well as First Place designations in the Fiction Novel and First Time Author categories. Behind the Mask is the story of special agent Lexie Montgomery, who is just beginning to understand the FBI’s undercover division motto: “You build relationships to betray relationships.” Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit. Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists. As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
Additional first-place winners include Losing a Hero to Alzheimer's: The Story of Pearl by Patricia M. McClure; A Home for Abigail by S. Marriott Cook; The Amazing Journey of Solomon the Sockeye Salmon by Pamela Cannalte, illustrated by Steven Beutler, Designed by Jody Mattics; The Family Tree: The Night of the Storm by Laurie Copmann, illustrated by Laurie Copmann and Shirley Kraus; The Spirit of Villarosa: A Father's Extraordinary Adventures; A Son's Challenge by Horace Dade Ashton, Marc Ashton, Libby J. Atwater; If It Does Not Grow: Say No - Eatable Activities for Kids Kerry Alison Wekelo; Sir Pigglesworth's Adventures series by JoAnn Wagner, illustrated by David Darchicourt; Animal abc: Book to Look by Gabriela Rzepecka-Weiß; How the Bunny Learned to Fly by Sean David Maday; Dragons are Real by Valarie Budayr, illustrated by Michael Welply; Just Indian by Jackie Neypes, illustrated by Tyrelle Smith; The Tales of Reese: Finn's Wish by Rachel Mahan, illustrated by Gau Family Studio; The Seeds of Injustice by Micheal Jimerson; Stinky Blinky by Troy Kent, illustrated by Amanda Erb; Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems: The Crystal Cavern (Book 3) by Anthony Pardoe; A Trip to Remember by Michele Spry; The Accidental Vigilante by Robert Sterling Hecker; Am I Going to Be Okay? Weathering the Storms of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Grief by Debra Whittam, illustrated by Jeff Tift; The Reading Promise by Troy Kent, illustrated by Elisa Moriconi; Moon Full of Moons: Poetry of Transformation by Kat Lehmann; The Apocalyptic Gospel: Mystery, Revelation, and Common Sense by Justin Mark Staller; String by Timothy Bryant Spear; Forever Skating Forward by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz; and Ascension by Hannah Rials.
"We had a very tight competition this year and our judges definitely had their work cut out for them," says Linda F. Radke, president of the Dragonfly Book Awards program. “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of our winners.”
For a complete list of winners, visit www. DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on "Winners." The next Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. The final deadline for submissions is October 1, 2017.
In addition to the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, Story Monsters LLC also has two additional book contests: The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards and the Story Monsters Approved! program. The final deadline to enter the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes outstanding children's literature, is May 1, 2017. The Story Monsters Approved program identifies quality children's books that have been kid-tested and judge-certified, making it easier for buyers to choose exceptional fiction and nonfiction books that parents will approve and youths will enthusiastically devour. There is no deadline to enter and books are judged as they are received. For rules and submission forms for these contests, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on the contest of choice.
For more information about the Dragonfly Book Awards and Story Monsters Approved! program, email info@storymonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.
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Grand Prize Winner
$100 Drawing First Place Winner
CHANDLER, AZ (June, 2016) – Winners of the 2016 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced by Five Star Publications, Inc. Fabulous Me, Piper Lee and the Peanut Butter Itch by Tolya L. Thompson and illustrated by Terence Gaylor has earned this year’s $300 Grand Prize as well as a First Place designation in the Best Illustrations and Health categories. Fabulous Me Piper Lee and the Peanut Butter Itch is the first release featuring Piper Lee in the existing line of Smarties Books. Guided by her inner voice, MeMe, Piper Lee struggles to resist the temptation of eating peanut butter even though she knows she is allergic to peanuts. The itch to taste, and the total body itch that follows, provide an unforgettable lesson on food allergies.
The winner of this year’s $100 drawing is Billie Holladay Skelley, author of Luella Agnes Owen: Going Where No Lady Had Gone Before. Skelley earned First Place awards in the Biography and Historical Nonfiction categories.
Additional first-place winners include: A Mommy's Promise by Connie Cabrina; Cody, The Teeny, Tiny Alpaca by Amber Isaac; The Day Dad Blew Up the Cowshed by Jennifer Somervell, illustrated by Margery Fern; The Grumpy Unicorn by Jennifer Hodge; Daddy's Heart, My Heart, The Purple Heart by Angela Kohout, Madeline Murillo, and Elizabeth Sagi, illustrated by Michael Ryan; Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems by Anthony Pardoe; Liv on Life series by Elizabeth Gorcey, illustrated by Kajiah Jacobs; Don't Play With Your Food: Fu-Fu's Bistro by Giddy Gragert, illustrated by Christina Mattison Ebert; Sammie Street Adventures: Stormy Saturday by Jennifer Blyth, illustrated by Kathy Kerber; The Rabbit Rescuers by Cindy Howard, illustrated by Nancy Lane; Why Can't You Just Like Me? by Cathy A. Carroll; If You Love Honey by Martha Sullivan, illustrated by Cathy Morrison; Mighty Mole and Super Soil by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Chad Wallace; One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! by Eric Yoder and Natalie Yoder; The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid by Janet Balletta, illustrated by Estella Mejia; Where is My Grandma? by Niyati Desai-Kadakia, illustrated by Deepa Shah-Chordia; "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator?" An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given; Tales for Your Monkey's Mind by Steve Michael Reedy, illustrated by Tom Fee; Bee in the Sea by Adam Reed, illustrated by Izzy Bean; Green is Good by Elizabeth Gorcey, illustrated by Kajiah Jacobs; Grandma's Garden by Julie Ann Dolle', illustrated by Gaston Hauviller; Cole's Perfect Puppy - Perfect Puppies - Book One by Frances Crossno; Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems - Book Two: The Raging Torrent by Anthony Pardoe; The Rain of Blood by S.P. Kumar; Goodnight, Campsite by Loretta Sponsler, illustrated by Olga Shevchenko; Going to the Park by Elizabeth Gorcey, illustrated by Kajiah Jacobs; Max and Bear by Pam Saxelby, illustrated by Stephen Adams; Narla and the Hidden Treasure by Lisa Domeny; Beasties by Pat Hall, illustrated by Emmeline Hall Forrestal; Escape into the Mall by Donna LeBlanc, illustrated by Anton Servetnik; My Forgotten Self: A Story About a Girl, A Powerful Encounter, and a Universal Message by Lynyetta G. Willis, Ph.D; Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui by Icy Smith, illustrated by Gayle Garner Roski; Somebody Cares: A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Neglect by Susan Farber Straus, PhD, illustrated by Claire Keay; What a Bragger! by Lee Ann Mancini, illustrated by Dan Sharp; Dinosaurs Living in My Hair by Jayne M. Rose-Vallee, illustrated by Anni Matsick; Ms. Abrams' Everything Garden by Lisa and Samantha Colodny, illustrated by Ashley Scott; The Alien Logs of Super Jewels by BK Bradshaw, illustrated by Travis Hanson; Inside the Palisade by K.C. Maguire; Let's Change That! If Animals Can, We Can, Too! by Dr. Bashar Salame, illustrated by Rainer M. Osinger; Once Upon A Zombie Book One: The Color of Fear by Billy Phillips and Jenny Nissenson; and The Phantom of Faerie Mountain by E.M. McIntyre.
"We had a very tight competition this year and our judges definitely had their work cut out for them," says Linda F. Radke, president of Five Star Publications, Inc. “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of our winners.”
The next Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. The early bird deadline is March 1, 2017. Final deadline for submissions is May 1, 2017.
The early bird deadline for the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes outstanding literature in all genres, is August 1, 2016. The final deadline is October 1, 2016.
For complete rules and submission forms for these contests, visit DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on the contest of choice. For more information about the other programs Story Monsters LLC offers, please visit www.StoryMonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.
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