2020 Story Monsters Approved Winners Announced

2020 Story Monsters Approved Winners Announced

Winners of the 2020 Story Monsters Approved program have been announced and How to Cure a Mine Monster by Brittany Plumeri, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova, is the 2020 Story Monsters Approved Book of the Year. Selected from over 250 entries that earned a Story Monsters Approved designation this year, How to Cure a Mine Monster received a perfect score from the judges in the Picture Book category, one of the criteria for Book of the Year consideration.

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2019 Story Monsters Approved Winners Announced

2019 Story Monsters Approved Winners

Book of the Year Winner:

GP winner.jpg

 The Wizenard Series: Training Camp by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King

 $100 Drawing Winner:

 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

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