Show Me Reader Award Nominees

Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen

by Beth Mills

Illustrated by Beth Mills

When first-grader Ella, the undisputed kickball queen at school, is bested by new student Riya Patel, she throws a tantrum with her entire class watching.

Hair Love

by Matthew A Cherry

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.

Hey, Dog

by Tony Johnston

Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson

A boy cares for, feeds, and helps an abused stray dog to learn to trust humans again.

If I Built a School

by Chris Van Dusen

Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Imaginative Jack describes the kind of school he would build--one full of animals, with tubes to transport students directly to their classrooms, and library books that come alive.

Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog

by Lisa Papp

Illustrated by Lisa Papp

After Madeline Finn adopts a puppy, she learns about her local animal shelter and organizes donations and volunteers to improve the lives of the animals there.

Meet Miss Fancy

by Irene Latham

Illustrated by John Holyfield

Ten-year-old African American boy wants to welcome the circus elephant named Miss Fancy to her new home in a nearby park, but he is disappointed to see a sign No Colored Allowed.

Snack Attack

by Terry Border

Illustrated by Terry Border

Although warned of the dangers lurking outside their packages, Cookie, Pretzel, and Cheese Doodle venture into the kitchen for fun but soon discover that Monster Kids are real.

Sulwe

by Lupita Nyong'o

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.

The Donkey Egg

by Janet Stevens

Illustrated by Janet Stevens

After fast-talking Fox leaves him with a large, green egg, Bear spends minutes, hours, days, and weeks lovingly caring for it with the help of his neighbor Hare.

When Pencil Met Eraser

by Karen Kilpatrick

Illustrated by Germán Blanco

The true story of how Pencil and Eraser became the best of friends.