Past ARmadillo Winners

2022-23 Chez Bob, written and illustrated by Bob Shea

Bob is a very lazy alligator with a very clever plan. Instead of hunting birds to eat, he’ll open a restaurant, for them right on his nose. (How about he calls the restaurant Chez Bob, pronounced like the author’s name in reverse– get it?) Just when those birds least expect it –snap!– lunch time. But when Bob gets to know the birds, will he still be able to go through with his devious plan?

2021-22 Unicorns are the Worst!, written and illustrated by Alex Willan

Goblin has gone about his important business for hundreds of years, gathering ingredients and alphabetizing them for spells. He has studied magic beneath the ground and can turn broccoli into ice cream. He has worked hard at mastering tasks and documenting, mowing grass and cleaning up unicorn glitter. Sadly, Goblin’s ways are not appreciated and guess who’s moved in next door? The unicorns. Their frolicking and tea parties are an extreme interference. What is all the fuss about unicorns, anyway? Oh wait, is that a dragon? Maybe unicorns are good for something after all.

2020-21 The Very Impatient Caterpillar, written and illustrated by Ross Burach

Waiting for anything can be a challenge, and young readers will instantly connect to - and laugh about - this caterpillar’s relentless impatience. Our protagonist chatters throughout each phase in his transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, and students will gladly join the other characters in encouraging patience. The humorous illustrations and voice invite age-appropriate discussions about life cycles and social-emotional learning.

2019-20 Can I Be Your Dog?, written and illustrated by Troy Cummings

This sweet persuasive story shares the story of a homeless mutt, Arfy who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes letters to every neighbor on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. His letters are to persuade his hopeful owners of all his great attributes to be someone’s pet. Unfortunately no one will take him in. Will someone open their home to this sweet pup?

2018-19 The Bad Seed, written by Jory John; illustrated by Pete Oswald

He wasn’t always a bad sunflower seed. He started out good. He had a big family and they were close. But then the petals dropped, the flower drooped and he found himself getting spit out of a man’s mouth into a big wad of gum. He then became bad. He was a friend to nobody, he was lost on purpose. He never washed his hands, he cut in line, he stared at everybody and never listened. But then one day he made a change and decided to be good. He smiled, said please, and sometimes opened the door for people. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried. 

2017-18  You Don't Want A Unicorn, written by Ame Dyckman; illustrated by Liz Climo

In this hilarious book, a young boy wishes for a pet unicorn but he has no idea what it’s really like to have a unicorn as a pet. Is he ever in for a surprise… unicorns are the WORST pets!

2016-17 Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise, written by Sean Taylor; illustrated by Jean Jullien

Hoot Owl is hungry and looking for something delicious to eat. Luckily, this predator is a master of disguise! Join Hoot Owl as he dons disguises in an attempt to catch the perfect meal.

2015-16 Gaston, written by Kelly DiPucchio; illustrated by Christian Robinson  

Two dog broods learn that families can be flexible. FiFi, Foo­Foo, Ooh­La­La and Gaston, poodle puppies in a swanky home, are learning how to be prim and proper. A trip to the park reveals Gaston is actually a bulldog born to another family that isn’t as mannerly. Should he switch back or stay at his new home? 

2014-15 Mustache Baby, written by Bridget Heos; illustrated by Joy Ang  

When Baby Billy entered the world, he was born with a distinct difference; he was born with a mustache. His parents waited to find out whether it would be a good-guy mustache, or a bad-guy mustache. At first he is an honorable baby, “a man of the law,” BUT then his mustache started curling at the ends and his behavior takes a turn for the worse. Thankfully, Billy learns that crime doesn’t pay and everyone deserves a second chance. 

2013-14 Dog Loves Drawing, written and illustrated by Louise Yates  

Dog loves books so he opens up his own bookshop. One day, he receives a package from his Aunt Dora and discovers that it is a book with no words in it. He begins to draw and creates his own story with characters, setting and even a plot. He ends the adventure with a thank you letter to his aunt and realizes the talent within himself.

2012-13 Memoirs of a Goldfish, written by Devin Scillian; illustrated by Tim Bowers  

A daily journal of a goldfish shows us what it is like to live in a fish bowl and how it feels when others get in our personal space. The goldfish eventually learns that living with friends is much better than swimming alone in a bowl all day long. 

2011-12 Christian, the Hugging Lion, written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; illustrated by Amy June Bates  

Ace and John were amazed to see a lion cub for sale in a department store! They knew that this was no place for a lion cub to live, so they bought him and took him back to their apartment. Ace and John named their new friend Christian, and they enjoyed their days playing, eating and growing until Christian grew so large, they knew it was time to find him a new home. After adjusting to his new home in Africa, Ace and John wondered if Christian would still remember them when they visited. To their surprise, he not only recognized them, he met them with a hug! 

2010-11 Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed, written and Illustrated by J. C. Phillipps

The happiest day of Wink’s life is when he is accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninjas. He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the first lesson, and everyone is very silent…except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson, and everyone is very stealthy …except for Wink. Finally, Wink decides that he will be silent and stealthy, but no one notices! What’s the point of being a great ninja if no one notices? Maybe Wink wasn’t meant to be a ninja. 

2009-10 Willow, written by Denise Brennan-Nelson & Rosemarie Brennan; illustrated by Cyd Moore

Willow is an exceptional artist and paints what she sees when her eyes are closed. Miss Hawthorn, the art teacher, does not like Willow’s paintings, nor appreciate Willow’s color style and sweet nature. Students will delight as Miss Hawthorn transforms from an overbearing, dictator-style art teacher into a joyously inspired teacher. It all begins when Miss Hawthorn receives her only Christmas present – an art book from Willow. 

2008-09 Chester, written and illustrated by Melanie Watt

Chester the cat is not happy that this book is about a mouse who lives in the country. In fact, he is so unhappy that he gets out a red marker and edits the text and illustrations to make the book all about him. Chester and the author battle throughout the book, but the author has the final word. 

2007-08 The Gingerbread Girl, written and illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst

After their first gingerbread disaster, the lonely old woman and the lonely old man gather their courage to bake again. They decide to make a girl this time, figuring she will be too sweet to leave home. When they open the oven however, it’s all too familiar: “I’ll run and I’ll run, with a leap and a twirl. You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread GIRL!” You see, this smart cookie overheard the old woman and the old man talking about that dastardly fox, and she has a plan. Will it work? Let’s just say that the ending is sweet for everyone. 

2006-07 Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies, written by Carolyn Crimi; illustrated by John Manders

Henry likes to read all of the time, but Henry’s father, Barnacle Black Ear, the captain of the Salty Carrot, and his crew see no value in reading. They want Henry to put down his books and act like a pirate. After the crew ignores Henry’s warning that a bad storm is on the way, their ship is destroyed. However, they do manage to float on book trunks to a nearby island. Henry is the hero as he uses the knowledge he learned in the books to help the crew survive. 

2005-06 Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook, Written and Illustrated by Michael Garland

Zack is not excited to begin second grade until he meets his eclectic and zany teacher, Miss Smith. Her bright, orange hair is spiked. She wears high top sneakers and “The Clash” pin adorns her black leather jacket. When Miss Smith reads aloud from her personal storybook, the characters magically pop out of the book and come to life. 

2004-05 Skippyjon Jones, Written and Illustrated by Judy Schachner

Skippyjon Jones, whose head and ears are too big for his body, and whose imagination is too intense for his mama, needs to do some serious thinking about what it means to be a Siamese cat instead of a bird.