Award-Winning Books

Looking for a great kids' book? From the Newbery Medal to the Coretta Scott King Book Award, the must-read books on this list have all been honored by one of the United States' top book prizes. You'll find picks for all ages -- from early readers to teen bookworms -- in a range of genres. Whether they've won a Caldecott or a Michael L. Printz award, they're all worth checking out. These excellent award winners are already on their way to becoming classics in children's literature. And for more essential books for kids, try our list of the 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12.

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image
BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

Make Way for Ducklings Poster Image
BOOK

Make Way for Ducklings

age 2+

Kids and parents enjoy this story about family.

By: Robert McCloskey (1969)
The Snowy Day Poster Image
BOOK

The Snowy Day

age 2+

Classic captures a kid's delight in freshly fallen snow.

By: Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
Where the Wild Things Are Poster Image
BOOK

Where the Wild Things Are

age 2+

Classic all-ages masterpiece has a wild imagination.

By: Maurice Sendak (1969)
You Are (Not) Small Poster Image
BOOK

You Are (Not) Small

age 2+

Snuggly, fun picture book about sizing the world up.

By: Anna Kang (2014)
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend Poster Image
BOOK

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

age 3+

Cute, fresh take on having an imaginary friend.

By: Dan Santat (2014)
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah Poster Image
BOOK

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

age 3+

Little sister finds way to contribute in warm holiday story.

By: Emily Jenkins (2018)
A Ball for Daisy Poster Image
BOOK

A Ball for Daisy

age 3+

Wordless story of dog's ball loss mirrors kids' emotions.

By: Chris Raschka (2011)
A Big Mooncake for Little Star Poster Image
BOOK

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

age 3+

Girl sneaks nibbles, mooncake wanes in cozy bedtime charmer.

By: Grace Lin (2018)
Book Fiesta! Poster Image
BOOK

Book Fiesta!

age 3+

Beautiful bilingual book may inspire adventures in reading.

By: Pat Mora (2009)
Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart Poster Image
BOOK

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

age 3+

A giant saves the day in muy magical story.

By: Pat Mora (2006)
Flora and the Flamingo Poster Image
BOOK

Flora and the Flamingo

age 3+

Girl makes a feathered friend in whimsical, wordless outing.

By: Molly Idle (2013)
Fry Bread Poster Image
BOOK

Fry Bread

age 3+

Lyrical tale shows role of special food in family, culture.

Kitten's First Full Moon Poster Image
BOOK

Kitten's First Full Moon

age 3+

Kids will connect with Kitten and her dilemma.

By: Kevin Henkes (2004)
Last Stop on Market Street Poster Image
BOOK

Last Stop on Market Street

age 3+

Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.

By: Matt de la Peña (2015)
The Lion & the Mouse Poster Image
BOOK

The Lion & the Mouse

age 3+

Retold fable with out-of-this-world art; a true keepsake.

By: Jerry Pinkney (2009)
My Friend Rabbit Poster Image
BOOK

My Friend Rabbit

age 3+

Award-winning book with great preschool lessons.

By: Eric Rohmann (2002)
This Is Not My Hat Poster Image
BOOK

This Is Not My Hat

age 3+

Little fish tries to outsmart big one in funny thief tale.

By: Jon Klassen (2012)
We Are Water Protectors Poster Image
BOOK

We Are Water Protectors

age 3+

Powerful words, vibrant images inspire care for the earth.

By: Carole Lindstrom (2020)
A Boy and a Jaguar Poster Image
BOOK

A Boy and a Jaguar

age 4+

Inspiring true story of stutterer and his work with animals.

By: Alan Rabinowitz (2014)