Show Me Readers Award Winners
2022
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.
2021
The Epic Adventures of Huggie & Stick
by
Drew Daywalt
When a grumpy stuffed bunny and a happy-go-lucky stick fall out of their boy's backpack, they embark on an odyssey that takes them all around the world, experiencing one crazy adventure after another.
2018
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
by
Leslea Newman
Illustrated by
Amy June Bates
Moshe Cotel was a composer who lived in a noisy building on a noisy street in a noisy city. One day, while out for a walk, he heard a small, sad sound that he'd never heard before. It was a tiny kitten! "Come on, little Ketzel," Moshe said, "I will take you home and we will make beautiful music together." And they did--in a most surprising way.
2017
Strongheart: the World's First Movie Star Dog
by
Emily McCully
When silent movie director Larry Trimble decides to put Strongheart, a police dog, into his movies as the lead actor, he must first train him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog, but Strongheart becomes a sensation until his military training leads to trouble, and possibly the end of his career. Includes author's note on the real Strongheart.
2015
Jangles: A Big Fish Story
by
David Shannon
Illustrated by
David Shannon
A father relates to his son the tale of his encounter--and friendship--with a gigantic trout whose enormous jaw is covered with so many lures and fish hooks that he jangles when he swims, but who has never been caught.
2014
Painter and Ugly
by
Robert Blake
Illustrated by
Robert Blake
Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race.
2011
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
by
Kirby Larson
Based on a true story, Two Bobbies takes place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when many pets were lost or abandoned. A dog and cat wander together through the devastated city and miraculously survive hunger, floods and other dangers. When they are finally taken to an animal shelter, the volunteers discover that the cat is blind and could not have survived without the dog's help. Although their owner or owners are never found, the two friends, re-named Bob Cat and Bobbi, find a new home and a happy ending to their ordeal. The story includes an authors' note and a photograph of the real Bob Cat and Bobbi.
2010
Some Dog!
by
Mary Casanova
A stray dog moves into George's formerly peaceful home, dazzling the man and woman of the house with lively tricks and antics that just leave George exhausted.
2009
Hero Cat
by
Eileen Spinelli
A cat gives birth to a litter of kittens in an abandoned building that catches fire while she is out searching for food.
2007
Arrowhawk
by
Lola M. Schaefer
Based on the true story of a bird of prey's survival after being struck by a poacher's arrow.
2005
Epossumondas
by
Coleen Salley
A retelling of a classic tale in which a well-intentioned young possum continually takes his mother's instructions much too literally.
2004
Frog Principal
by
Stephanie Calmenson
After the principal of P.S. 88 is turned into a frog by a bumbling magician, the frog bargains for the chance to act as principal until Mr. Bundy returns from his "family emergency."
2002
Hooway for Wodney Wat
by
Helen Lester
All his classmates make fun of Rodney because he can't pronounce his name, but it is Rodney's speech impediment that drives away the class bully.
2000
Verdi
by
Janell Cannon
A young python does not want to grow slow and boring like the older snakes he sees in the tropical jungle where he lives.
1998
Heart of a Tiger
by
Marsha Arnold
As the Name Day celebration approaches, a young kitten tries to deserve a noble name, by following the path of the beautiful Bengal tiger.