TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 

BLUEBONNET AWARD ANNOUNCED!

FIRST PLACE

The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale 

written and illustrated by Charly Palmer 

 A picture book tall tale about a neighborhood basketball hero!

SECOND PLACE

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza 

by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Shawn Harris

EEK! Rats are eating the moon! Who are you going to call? A Cat of course! Meet the cat and see if he can save the world in this middle grade graphic novel.

 

THIRD PLACE

Gladys The Magic Chicken 

by Adam Rubin; illustrated by Adam Rex

Travel back in time to ancient days and meet Gladys the chicken who unexpectedly finds herself on an epic journey. Then you can answer the question - is Gladys really a magic chicken who can make wishes come true?

 

 HAPPY 2024!

 Looking for concept books for your favorite Toddler/preK/K little? Uh-oh! Rabbit is a fun introduction to up and down for toddlers. There are currently three Rabbit books by Jo Ham. Before, Now and Kitty & Cat Bent Out of Shape take learning opposites and shapes to a slightly higher level. Catside Up, Catside Down looks at prepositions with knitted cats! And How to Count to 1 is a very unique and interactive counting book. The four middle grade books were all delightful. Squire & Knight is a graphic novel. Alebrijes is a rather unique dystopian science fiction. Nothing Else But Miracles is historical fiction - World War 2 time frame in New York City. And Once There Was is a wonderful realistic fantastical mystery filled with magical creatures and a feisty fifteen year old girl named Marjan. I hope you find lots of books to love in February!

                          

 

  

   

  

  

 MORE AWARDS

 

 ROBERT F. SIBERT MEDAL 

(AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN NON-FICTION)

 

The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and The Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

This is a really great book. I learned a lot reading it and the writing style is very accessible.

 

The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery; illustrated by Matt Patterson (I LOVE Sy Montgomery and I am thrilled she won an honor for this book)

Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Shannon Wright

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan Beautiful book! Don't let the word "spider" scare you away from this one.

Shipwrecked: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler 

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD

presented for excellence of portrayal of the disability experience in literature for youth - one for young children; one for middle grade; one for teens

 

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey; illustrated by Mika Song

The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

Forever Is Now by Mariana J. Lockington 

And a few honors -

 

Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language by Joanna Que, Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez, translated by Karen Llagas

What Happened to YOU? by James Catchpole; illustrated by Karen George

Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest 

Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings

Did you know that ALA Youth Media Awards include Digital Media?

There were two winners this year - Work It Out Wombats! and Jamming on the Job. Wombats is WGBH but airs on PBS Kids. And Jamming is a PBS production. They both look amazing.