2026 CBI BOOK OF THE YEAR
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Adventures of Birdfrog: A Beautifully Illustrated Book of the In-Between World of Birdfrog
AUTHOR NAME: Robert Lodolce
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
Prepare to be entertained as you dive into the wildly imaginative and colorful world of Robert LoDolce’s alter ego, Birdfrog—a creation that walks the fine line between a children’s book and an edgy, offbeat adventure. Equal parts whimsical and unconventional, The Adventures of Birdfrog offers a playful yet slightly rebellious journey tha
Prepare to be entertained as you dive into the wildly imaginative and colorful world of Robert LoDolce’s alter ego, Birdfrog—a creation that walks the fine line between a children’s book and an edgy, offbeat adventure. Equal parts whimsical and unconventional, The Adventures of Birdfrog offers a playful yet slightly rebellious journey that appeals to readers of all ages.
LoDolce’s vivid imagination—fueled, as he humorously suggests, by an overindulgence in caffeine and waffles—brings this unique character to life through bold, expressive illustrations. While this is his second book, it marks his first foray into illustrated storytelling, following his earlier work, The Praying Atheist.
Raised on Long Island, where he still resides, LoDolce continues to create alongside his partner in crime, Debby, channeling his distinctive voice into a world that is as quirky as it is memorable.
2026 CBI CATEGORY WINNERS AND FINALISTS
ADVENTURE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Adventures of Birdfrog: A Beautifully Illustrated Book of the In-Between World of Birdfrog
AUTHOR NAME: Robert Lodolce
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Jabari and the Shady Shortcut
AUTHOR NAME: Lemar O. Archer
PUBLISHER NAME: Brer Anancy Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Captain Olivia and the Treasure of Kindness
AUTHOR NAME: Chris McKenna
PUBLISHER NAME: Chris McKenna
FULL BOOK TITLE: Royce Saves the Day, A Magic Propeller Cap Adventure
AUTHOR NAME: Mary Nielsen
PUBLISHER NAME: Tiny Paws Printing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Adventures of a Little Red Sock
AUTHOR NAME: ENRICO C. BONATTI
PUBLISHER NAME: UNPUBLISHED
FULL BOOK TITLE: Paradise Uncharted: The Island of Lost Children (A Learning Adventure for Youth)
AUTHOR NAME: J. Robert Howard
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished Manuscript
FULL BOOK TITLE: Trapped
AUTHOR NAME: Bella Olson
PUBLISHER NAME: BenBella Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil
AUTHOR NAME: Michael J. Bowler
PUBLISHER NAME: Michael Bowler
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Extraordinary Life of Elliott Duck
AUTHOR NAME: Mark Dantzler
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Spirit of the Falcon
AUTHOR NAME: Debbie Schrack
PUBLISHER NAME: Debbie Schrack
ANIMALS/PETS
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Extraordinary Life of Elliott Duck
AUTHOR NAME: Mark Dantzler
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Chillie’s Big Adventure
AUTHOR NAME: Jim Olheiser
PUBLISHER NAME: Dakota Kota Publishing LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Lizzie and Her White-Tipped Tail: A London Story
AUTHOR NAME: IGOR REBENOK
PUBLISHER NAME: UNPUBLISHED
FULL BOOK TITLE: Brutus Finds a Monster
AUTHOR NAME: Tif E. Boots
PUBLISHER NAME: ShelteringTree.Earth, LLC Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Floo Flocky Doo to The Rescue
AUTHOR NAME: David L. Gillespie
PUBLISHER NAME: Trsutmark Enterprise LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Pitty the Kitty, the Magic Collar
AUTHOR NAME: Mary Nielsen
PUBLISHER NAME: Tiny Paws Printing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Texas Law Dogs The Case of June the Raccoon
AUTHOR NAME: Shannon D. Christensen
PUBLISHER NAME: CS Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Little Joe and the Big City
AUTHOR NAME: Mike Darcy
PUBLISHER NAME: Lilbuda Creations
FULL BOOK TITLE: At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride
AUTHOR NAME: Freya Novak
PUBLISHER NAME: Freya Novak
FULL BOOK TITLE: Red and Me
AUTHOR NAME: Terry Lee Caruthers
PUBLISHER NAME: Star Bright Books
ART
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Let’s Play ‘I Spy Bugs!’
AUTHOR NAME: Nanette Hanna
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
BEDTIME
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Shine as Bright as a Firefly
AUTHOR NAME: Neetu Kaur Deol Jhaj
PUBLISHER NAME: Halo Publishing International
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Wish the World Was Made of Oranges
AUTHOR NAME: Beth Drew
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Welcome Baby Wigglet!
AUTHOR NAME: A.M. Berkowitz
PUBLISHER NAME: BookBaby
FULL BOOK TITLE: Floo Flocky Doo to The Rescue
AUTHOR NAME: David L. Gillespie
PUBLISHER NAME: Trsutmark Enterprise LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Flo the Quokka
AUTHOR NAME: Larry Gilbert
PUBLISHER NAME: Flo the Quokka, LLC
BEST COVER DESIGN-FICTION
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Letters Never Read
AUTHOR NAME: Ziqi Liu
PUBLISHER NAME: Children Pay Children
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Duck & the Seagull: A Tale of Two Friends
AUTHOR NAME: Dr. B.F. Battistoli
PUBLISHER NAME Pegasus Publishers
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Crayon Caper
AUTHOR NAME: Katie Baron
PUBLISHER NAME: Archer Dog Books
BEST COVER DESIGN-NON-FICTION
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Midwife Wha?!
AUTHOR NAME: Jo Zasloff
PUBLISHER NAME: Nettle Wellness Press
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Don’t Wake the Dragon
AUTHOR NAME: Craig Ohlau
PUBLISHER NAME: Craig Ohlau
CHAPTER BOOK
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Trapped
AUTHOR NAME: Bella Olson
PUBLISHER NAME: BenBella Books
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Mystery of the Sparkling Compass
AUTHOR NAME: Monica Swope
PUBLISHER NAME: Learning Dimensions
FULL BOOK TITLE: Elliot & Bo in Icyland
AUTHOR NAME: Agatha Georges
PUBLISHER NAME: The Magic Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Crayon Caper
AUTHOR NAME: Katie Baron
PUBLISHER NAME: Archer Dog Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: Red and Me
AUTHOR NAME: Terry Lee Caruthers
PUBLISHER NAME: Star Bright Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Last Ayer
AUTHOR NAME: J.E. Rogers
PUBLISHER NAME: AHA Publishers
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: THE BOOK OF KINDNESS
AUTHOR NAME: EGOR KLOPENKO
PUBLISHER NAME: AMAZON KDP
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Toys Come Alive
AUTHOR NAME: Evelyn Wong
PUBLISHER NAME: The Graceful Swan
FULL BOOK TITLE: WE ARE DIFFERENT BUT A LOT ALIKE
AUTHOR NAME: Linda Guest-Peters
PUBLISHER NAME: Page Publishing, INC.
FULL BOOK TITLE: GOOSIE’S GOLDEN GIFTS
AUTHOR NAME: RIYANIKA SHANKAR
PUBLISHER NAME: UNPUBLISHED
FULL BOOK TITLE: Bentley Finds a Hippopotomonsterous
AUTHOR NAME: Miki Taylor
PUBLISHER NAME: Taylor & Co. Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Duck & the Seagull: A Tale of Two Friends
AUTHOR NAME: Dr. B.F. Battistoli
PUBLISHER NAME Pegasus Publishers
FULL BOOK TITLE: Digger: Dig or Die!
AUTHOR NAME: Deborah Cholette
PUBLISHER NAME: One Elm Books, an imprint of Red Chair Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: THERE IS SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT ed: A Gentle Introduction to Mental Health and Eating Disorders
AUTHOR NAME: Monique Stokvis
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Where Beau the Beach Bunny Burrows
AUTHOR NAME: Lolisa Marie Monroe
PUBLISHER NAME: Miss Lolisa’s Tales & Tails
FULL BOOK TITLE: BLOOM
AUTHOR NAME: Danielle E. Ramsay
PUBLISHER NAME: KDP
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly
AUTHOR NAME: Harker Jones
PUBLISHER NAME: Self-published
FULL BOOK TITLE: Cedrick the Sad Rock
AUTHOR NAME: Brandy Mincer
PUBLISHER NAME Brandy Mincer, Author
FULL BOOK TITLE: Jade the Judge: Who Works With You
AUTHOR NAME: Shequitta Kelly-Joubert
PUBLISHER NAME: Jeniro Agency
EDUCATIONAL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Too Much Quiet!
AUTHOR NAME: Kottie Christie-Blick
PUBLISHER NAME: NSTA Press and NSTA Kids
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Ethan and the Seven Chakras
AUTHOR NAME: Yvette Farkas
PUBLISHER NAME: Singing Soul Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: Will My Haircut Hurt? ¿Me Dolerá el Corte de Pelo?
AUTHOR NAME: Martha Goldner
PUBLISHER NAME: Xlibris US
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Only Eat Pizza
AUTHOR NAME: Benita L. Gibson
PUBLISHER NAME: Tattoon Kids
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tales Retold: Freedom’s Eve
AUTHOR NAME: Dawn Caldwell
PUBLISHER NAME: Baby Crow, an imprint of Colorful Crow Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Coronary Arteries
AUTHOR NAME: Michael Dow, RN, MS
PUBLISHER NAME: Dow Creative Enterprises
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Kinney Clay: The Poem, The Story, The History
AUTHOR NAME: Richard Wittie
PUBLISHER NAME: Palmetto Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Vinnie’s Tour of the Universe
AUTHOR NAME: Elizabeth Zhang
PUBLISHER NAME: Independently published
FULL BOOK TITLE: Midwife Wha?!
AUTHOR NAME: Jo Zasloff
PUBLISHER NAME: Nettle Wellness Press
FABLE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Mr. Fox Sells Pockets
AUTHOR NAME: Mark Dantzler
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Bookworm
AUTHOR NAME: Beth Drew
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: GOOSIE’S GOLDEN GIFTS
AUTHOR NAME: RIYANIKA SHANKAR
PUBLISHER NAME: UNPUBLISHED
FULL BOOK TITLE: Lizzie and Her White-Tipped Tail: A London Story
AUTHOR NAME: IGOR REBENOK
PUBLISHER NAME: UNPUBLISHED
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Story of Chris the Toiler and Andy the Drifter
AUTHOR NAME: Takamasa Ogasawara
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Big Ears Jack and Friends
AUTHOR NAME: Earl Vincent de Berge
PUBLISHER NAME: Earl Vincent de Berge
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Song Only Kofi Could Sing
AUTHOR NAME: Philip Essienyi
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FAIRY TALE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Pixie Dust and Other Dangerous Things
AUTHOR NAME: Jessica Brenner
PUBLISHER NAME: Journey Institute Press (Fall 2026)
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tooth Fairy Jerry
AUTHOR NAME: Avery, Mason, Lauren & Michael Powell
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Where Beau the Beach Bunny Burrows
AUTHOR NAME: Lolisa Marie Monroe
PUBLISHER NAME: Miss Lolisa’s Tales & Tails
FANTASY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Ray Taylor and the Torn and Tattered Treasure Map
AUTHOR NAME: N.Degen
PUBLISHER NAME: N.Degen
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Hidden world of Dystopia
AUTHOR NAME: Divyanka Verma
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Nebula Strikes Back (nebula pt 3)
AUTHOR NAME: Riya Goswami
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods
AUTHOR NAME: Jabril Yousef Faraj
PUBLISHER NAME: DANK ONION
FULL BOOK TITLE: Return of the Nebula (Nebula pt 2)
AUTHOR NAME: Riya Goswami
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Pixie Dust and Other Dangerous Things
AUTHOR NAME: Jessica Brenner
PUBLISHER NAME: Journey Institute Press (Fall 2026)
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Boy Who Lives on Prickinjer Place
AUTHOR NAME: Ann Fleming
PUBLISHER NAME: Kahu Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Vetala Zone: December and Friday’s Zombie Cruise
AUTHOR NAME: Sebastian Strange
PUBLISHER NAME: Sebastian Strange
FULL BOOK TITLE: Adventures of Fairies and Dragons
AUTHOR NAME: Nancy Benson
PUBLISHER NAME: AuthorHouse
FICTION-GENERAL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Dreams Factory
AUTHOR NAME: Bashir Bashir
PUBLISHER NAME: Independently Published
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Doña Basura Manda: en una Tierra Llena
AUTHOR NAME: Martha Goldner
PUBLISHER NAME: Xlibris US
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tales Retold: Freedom’s Eve
AUTHOR NAME: Dawn Caldwell
PUBLISHER NAME: Baby Crow, an imprint of Colorful Crow Publishing
FOLKLORE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Jabari and the Shady Shortcut
AUTHOR NAME: Lemar O. Archer
PUBLISHER NAME: Brer Anancy Press
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Hayrik and Little Fox
AUTHOR NAME: Tatevik Shakhkulyan
PUBLISHER NAME: KaytArt Production
HISTORICAL FICTION
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Seeds of Rebellion
AUTHOR NAME: Wendy M. Neugent
PUBLISHER NAME: SWH Media, LLC
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Bella’s Tales of History: America’s Secret Friend Bernardo de Galvez
AUTHOR NAME: Deb Evans
PUBLISHER NAME: Deb Evans Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: Finding Sea Legs
AUTHOR NAME: Shannon Mulholland
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Derailed
AUTHOR NAME: Kathryn Cryan-Hicks
PUBLISHER NAME: School Street Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Dumplings and Dreams
AUTHOR NAME: Hillary Aimee Srijaya
PUBLISHER NAME: CV. The Enrichment Lab
HOLIDAY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Time to Shine-A Filipino American Family Story
AUTHOR NAME: Stephanie Vivit Lehmann
PUBLISHER NAME: Pamilya Press LLC
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: A Child's Dream: Santa's Parking Ticket & an Empty Sled
AUTHOR NAME: Anita Yates
PUBLISHER NAME: Appalachian Ace
FULL BOOK TITLE: When Fred the Snake and Friends Go Camping
AUTHOR NAME: Peter Cotton
PUBLISHER NAME: Bublish
HUMOR
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane
AUTHOR NAME: K.E. Lewis
PUBLISHER NAME: Harper Collins
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Renzo’s Botty Rocket
AUTHOR NAME: Gillen & Laura Townshend
PUBLISHER NAME: Happy Heart Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU!
AUTHOR NAME: Ash Mash
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Mr. Fox Sells Pockets
AUTHOR NAME: Mark Dantzler
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Deadpan
AUTHOR NAME: Harold Eppley
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: A Cat For Dinner
AUTHOR NAME: Ava Barry
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Suzy and Roxy Go Camping
AUTHOR NAME: Katie Saucedo
PUBLISHER NAME: Babooky
FULL BOOK TITLE: Owl Be Seeing You (a Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure)
AUTHOR NAME: Susan Marie Chapman
PUBLISHER NAME: Gourmet Dog LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: 1 2 3 Ding Ding Ding!
AUTHOR NAME: Moises D. Rodriguez
PUBLISHER NAME: WestBow Press
INTERACTIVE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Hayrik and Little Fox
AUTHOR NAME: Tatevik Shakhkulyan
PUBLISHER NAME: KaytArt Production
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Alex the Bull Rider (Riding Bulls from A – Z)
AUTHOR NAME: AL LEAL
PUBLISHER NAME: VICTORY PUBLISHERS
FULL BOOK TITLE: There Was a Tenacious Teacher Who Scarfed Down a Sticker
AUTHOR NAME: Patty York Raymond
PUBLISHER NAME: Davica Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Charley’s New Friend
AUTHOR NAME: M.a. Wenger, Wendy B. (Author), Djacson Stvil (Illustrator)
PUBLISHER NAME: Halo Publishing International
FULL BOOK TITLE: Blue Bubble Gum
AUTHOR NAME: Martha Goldner
PUBLISHER NAME: Xlibris US
INSPIRATIONAL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Not Sorry To Be Me
AUTHOR NAME: Vicki Bentley and Isla Bentley
PUBLISHER NAME: Torn Curtain Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Time to Shine-A Filipino American Family Story
AUTHOR NAME: Stephanie Vivit Lehmann
PUBLISHER NAME: Pamilya Press LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Deadpan
AUTHOR NAME: Harold Eppley
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Rewilding
AUTHOR NAME: Lisa Gerlits
PUBLISHER NAME: One Elm Books, an imprint of Red Chair Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: THERE IS SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT ed: A Gentle Introduction to Mental Health and Eating Disorders
AUTHOR NAME: Monique Stokvis
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Idea Maker's Big Adventure
AUTHOR NAME: Anjali Ayyappadas Priji
PUBLISHER NAME: Anjali Ayyappadas Priji
FULL BOOK TITLE: Little Lola and Her Big Dream
AUTHOR NAME: Teri M. Brown
PUBLISHER NAME: TMB Creations LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Wagon of Worries
AUTHOR NAME: Ruthie Godfrey
PUBLISHER NAME: Ruthie Godfrey Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: My Magical Mindset
AUTHOR NAME: Allison Joy
PUBLISHER NAME: Boys Town Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Shine as Bright as a Firefly
AUTHOR NAME: Neetu Kaur Deol Jhaj
PUBLISHER NAME: Halo Publishing International
FULL BOOK TITLE: If I Were A Butterfly
AUTHOR NAME: MM MYERS
PUBLISHER NAME: Firestorm Publishing LLC
LEGACY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tattler Tales: Vonnie and Fussy, Girl Reporters
AUTHOR NAME: J. Lee Fleming
PUBLISHER NAME: Westbow Press
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Little Candle
AUTHOR NAME: Daniel Collins
PUBLISHER NAME: Trafford Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Active Book of Monsters: A Bedtime Story
AUTHOR NAME: Craig Ohlau
PUBLISHER NAME: Craig Ohlau
LGBTQ
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Midwife Wha?!
AUTHOR NAME: Jo Zasloff
PUBLISHER NAME: Nettle Wellness Press
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Keesha Luz and Her Magic Eyes: Keesha Helps Her Brother
AUTHOR NAME: Bonnie Strahs and Cheryl Lee-Owens
PUBLISHER NAME: Mindstir Media
MULTICULTURAL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: WHEN I WAS YOUNG IN KOREA
AUTHOR NAME: Minkyung Jeong
PUBLISHER NAME: Pubple (in South Korea), Independently Published through Amazon KDP (globally)
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Time to Shine-A Filipino American Family Story
AUTHOR NAME: Stephanie Vivit Lehmann
PUBLISHER NAME: Pamilya Press LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Borhan
AUTHOR NAME: Zinah Al Helfy
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Island of Yaki Yim Bamboo
AUTHOR NAME: Fred Rohan-Vargas and Millicent F. Arrindell
PUBLISHER NAME: Mixing It Up Productions, LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Shine as Bright as a Firefly
AUTHOR NAME: Neetu Kaur Deol Jhaj
PUBLISHER NAME: Halo Publishing International
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Song Only Kofi Could Sing
AUTHOR NAME: Philip Essienyi
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
MYSTERY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: August Rain
AUTHOR NAME: Marlo Holly
PUBLISHER NAME: Balboa Press
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Finding Sea Legs
AUTHOR NAME: Shannon Mulholland
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Magical Farm Mysteries: Bubble Gum Rocks
AUTHOR NAME: A.M. Berkowitz
PUBLISHER NAME: BookBaby
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Crayon Caper
AUTHOR NAME: Katie Baron
PUBLISHER NAME: Archer Dog Books
NATURE
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: All that Glitters is not GOLD: A children’s story about glitter, microplastics, and protecting Alaska’s rivers
AUTHOR NAME: Emily Brubaker
PUBLISHER NAME: Emily Brubaker
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Big Ears Jack and Friends
AUTHOR NAME: Earl Vincent de Berge
PUBLISHER NAME: Earl Vincent de Berge
FULL BOOK TITLE: The little Seed and the Wind
AUTHOR NAME: Maritha Pocorni-Humphries
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Borhan
AUTHOR NAME: Zinah Al Helfy
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Elliot & Bo in Icyland
AUTHOR NAME: Agatha Georges
PUBLISHER NAME: The Magic Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Too Much Quiet!
AUTHOR NAME: Kottie Christie-Blick
PUBLISHER NAME: NSTA Press and NSTA Kids
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef
AUTHOR NAME: Blair Northen Williamson
PUBLISHER NAME: Genius Cat Books
NONFICTION-GENERAL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: I LOVE YOU, GRANDMA SHARON! Brooke and Grandma’s Days with Parkinson’s
AUTHOR NAME: Dr George Ackerman (Father) & Brooke Ackerman (Daughter)
PUBLISHER NAME: TogetherForSharon®
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Book of Maps: search & find adventures around the world
AUTHOR NAME: Evi Triantafyllides ILLUSTRATOR & MAP CREATOR: Jordan Sondler
PUBLISHER NAME: Worldwide Buddies
FULL BOOK TITLE: All that Glitters is not GOLD: A children’s story about glitter, microplastics, and protecting Alaska’s rivers
AUTHOR NAME: Emily Brubaker
PUBLISHER NAME: Self Published
PARENTING AND FAMILY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Mama Carries the House
AUTHOR NAME: Zinah Al Helfy
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Flo the Quokka
AUTHOR NAME: Larry Gilbert
PUBLISHER NAME: Flo the Quokka, LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Leo & Lou: When We Grow Up
AUTHOR NAME: James Whitmer
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tricky Pickle Carrot Cake
AUTHOR NAME: Brytta H Fitzgibbons
PUBLISHER NAME: Xlibris US
FULL BOOK TITLE: Goodnight, Wiggles
AUTHOR NAME: Destany B. Stevens
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Brave Enough – Atlan and the Farm Animals
AUTHOR NAME: Bowe Balhoff
PUBLISHER NAME: The Word Verve
FULL BOOK TITLE: What If Roxy
AUTHOR NAME: Jessica Ann
PUBLISHER NAME: KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Polar Bear in the Closet
AUTHOR NAME: Tracey Sullivan
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Will My Haircut Hurt? ¿Me Dolerá el Corte de Pelo?
AUTHOR NAME: Martha Goldner
PUBLISHER NAME: Xlibris Us
PICTURE BOOK
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!
AUTHOR NAME: Jeff Dorrill
PUBLISHER NAME: Blue Balloon Books
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Garden in Me: The Nature of Emotions & the Beauty of Feelings
AUTHOR NAME: Nalina Siva
PUBLISHER NAME: KDP
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tall as the Sun
AUTHOR NAME: Stephanie Henson
PUBLISHER NAME: Watchful Wizard Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Imagine and Daydream-Mindfulness Imagine and Daydream-Calmness
AUTHOR NAME: Fiorita Di Palma
PUBLISHER NAME: Self-Published
FULL BOOK TITLE: I’ll Be This, You’ll Be That!
AUTHOR NAME: MANSI SHARMA
PUBLISHER NAME: KDP
FULL BOOK TITLE: Dirt Dog Invites Prissy Poodle to the Prom, Dirt Dog and Friends Series
AUTHOR NAME: Lisa M. Pritchard
PUBLISHER NAME: Abundance Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: Skinny Katie and Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie
AUTHOR NAME: Paul Bullock
PUBLISHER NAME: Self Published by PBNB International
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Magical Wooden Chair
AUTHOR NAME: Judy Haveson
PUBLISHER NAME: J Press Books
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Always Knew We Were Meant For You
AUTHOR NAME: Michelle Gillitzer
PUBLISHER NAME: Balboa Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Growing Up is Hard to Do Part 1 (a Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure) AUTHOR NAME: Susan Marie Chapman
PUBLISHER NAME: Gourmet Dog LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride
AUTHOR NAME: Freya Novak
PUBLISHER NAME: Freya Novak
FULL BOOK TITLE: Ringo the Ginkgo
AUTHOR NAME: Arshak Martirosyan
PUBLISHER NAME: Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: Peter Plumber's Perfect Plan
AUTHOR NAME: Mika Samuelle
PUBLISHER NAME: Mika Samuelle / Woodland Pond Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Sweet Potato
AUTHOR NAME: Susan Marie Chapman
PUBLISHER NAME: Gourmet Dog LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Friendship Garden
AUTHOR NAME: Klarisse Monje
PUBLISHER NAME: Klarisse Monje
FULL BOOK TITLE: Floo Flocky Doo to The Rescue
AUTHOR NAME: David L. Gillespie
PUBLISHER NAME: Trsutmark Enterprise LLC
POETRY
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: When Will I Ever Learn – 60 Humorous and Teachable Poems for Kids
AUTHOR NAME: Lynn Marceau
PUBLISHER NAME: Lynn Marceau
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Fabemol Hears the Heart: A Story About Listening and Empathy
AUTHOR NAME: Mary Ann Domanska
PUBLISHER NAME: Chalk & Wonder Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: Skinny Katie and Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie
AUTHOR NAME: Paul Bullock
PUBLISHER NAME: Self Published by PBNB International
FULL BOOK TITLE: Live Free or Diet: A Holistic Guide to Finding Faith, Freedom, and Abundant Life AUTHOR NAME: Kurt Bravata M.D.
PUBLISHER NAME: WestBow Press
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Boy Who Lives on Prickinjer Place
AUTHOR NAME: Ann Fleming
PUBLISHER NAME: Kahu Publishing
REALISTIC FICTION
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Deadpan
AUTHOR NAME: Harold Eppley
PUBLISHER NAME: Orange Hat Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Paradise Uncharted: The Island of Lost Children (A Learning Adventure for Youth) AUTHOR NAME: J. Robert Howard (James R. Howard)
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: The little Seed and the Wind
AUTHOR NAME: Maritha Pocorni-Humphries
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Time to Shine-A Filipino American Family Story
AUTHOR NAME: Stephanie Vivit Lehmann
PUBLISHER NAME: Pamilya Press LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Growing Pains: Courage Comes with Growing Pains
AUTHOR NAME: Betts Arney
PUBLISHER NAME: GAB Publishing
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Letters Never Read
AUTHOR NAME: Ziqi Liu
PUBLISHER NAME: Children Pay Children
FULL BOOK TITLE: Joe Wala the Keeper
AUTHOR NAME: Molly J. Hoffman
PUBLISHER NAME: Molly J. Hoffman
FULL BOOK TITLE: Forgotten Secrets of the Tuscarora Eye: A Hannah Hallie Hawkins History Mystery
AUTHOR NAME: D.L. Bush
PUBLISHER NAME: D.L. Bush
FULL BOOK TITLE: Mathu’s Day with Appachen
AUTHOR NAME: Soumya Thomas
PUBLISHER NAME: Soumya Thomas
RELIGIOUS
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The New Adventures of Frankie and Abby: A Committed Heart
AUTHOR NAME: Jannean HedgeSpeth
PUBLISHER NAME: Enhanced DNA Publishing
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart
AUTHOR NAME: Ellen Kolman
PUBLISHER NAME: Prolific Pulse Press LLC
FULL BOOK TITLE: Gigi Butterfly
AUTHOR NAME: Tiffanie Ronette
PUBLISHER NAME: Paramount Book Publishing
SCIENCE FICTION
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: STAR-FIRE
AUTHOR NAME: Kelly Yu
PUBLISHER NAME: Children Pay Children
SPORTS
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: Line Em’ Up
AUTHOR NAME: Oscar Avery
PUBLISHER NAME: Oscar Avery
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Jimmy The Caddy
AUTHOR NAME: John Potthoff
PUBLISHER NAME: John Potthoff
FULL BOOK TITLE: Alex the Bull Rider (Riding Bulls from A – Z)
AUTHOR NAME: AL LEAL
PUBLISHER NAME: VICTORY PUBLISHERS
FULL BOOK TITLE: All The President’s Ballplayers
AUTHOR NAME: Timothy Dinan
PUBLISHER NAME: Timothy Dinan
TRAVEL
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Book of Maps: search & find adventures around the world
AUTHOR NAME: Evi Triantafyllides ILLUSTRATOR & MAP CREATOR: Jordan Sondler
PUBLISHER NAME: Worldwide Buddies
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: The little Seed and the Wind
AUTHOR NAME: Maritha Pocorni-Humphries
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: When Fred the Snake and Friends Go Camping
AUTHOR NAME: Peter Cotton
PUBLISHER NAME: Bublish
FULL BOOK TITLE: Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane
AUTHOR NAME: K.E. Lewis
PUBLISHER NAME: Harper Collins
FULL BOOK TITLE: I Can Go Anywhere: National Parks
AUTHOR NAME: Karissa Nix
PUBLISHER NAME: Archway Publishing
YOUNG ADULT
YOUNG ADULT
WINNER
FULL BOOK TITLE: CodeSkull
AUTHOR NAME: Chloe Spencer
PUBLISHER NAME: Mad Axe Media
FINALISTS
FULL BOOK TITLE: Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods
AUTHOR NAME: Jabril Yousef Faraj
PUBLISHER NAME: DANK ONION
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Letters Never Read
AUTHOR NAME: Ziqi Liu
PUBLISHER NAME: Children Pay Children
FULL BOOK TITLE: Storms and Whispers: The Captain’s Legacy
AUTHOR NAME: Patrick Bordes
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished
FULL BOOK TITLE: Beyond Superhero School: Let The Games Begin!
AUTHOR NAME: Gracie Dix
PUBLISHER NAME: Amazon KDP
FULL BOOK TITLE: The Trail To Twilight For The Gods
AUTHOR NAME: Ben Klotz
PUBLISHER NAME: AuthorHouse
FULL BOOK TITLE: Tissiack: A Sierran Siren
AUTHOR NAME: Charles Weeden
PUBLISHER NAME: Independently published
FULL BOOK TITLE: Paradise Uncharted: The Island of Lost Children (A Learning Adventure for Youth)
AUTHOR NAME: J. Robert Howard
PUBLISHER NAME: Unpublished Manuscript
2027 Children's Book International (CBI)-One-Category
$29.00
A single-category Book Submission qualifies a piece for a category prize as well as "Book of the Year" consideration. A full list of our 38 categories is available below or on page 3 of the entry form.
$29 per title/per category ✨ PROMO ✨
(Example: One book in two categories equals $58.00--requires separate $29 transactions)
Deadline to Enter--March 14, 2027
Announcement of Prizes--April 2, 2027 *International Children's Book Day
2027 CATEGORIES
OFFICIAL 2027 AWA CHILDREN'S BOOK INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
Did you know we have a unique category for OLDER children's books? The Legacy category accepts books older than 4 years. Give your timeless book a chance at an award. Check out our full list of categories.
-Adventure
-Animals/Pets
-Art
-Bedtime
-Best Cover Design-Fiction
-Best Cover Design-Nonfiction
-Biography
-Board Book
-Chapter Book
-Children’s Literature
-Early Readers
-Educational
-Fable
-Fairy Tale
-Fantasy
-Fiction-General
-Folklore
-Graphic Novel
-Historical Fiction
-Historical Nonfiction
-Holiday
-Humor
-Interactive
-Inspirational
-Legacy
-LGBTQ
-Middle Grade
-Multicultural
-Mystery
-Nature
-Nonfiction-General
-Parenting and Family
-Picture Book
-Poetry
-Realistic Fiction
-Religious
-Science Fiction
-Sports
-Travel
-Young Adult
WHY US?
Children's Book International was created to provide an avenue of recognition and pride for children's book authors, illustrators and publishers all over the world. We pride ourselves in offering the most inclusive, affordable and influential award competitions and services available to authors, illustrators and publishers worldwide. These awards and services provided through our popular website--ranked 98/100 on website traffic and user interaction--are perfect promotional vessels to help launch careers, open markets, and compete on the global stage. Our team is ALWAYS here to support you, answer any questions, and provide a most fulfilling experience. Children's Book International is unique as it offers small presses, academic presses, micro presses, self-publishers, unpublished manuscripts, and even "Big 5" publishers, illustrators and authors a chance to compete in the same arena for the same prize. Entry fees are always low--well below the industry standard for competitions of a similar caliber, and there are multiple categories for entry--any author or publisher can nominate one or more of their books for an award, in multiple categories--a full list of AWA Children's Book International categories can be found either above or on page 1 of the entry form. All entrants submit their book digitally, as a PDF or eBook--avoiding the expenses and headaches of traditional mail. Our team of expert judges--Industry Professionals, Authors, Artists, Illustrators, College Professors--assesses your work in a fair and competent manner. Entries are judged based on multiple criteria, which include an author's story-telling ability, illustrations, relevance, characters, engagement of the text, grammar, punctuation, and overall impact and enduring theme of the book. Each year, authors and publishers release extraordinary books to little or no recognition. Children's Book International recognizes excellence in all types of publishing and in every genre. A SINGLE-CATEGORY REGISTRATION gives you TWO WAYS TO WIN—by genre category and the prize of Book of the Year. There is a category for every book. The least expensive way to promote your book is with point-of-sale award recognition and press coverage. We are your chance to get noticed and we are dedicated to awarding excellence. You’ve put tremendous time and energy into your work and by winning an award, you permanently build your credibility as an established author. Register now and get your work the attention it deserves.
