We Need Diverse Books has announced the winners of the 2026 Walter Dean Myers Awards. They are given in two age categories. Here are the winning books and honor books:
YOUNGER READERS
WINNER
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
HONOR
All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
TEEN
WINNER
Champion by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld, and Ed Laroche
HONOR
King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The 2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner Is… – Texas Library Association
AI, KPop Demon Hunters, and the Rise of the Knock Off Book – ALSC
. . . But Make it Graphic Novel: 7 Upcoming Graphic Novel Adaptations of Beloved Books – 100 Scope Notes
Fall 2026 Children’s Sneak Previews – Publisher’s Weekly
Gruffalo family to expand in new Julia Donaldson book 27 years after original – The Independent
‘Imagine six impossible things before breakfast’: Star writer’s plan to inspire young readers – Sydney Morning Herald
Lester’s “Magic Beach” named Australia’s best children’s picture book – Books + Publishing
LIBRARIES
30 Years of E-Rate – American Libraries
Federal Funding for Libraries Prevails – ALA
Georgia librarians could face criminal charges for ‘harmful materials’ – Georgia Recorder
Grant guidelines for libraries and museums take “chilling” political turn under Trump – Salon
YA LIT
Q&A: L.S. Stratton, Author of ‘Sundown Girls’ – The Nerd Daily
The ten shortlisted titles in contention for Ireland’s 2026 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards have been announced. Here are the selected titles:
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat (available in US)
The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran (available in US)
Letters to a Monster by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde, illustrated by Sarah Warburton
My Name Is Jodie Jones by Emma Shevah
Puisín na mBróg by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue (available in US)
Solo by Gráinne O’Brien (available in US)
Stealing Happy by Brian Conaghan
This That What by Katy Ashworth, illustrated by Colleen Larmour
The Waters and the Wild by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by David Rooney
Bored by Felicita Sala
Rita was so bored. She was too bored to read or draw or think. She tried to surprise herself in the mirror and stretch so far that she could reach the top of her door. She couldn’t do either of those. Nothing else worked either. Rita wondered how many other people in the world were bored too. Perhaps, they could all get onto a bus that would take them to a special place just for bored people. Rita imagined that the bored people would fill up like balloons from everyone yawning so much and float into the sky. In the sky, they discover an island below them that is interesting and manage to land there. It’s boring there, but people start to invent things to do. Even Rita does. But that’s when her Mom calls and Rita might just be too busy to be bored now.
A playful yet wise look at boredom and how it can get your mind going in new directions that would not otherwise be explored. Rita and her boredom is itself a funny take filled with yawns, desperation and malaise. Her wild imaginative musings take the book in a new and colorful direction. The illustrations in the book work to show just how normal and dull Rita’s room and house are. They adjust beautifully as her imagination begins, the dull colors steadily changing.
Just the right book for kids who could use a little boredom. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Listen, Hippo! By Gabriel Evans
Billy was having a sad day. His friend Hippo thought he knew exactly what Billy needed. Dressing up! Billy tried to explain that it wasn’t helping, but Hippo had another idea. Perhaps dancing in the cherry blossoms or being up high in a tree. Billy tried again to explain. Hippo instead headed for a pirate ship but Billy felt seasick. Maybe magic carpets? Perhaps a party? Billy finally told Hippo that he just wanted Hippo to listen to him. So what did Hippo do next? Exactly that.
Evans builds up the tension as Hippo ignores Billy’s needs again and again. Using more and more outrageous responses that all seem to lead to costume changes, Hippo is invested in using fun to make (perhaps force) Billy to feel happy again. When the tension breaks, the best part is that Hippo is right there for Billy, creating and holding space for his feelings, not interrupting and offering a hug at just the right time. The art in this picture book has a marvelous timeless feel as does Hippo and his wild distractions. The pair together on a couch under a fuzzy blanket is sure to give even the saddest among us a little smile.
Get distracted by Hippo, stay for the heart-felt connection. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili
A small cat needs all the parts of its body, including a tail if they are willing to stand still to get one. A small cat needs to be able to run away and come back with a mouse. A small cat needs to eat, needs a place to have privacy. She needs to get wet in the rain, then protected from it. Perhaps a room with walls to stop the wind, and a window to watch the birds. She needs a door to wait at for someone to come home and hold her close.
There is so much charm in this Russian picture book that shows empathy and warmth for the small cat throughout. The book never veers into sentimentality, instead focusing on what the cat needs to survive and thrive in a cold and wet world. The text is lovely with moments of humor that will invite children to linger with this small cat. The illustrations are done in acrylic paint, watercolor pencil and digitally. They have a whimsical quality to them that matches the text, filled with softness even when dark and rainy.
A small delight of a picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
The Carnegies are the UK’s longest running children’s book awards. They offer two medals, one for illustration and one for writing. Here are the longlisted titles for 2026.
WRITING LONGLIST
Birdie by J. P. Rose
Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of “Yes!” by Joanna Nadin
Black Star by Kwame Alexander (available in US)
The Boy I Love by William Hussey
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Tim Miller (available in US)
Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn
Ghostlines by Katya Balen
Handle with Care by Louisa Reid
Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher
On the Wall by Anne Fine
Popcorn by Rob Harrell (available in US)
Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson
Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai (available in US)
The Spick and the Span by Pil Van Martin
Stealing Happy by Brian Conaghan
Traumaland by Josh Silver
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds (available in US)
When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri (publishing in US in April 2026)
Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien
ILLUSTRATOR LONGLIST
Be Back Soon illustrated by Jenny Bloomfield, written by Anna Wilson
Beanie and the Bansheenie illustrated by Steve McCarthy, written by Eoin Colfer (available in US)
The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please (available in US)
Coorie Doon illustrated by Jill Calder, written by Jackie Kay
Don’t Trust Fish illustrated by Dan Santat, written by Neil Sharpson (available in US)
The Endless Sea illustrated by Linh Dao, written by Chi Thai (available in US)
The Faerie Isle illustrated by Dermot Flynn, written by Síne Quinn
Fia and the Last Snow Deer illustrated by Dermot Flynn, written by Eilish Fisher
Freedom Braids illustrated by Oboh Moses, written by Monique Duncan (available in US)
Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel (available in US)
Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit (available in US)
Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel illustrated by Aimée de Jongh, written by Golding William
The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough by Rébecca Dautremer (available in US)
The Paper Bridge illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh, written by Joelle Veyrenc (available in US)
The Playdate illustrated by Clara Dackenberg, written by Uje Brandelius (available in US)
Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron (available in US)
The Sleeper Train illustrated by Baljinder Kaur, written by Mick Jackson (available in US)
Wiggling Words by Kate Rolfe
Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto (available in US)
Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
When Nuha visits Oman with her mother, she isn’t sure that she’s going to like it at all. Her grandmother feels like a stranger since they haven’t seen one another for three years. When Nuha accidentally leaves her favorite doll behind, her grandmother takes her to the souk to see if they can find a new doll together. Nuha isn’t thrilled to go and rejects the first dolls they find since they don’t have golden hair like her favorite doll. But soon she finds herself drawn into the souk, tasting some food, getting henna, making music, and watching the sun set over the sea. Nuha just might be ready for a brand new doll who looks like her and her grandmother.
This picture book is will speak to every child visiting a forgotten grandmother after some time away. Jadda’s patience with her reluctant granddaughter is beautifully shown and Nuha’s changing attitude happens organically and is very believable. Readers will also get to glimpse a souk and Akbari shares many of the sensory experiences to be had there. The illustrations are bright and friendly, filled with beautiful fabrics and colors of Oman.
A book worth visiting. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Mungo on His Own by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Julie Benbassat
Mungo the fox cub is still hungry after dinner, so he asks his mother if he can go out in the dark and go to the berry bush. This would be the first time he ever foraged on his own before. It was a windy night and sometimes the bushes looked like big animals. He had to cross the river using slippery stepping stones, and oops he was suddenly all wet. Then there was the road to cross with its large beasts that roared past. Hearing a frightening noise, Mungo hid in a hollow tree. He thought about going back home but then remembered all that his mother had taught him and started using his nose. He reached the berry bush when it started to snow, making his trip back magical.
This story will inspire children to head on their own adventures with their parents’ blessing. It is particularly important that Mungo faced not only imagined dangers but real ones like cold river water and cars. The mix of the two makes the book all the more effective as does Mungo’s mixed success at the variety of challenges that face him. It’s not perfect but he’s successful indeed. The illustrations celebrate night in the woods, offering just the right amount of darkness lit effectively by Mungo’s own red coat. They are a delightful mix of cute animals and potential danger.
A grand adventure with a sweet ending. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Suuban’s First Day by Shugri Salh, illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn
Suuban woke up and checked to see if her front teeth were loose, but they didn’t wiggle at all. Her mother wouldn’t let her herd the goats by herself until she lost her front teeth, probably four more months from now. Time passed slowly, but eventually four months passed and Suuban had practiced taking care of the goats and sheep in their yard. One of her teeth was still in her mouth, so Suuban solved it herself using a butting goat. Now she was ready! Suuban headed out to the termite mound, the farthest she was allowed to go. She kept a lookout for danger but eventually drifted off to sleep. Luckily, she woke up in time to save her baby goat from a wily fox. What will Suuban do next?
Set in the Somalian desert among the nomadic tribes, this picture book shows a different way of life than we have in America. The book shows the respect Suuban has for her parents, following their rules for what she is allowed to do. Yet she is still a child, learning from her mistakes and choices. The book takes its time as Suuban must wait for her teeth to loosen, sharing patience with the reader. The illustrations are key to understanding the lifestyle of the nomadic people, from their movable homes to their herding animals. It is captured with respect and beauty.
Patience, responsibility and a glimpse of a different way of life. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) has announced the shortlisted authors and illustrators for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award. The international award is given for lifetime achievement and continuing relevance. The winners will be announced in April at the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair. Here are the shortlisted creators:
WRITING
Ahmad Akbarpour (Iran)
María José Ferrada (Chile)
Timothée de Fombelle (France)
Lee Geum-yi (The Republic of Korea)
Pam Muñoz Ryan (US)
Michael Rosen (UK)
ILLUSTRATION
Beatrice Alemagna (Italy)
Linda Bondestam (Finland)
Cai Gao (China)
Gundega Muzikante (Latvia)
Walid Taher (Egypt)
María Wernicke (Argentina)
Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman
Brace yourself for a wild science fiction ride in this latest from the bestselling Kaufman. Cleo is a stowaway on Mars, trying to find a way to escape legal issues on Earth and forge a new life for herself. She has made it to Pax base but has been stuck there for months. Hunter is a member of the Graves family who were the first to populate Mars. No one knows that he is on Mars since he wanted to surprise his ultra-wealthy mother and sister. When a disaster hits the Pax complex, Cleo and Hunter are the only ones left onsite after mercenaries evacuate the base. The countdown is ticking, only 8 hours to stop them and manage to survive, perhaps together.
Kaufman has such a feel for pacing. In this novel, it is the smarts and ingenuity of the two main characters that save the day. Through clever use of the base’s infrastructure and software, the two of them manage to prank and isolate mercs as the clock winds down. The pacing is relentless, the setting wonderfully vivid, and the book reads like a movie. Add in the building connection and romance between the two characters, and you will root for them for a lot longer than the 8 hours they have.
A riotously good book on the red planet. Appropriate for ages 13+.
The shortlist for the 2026 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize has been announced. The UK award is given in several age ranges and the four shortlisted titles in each is below:
ILLUSTRATED BOOKS SHORTLIST
The Great Green Island by Becky Colvin
Milo and the Mountain by Jamie Carroll
My Rice Is Best by Selina Brown
Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron (available in US)
YOUNGER READERS SHORTLIST
Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree by Janeen Hayat
Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe
Unfairies by Huw Aaron (available in US)
Wildlands by Brogen Murphy
OLDER READERS SHORTLIST
And the River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun (available in US)
A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson (available in US)
Solo by Grainne O’Brien (available in US)
‘Til Death by Busayo Matuluko
Waking Brain Cells 