The finalists for the first Anna Dewdney Read Together Award have been announced by Penguin Young Readers, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader. The winner will be a picture book that is “both a superb read-aloud and also sparks compassion, empathy, and connection.” The award commemorates the late Anna Dewdney.

Here are the finalists:

 

Edward Gets Messy by Rita Meade, illustrated by Olga Stern

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson

 

Mother Bruce by Ryan Higgins

Toby by Hazel Mitchell

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Y