KIDS' BOOK AWARDS

More than 125 junior reviewers (and their families) chose these winning books from more than 200 selections nominated by an expert panel of librarians and literacy experts. With picks ranging from interactive fairy tales to fact-filled science stories that will satisfy their curiosity, these page-turners will surprise and delight kids from toddlers to tweens.

- KAREN CICERO

BOARD

Roar! I’m a Dinosaur 

written and illustrated by Merrill Rainey 

An introductory book about dinos wows kids with eye cutouts to peek through. With the pages facing out, they can peer through the holes and pretend to be a T. rex, a stegosaurus or another featured creature. The simple but effective rhyming text highlights a fact about each species. Ages 0 to 4

Tester Note: “I would read the sentence about the dinosaur and then flip the book to peer out at my son. He. Loved. It. I couldn’t believe it,” said one reviewer.

Sunrise Dance 

by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated by Teagan White 

A delightful story about how rabbits, bear cubs, wrens and other animals playfully start their day makes for a sweet read over breakfast. Eight durable elements, including a wheel and pull tabs, add a hands-on component for toddlers. There’s also a nighttime companion book, Moonlight Prance, featuring nocturnal animals. Ages 0 to 3

Tester Note: “My girls learned a lot about nature from Sunrise Dance, which is saying a lot, because we’re very into nature!” said a mom of three.