Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award 2018 Nominees

2018 Winner & Nominees

2018 Winner

My Friend Maggie

written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison
published by Dial Books

Age Range: 4-8 Years

Paula and Maggie have been friends forever. Paula thinks Maggie is the best—until mean girl Veronica says otherwise. Suddenly, Paula starts to notice that Maggie is big and clumsy, and her clothes are sort of snuggish. Luckily, when Veronica turns on Paula, Maggie’s true colors shine through.

2018 Nominees

Always Remember

written by Cece Meng
illustrated by Jago
published by Philomel Books

Age Range: 3-7 years

After Old Turtle swims his last swim and breathes his last breath, his friends lovingly remember how he impacted each and every one of them. As the sea animals think back on how much better Old Turtle made their lives and their world, they realize that he is not truly gone, because his memory and legacy will last forever.

Chicken Story Time

written by Sandy Asher
illustrated by Mark Fearing
published by Dial Books

Age Range: 3-5 years

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to story time at the library, of course! The children like the chicken, the chicken likes the children, and everyone loves story time. So it’s no surprise that more children (and more chickens!) get in on the fun.

Cowpoke Clyde Rides the Range

written and illustrated by Michael Allen Austin
published by Clarion Books

Age Range: 4-7 years

Cowpoke Clyde is plumb confused. An ad in his favorite catalog says he oughta buy a bike. He orders one, and when it comes, he mounts up and sets right off, wibble-wobblin’ down the road.

Daniel Finds a Poem

written and illustrated by Micha Archer
published by Nancy Paulsen Books

Age Range: 5-8 years

What is poetry? Is it glistening morning dew? Is it crisp leaves crunching? Could it be a cool pond, sun-warmed sand, or moonlight on the grass? Maybe poetry is all of these things, as it is something special for everyone—you just have to take the time to really look and listen.

The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo

written by Laura Murray
illustrated by Mike Lowery
published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Age Range: 5-8 years

Is there anything more fun than a class trip to the zoo? The Gingerbread Man and his classmates don’t think so, and they get to solve riddles on a WILD scavenger hunt. They meet giraffes, monkeys, and even a fox (especially scary for a Gingerbread Man!).

Plants Can't Sit Still

written by Rebecca Hirsch
illustrated by Mia Posada
published by Millbrook Picture Books

Age Range: 5-8 Years

Do plants really move? Plants might not pick up their roots and walk away, but they definitely don't sit still! Whether it's a sunflower, a Venus flytrap, or an exotic plant like an exploding cucumber, this fascinating picture book shows just how excitingly active plants really are.

Shh! Bears Sleeping

written by David Martin
illustrated by Lou Fancher
published by Viking Books for Young Readers

Age Range: 3-7 years

A lilting read-aloud text and stunning pictures combine to follow these fascinating animal friends through the cycle of the year. A page of facts about bears will answer young readers' questions as they begin to explore the wonders of the natural world.

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles

written by Michelle Cuevas
illustrated by Erin E. Stead
published by Dial Books

Age Range: 4-8 Years

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, who lives alone atop a hill, has a job of the utmost importance. It is his task to open any bottles found at sea and make sure that the messages are delivered. He loves his job, though he has always wished that, someday, one of the letters would be addressed to him.

The Water Princess

written by Susan Verde and Georgie Badiel
illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
published by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Age Range: 5-8 years

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. She rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water.