2024 Moonbeam Medalists
MOONBEAM SPIRIT AWARDS
A handful of books are chosen each year by judges for their dedication to children’s literacy and for inspired writing, illustrating, and publishing. All recipients will receive gold medals.
Compassion
Our Greatest Gift
by Jose Carlos Roman, Illustrated by Elena Ferrandiz
Cuento de Luz
Education
Who Were the Ancient Egyptians?
National Gallery of Victoria
Imagination (tie)
Little Boos on the Loose
by Mark Waters, Illustrated by Laura Borio
Hazy Dell Press
Un Avión Para Volar
by Daniel Cañas, Illustrated by Ale Senso
La Cuentería Respetuosa
Mindfulness
On the Bright Side
by Anastasia Difino, Illustrated by Taylor Barron
Self-Published
Preservation
Better Than New: A Recycle Tale
by Robert Broder, Illustrated by Lake Buckley
Patagonia
Storytelling
The Bird Whisperer
by Ana Eulate, Illustrated by Mar Azabal
Cuento de Luz
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Board Book/Cloth
GOLD
A Flock of Gulls, a Chorus of Frogs
by Roy Henry Vickers & Lucky Budd
Harbour Publishing
SILVER
Who Am I?: The Woodland
by Kurt Jay Bertels
Self-Published
BRONZE
Polóovi Temét!
by Nichole Vasquex-Sutter
Great Oak Press
2. Learning Order
GOLD
Splish, Splash! First to Last
by Nancy Viau
Schiffer Kids
SILVER
The Animal Menagerie: A Curious Collection of A to Z Animal Tales
by Francine Dingeman
Self-Published
BRONZE (tie)
Jack’s Noisy Day!
by Sarah Tinney
Self-Published
ABC’s with Tonellio
by Tony Lumpkin
T. Lump Book Publishing
3. Activity Book 1 (Arts & Crafts)
GOLD
Me, My Selfie, and I: Discovering and Embracing a True Love of Self
by Lisa MacDonald
FriesenPress
SILVER
Explore Paris: Color Me Culture
by Severine Chanay Savoyen
Rainbows Publishing LLC
BRONZE (tie)
Goldie the Goldendoodle: Adventure Down Under
by Michael Smith Leavitt
Lahey Lane
Pick a Perfect Party: “You Can Do It!” Television Game Show
by Jane and Elaine
Self-Published
4. Activity Book 2 (Educational)
GOLD (tie)
You Are a Social Detective!: Curriculum Guide and Storybook (2-book teaching set)
by Pamela Crooke, Michelle Garcia Winner, and Kari Zweber Palmer; illustrated by Jeff Ebbeler
Think Social Publishing, Inc.
KidsRead2Kids Presents… Amazing Tales!
by Alana Blumenstein & Carol Blumenstein
KidsRead2Kids
SILVER
Jacob’s Bug Collection
by Amanda Schaumburg
Panda Speech LLC
BRONZE
Mr. Roundbottom Science Teacher: Bubble Bonanza!
by James H. Esker Jr.
Runaway Rocket Publishing
5. Best Illustrator
GOLD
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
by Emily Dickinson, illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Paw Prints Publishing
SILVER (tie)
Look Up: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution
by Britt Gondolfi, illustrated by Amanda Romanick
Paw Prints Publishing
Frankenwalnut
by Don and Alex Hicks, illustrated by Kat Rasmussen
Multiverse Investments
BRONZE (tie)
Vincent Starry Starry Night
by Judith A. Proffer
Meteor 17 Books
Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot
by Laura Beth Dean, illustrated by Jeanne Bowman
South Dakota Historical Society Press
6. Picture Book Pre-School
GOLD
Sometimes I am Hot Lava
by Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Amelie Videlo
Beaming Books
SILVER (tie)
Proudly Poppy
by Tricia Stone-Shumaker, Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Self-Published
Tilda Finds Her Rainbow
by Nicola A Lewis, Illustrated by Alice Pieroni
Bear With Us
BRONZE
Moon Choo-Choo
by Mona Voelkel, Illustrated by Nancy Kincade
Self-Published
7. Picture Book - 4-8
GOLD (tie)
Diary of a Seaside Love Story
by Azahara Castillo, Illustrated by Blanco Millan
Cuento de Luz
Sea Dog
Astrid Sheckels
Down East Books
SILVER (tie)
Cow Tales
by Linda Coddington
Palmetto Publishing
The Bear and Her Book
by Frances Tosdevin & Sophia O’Connor
Jolly Fish Press
BRONZE
Auntie Maggie and Her Five Nephews and Nieces
by Sandra Alonso, Illustrated by Enrique Quevedo
Cuento de Luz
8. Picture Book - All Ages
GOLD (tie)
Finding Mr. Trunks
by Annemarie Riley Guertin, Illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
Familius LLC
Why Not?
by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Gabriella Barouch
Compendium
SILVER
Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky
by Avery Davis, Illustrated by Tang Wei
BookBaby
BRONZE
The Switch
by Jesse byrd, Illustrated by Yonson Carbonell
Paw Prints Publishing
9. Juvenile Fiction/Early Reader
GOLD
Closet of Dreams
by Mark Ukra and Tara Mesalik MacMahon; illustrated by Donna Dyer
Booklogix
SILVER
Little Mouse Adventures: In Search of the Holy Grail
by Teresa Anne Power; illustrated by Emma Allen
Stafford House Books
BRONZE
Adventures in Gaeldor: The Wolf and the Wind
by Katie Spina
Awesome Author Kids
10. Pre-Teen - General
GOLD
Charlotte’s Ghosts: The Mystery of the Vanishing Boy
by L.P. Simone
Dragon Song Publishing
SILVER
Jiu-Jitsu Girl
by Jennifer Dutton
Jolly Fish Press
BRONZE
Miscommunicamp!
by Steph Katzovi
Brown Book Kids
11. Pre-Teen Fantasy
GOLD
Peony Watercolor’s Wish for Sun and Moon
by Robyn Field
Owl’s Nest Publishers
SILVER
Cameron and the Shadow-Wraiths: A Battle of Anxiety vs. Trust
by Mark Cheverton
Self-Published
BRONZE
Uncle Digit and the Truth About Magic
by Jeremy Hullah
Digit Publications
12. Pre-Teen - Mystery
GOLD
The Sea Devil’s Demise: A Delta & Jax Mystery
by Susan Diamond Riley
Koehler Books
SILVER
Forgotten Oath
by Dorothea N. Buckingham
Atmosphere Press
BRONZE
The Mirror People
by Kyle Sullivan
Hazy Dell Press
13. Pre-Teen - Historical/Cultural
GOLD (tie)
The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree
by Lucille Abendanon
Jolly Fish Press
Indigo & Ida
by Heather Murphy Capps
CarolRhoda Books, An Imprint of Lerner Publishing Group
SILVER
Calling Extra
by Kristina Romero
Romero Media LLC
BRONZE
Little Hero
by Emily Lim-Leh
Penguin Random House SEA
14. Pre-Teen - Mature Issues
GOLD
Ben & Blue: Searching for Lucky #3002
by Ellen Melissa Cohen
Red Chair Press
SILVER
The New Frontier
by Wayne L. Wilson
Kinkajou Press
BRONZE
L.E.A.P.: Linn’s Emerging Adult Plan
by Toni Bellon
Kinkajou Press
15. YA - General
GOLD
The Beauty of a Spiral
by Beth Maddaleni
Ponderlit Press
SILVER
Strong Like You
T.L. Simpson
North Star Editions
BRONZE
Charting the Course
by Leslea Wahl
Vinspire Publishing
16. YA - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Gold
The Merciless King of Moore High
by Lily Sparks
Flux
Silver
Ferren and the Angels
by Richard Harland
IFWG Publishing International
Bronze
Forgotten Realm of Secrets: Book One
by Rose M. Delorane
Self-published
17. YA - Horror/Mystery
GOLD
The Lamplighter
by Crystal J. Bell
Flux
SILVER
Here Lies Olive
by Kate Anderson
Flux
BRONZE
Through the Haze
by Kelly Kieran Sampson
Kieran Sampson Books
18. YA - Historical/Cultural
GOLD
Finding Melody Sullivan
by Alice Rothchild
Cune Press
SILVER
Eleven
Donald Samson
Star Trilogy Publications
BRONZE
Liza and Libby: The Adventures Begin
by Alexandra M. Wallace
Pondera Publishing
19. YA - Mature Issues
GOLD
Cold Girls
by Maxine Rae
Flux
SILVER
eMortal
by Steve Schafer
Koehler Books
BRONZE
Burning Little Lies
by Christine H Bailey
Kinkajou Press
20. Fiction - Religion
GOLD
Peng & the Dragon Princess
by Dana Green, illustrated by Blue Cedar
Instilling Goodness Books
SILVER
First You: A Jataka Tale
by Red Wing, illustrated by Akanit Dachani
Instilling Goodness Books
BRONZE
Meet the Love Doves
by Sebastian Giordano, illustrated by Alynor Díaz
21. Children’s Poetry
GOLD
Big Sisters
by Gordon Jensen
Highsmith Creative Services
SILVER
The Northland Beckons: An Illustrated Haiku Journey
by Sandra Hisakuni, illustrated by Sofia Hisakuni
Beaver’s Pond Press
BRONZE
Ribbons and Moths: Poems for Children
by Laura Rodley
Kelsay Books
22. Nonfiction - Picture Book
GOLD
The Power of Michelle Yeoh: Ballet, Stunts, Stardom!
by David Seow
Bonnie Books
SILVER
Included
by Jayneen Sanders
Educate2Empower Publishing
BRONZE
The Soil in Jackie’s Garden
by Peggy Thomas
Feeding Minds Press
23. Nonfiction - Chapter Book
GOLD
From 'Loser' to Legend- How 60+ Celebrities Survived and Thrived After Bullying
by Patricia Stahl, LCSW
Kindle Direct Publishing
SILVER
Determined to be Extraordinary: Spectacular Stories of Modern Women in Stem
Edited by Dawn Heimer, Ph.D.
BRONZE
Starved for Books
by Carole Marsh Longmeyer, illustrated by Lee Barrow
Let There Be Learning Books
24. Animals/Pets - Fiction
GOLD
Let it Be, Beaver!
by Eli Anderson
Harborview Books
SILVER
Austin
by Letitia B. Burton
Southport Press
BRONZE
Can We Get a Rhinoceros?
by Christian Kueng
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
25. Animals/Pets - Nonfiction
GOLD
I Think My Chicken is a Dinosaur
by Kathleen O’Neill Oswald
Warren Publishing
SILVER
I’ll Be Your Friend Forever
by Amulya Veldanda Vadali
AVVBooks
BRONZE
Remember Me as Sunshine
by Jacqueline Lemieux-Bokor
Self-Published
26. Social Activism
GOLD
Zion Learns to See
by Terence Lester & Zion Lester; illustrated by Subi Bosa
IVP Kids
SILVER
Finding Messi: The Miracle Cat from Kyiv
by Trevor Ostfeld & Iryna Chernyak, illustrated by Katherine Blackmore
Greenleaf Book Group
BRONZE
Little Miss Linda: BAD Girls of Montgomery
by Dr. Linda J. M. Holloway, illustrated by Cameron Wilson
Keen Vision Publishing, LLC
27. Comics/Graphic Novel
GOLD
Bog Myrtle
by Sid Sharp
Annick Press
SILVER
How to Defeat Bully Brain: OCD Detectives
by Ella Kim, illustrated by Andi Andriansyah
Gatekeeper Press
BRONZE
James Bone #1: The Awesome Allosaurus Adventure
by Carole Marsh, illustrated by Lee Barrow
Gallopade International
28. Religion/Spirituality
GOLD
The Ten Commandments: For All God’s Children
by Harold L. Senkbeil, illustrated by Natasha Kennedy
Lexham Press
SILVER
Who Is Our King?
by Todd R. Hains, illustrated by Natasha Kennedy
Lexham Press
BRONZE (tie)
My Name is Philomena
written and illustrated by Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, O. Praem.
TAN Books
ABCs of the World’s Religions
by Rev. Vicki Michela Garlock, Ph.D., illustrated by Raman Bhardwaj
Eaton Press
29. Holiday
GOLD
Disgusting Dinner
by Roxanne Falls, illustrated by JP Roberts
Warren Publishing
SILVER
Birth of the Chosen One
by Terry Wildman, illustrated by Hannah and Holly Buchanan
IVP Kids
BRONZE
Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie’s Story
by Denise Lee Branco
Strolling Hills Publishing
30. Book with Merch
GOLD (tie)
With My Dog
The Apple That Fell Far From the Tree
SILVER
Because You Can
BRONZE
Trunks Helps Hippo
31. Spanish Language
GOLD (tie)
¡(Te) Quiero un Huevo!
by Serena Minayo and Emma S. Varela, Illustrated by Sara Sánchez
La Cuenteria Respetuosa
El Pelo
by Icek Miller, Illustrated by Fernando López Juárez
Sicoben
SILVER
Mandril
by Anya Damirón, Illustrated Alessandro Montagnana
Algar
BRONZE
La liebre y la tortuga
by Elena Busse, Illustrated by Ekaterina Ilchenko
Cuentos con Valores
32. Environmental Issues
GOLD
Bob Marshall: Defender of the Wilderness
by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Jeanne Bowman
South Dakota Historical Society Press
SILVER
Down in the Amazon
by Mame Hill
Waters Meet Here Barometer Books
BRONZE
Save the Trees
by Leslie Eva Tayloe, illustrated by Lintang Pandu Pratiwi
Brandylane Publishers, Inc.
33. Health Issues
GOLD
My Body Safety Rules
by Jayneen Sanders
Educate2Empower Publishing, an imprint of UpLoad Publishing Pty Ltd
SILVER
A Spot of Kindness
by Alice Bianchi-Clark, illustrated by Shruti Hemani
Marshall Cavendish Children
BRONZE
Larry the Lobster Has Lupus
by Dharma Le
Self-Published
34. Mind/Body/Self-Esteem
GOLD
I Believe In Me! How Little Ideas Become Big Dreams
by Dinah E. Corona & Luisa F. Molano, illustrated by Angie Alape
Halo Publishing International
SILVER
Alex, the Awesome and Artsy Allosaurus
written and illustrated by Susan Mills
Self-Published
BRONZE
Just Me
by Pamela Downs, illustrated by Monica De Rivas
Warren Publishing
35. Best First Book - Picture
GOLD
A Book for Bear
by Ellen L. Ramsey, Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
Flamingo Books
SILVER
Peg Gets Crackin’
by Jo Renfro
Beaming Books
BRONZE
Windows to the World
by Alice Bianchi-Clark, Illustrated by Chloe Chang
Marshall Cavendish Children
36. Best First Book - Chapter
GOLD
LITE The High Treason Incident
by A. G. Roberts, illustrated by Alicia Schwab
Beaver’s Pond Press
SILVER
Fearless
by Kristin F. Johnson
KFJ Books
BRONZE
The Story of Romeo
by Joel Bennett
Daytime Star Books
37. Best Book by Youth
GOLD
I Am Not Who You See
by Krishnni Khanna
Self-Published
SILVER
A Better Home
by Christian & Tony Yoon
Self-Published
BRONZE
The Legend of Inti and Flora: How the Peruvian Hairless Dog Lost its Hai
by Siena Ferreyra-MacPete, illustrated by Yulia Zolotova
Forest Lane Books
38. Best Series - Picture
GOLD
Colección de libros para bebés (Early Literacy Collection)
by Elena Busse
Cuentos con Valores
SILVER
The Story of Trunks Maloo Series
by Kurt Jay Bertels
Self-Published
BRONZE (tie)
Fun with Jack Series
Denise Makeham
Sunflower Love
Chicken Builds Series
Kevin Woody Kopplin
Chickenbuilds LLC
39. Best Series - Chapter
GOLD
Local Legends Series
by Lane Walker
Bakken Books
SILVER
Oxbow Island Gang Series
by Rae Chalmers, illustrated by Jamie Hogan
Maine Authors Publishing
BRONZE
Cajun Kids Adventures - Volumes 1-5
by C. P. Landry
Excaliber Publishing Services
40. Best Series - Nonfiction
GOLD
What to Know Before You Get Your Cat & What to Know Before You Get Your Dog
by Margrit Strohmaier, illustrated by Claudia Gadotti
Lion Face Press
SILVER
Little BIG Chats
by Jayneen Sanders
Educate2Empower Publishing
BRONZE
Dana Digs Dinosaurs Series
by Dana Korneisel and Lynnea Jackson, illustrated by Carmen Cerra and Lee Brown
Dan the Fish Publishing
41. Best Writer/Illustrator
GOLD
How to Make a Sandwich
by Lorena M. Proia
Lorena Proia Books
SILVER
Kimu and the Sun
by J J Robinson
Self-Published
BRONZE
MacFooey
by Sandra L. Dodge
Red Cove Publishing
42. Cultural Experience
GOLD
Cries from the Moana
by ‘Atu Emberson-Bain with Melino Bain-Vete & Siale Bain-Vete
Hakautapu Publishing
SILVER
Lion’s Water
by Sheila Ngonzi Hackbarth
SNH Books
BRONZE
The Pysanka Chicken: We Are All Born Different
by Lesa Melnyczuk
Lesa Melnyczuk Publications
EBOOK CATEGORIES
eBook 1. Children’s Picture - All Ages
GOLD
Jo's Special Gifts
by Mariam Shapera, illustrated by Lorna Humphreys
Self-Published
SILVER
Why Max “Meow’s and Risa “Nyaas”?: Cracking the Code of Animal Sounds Across Cultures
by David Huerta
Ichigo Ichie Works
BRONZE
Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky
by Avery Davis, illustrated by Tang Wei
BookBaby
eBook 2. Children's Picture Book - Young Children
GOLD
Adi's Animal Adventures
by Julie Schanke Lyford, illustrated by Mariia Luzina
Wise Ink
SILVER
Frankie the Fart Wants a Friend: A Funny Story of Friendship and Acceptance for Kids
by Daniel Huerga
Mandu Books
BRONZE
How, Mama?
by Brittany Eckl
eBook 3. Pre-Teen Fiction
GOLD
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
by Hermione Lee
Self-Published
SILVER
Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time
by PJ Davis
Philaments
BRONZE
The Musical Adventures of Molly DeForrest
by Colleen Calmann
SageLeaf Books
eBook 4. Young Adult Fiction
GOLD
Remember Pompeii
by Kika Emers
Beckett Publishing Group LLC
SILVER
Divided: Book One in the Divided Series
by CC Robinson
Manifold Publishing LLC
BRONZE
Orea and her new friends in Enchanted Land
by Sean Ichiro Hayashi
Stallion Studio