MOONBEAM SPIRIT AWARDS:
Compassion | Education | Imagination | Community | Mindfulness | Storytelling
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Board Book/Cloth | 2. Learning Order | 3. Activity Book 1 (Arts & Crafts) | 4. Activity Book 2 (Educational) | 5. Best Illustrator | 6. Picture Book Pre-School | 7. Picture Book – 4-8 | 8. Picture Book – All Ages | 9. Juvenile Fiction/Early Reader | 10. Pre-Teen – General | 11. Pre-Teen Fantasy | 12. Pre-Teen – Mystery | 13. Pre-Teen – Historical/Cultural | 14. Pre-Teen – Mature Issues | 15. YA – General | 16. YA – Fantasy/Sci-Fi | 17. YA – Horror/Mystery | 18. YA – Historical/Cultural | 19. YA – Mature Issues | 20. Religion/Spirituality – Picture Book | 21. Children’s Poetry | 22. Nonfiction – Picture Book | 23. Nonfiction – Chapter Book | 24. Animals/Pets – Fiction | 25. Animals/Pets – Nonfiction | Categories 26-42
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
Not Pop-Pop by Angela De Groot, Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley (Waterbrook)
EDUCATION
My History, My Gender, Me by Cassandra Jules Corrigan, Illustrated by Moe Butterfly (Jessica Kingsley Publishers-Hachette)
IMAGINATION
Rosie & Raven: An Interactive Animated Fairytale by Kayla Silber (Elev8Reality)
MINDFULNESS
Bella and Bird Explore Anger by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC, Illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti (Bella and Bird Books)
COMMUNITY
I, Too, Am Here by Morgan Christie, Illustrated by Marley Berot
STORYTELLING
Owls by Kuo Mei-Fen, Wang Chih-Chung, & Wei Chia-Hsing (The Council for Hakka Affairs, Taichung City Government)
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Board Book / Cloth Book
GOLD
Did You Hear That? by Antonio Vicente, Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez (Michael Sampson Books)
SILVER
My Nature Book with Olaf Breuning (National Gallery of Victoria)
BRONZE (TIE)
Are You Wiggly? by Tim Button, Illustrated by Ana Martín Larrañaga (The Collective Book Studio)
BRONZE
Every Single Day by Wendy Ulmer, Illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi
2. Learning Order
GOLD
Sea Dog Boats, an alphabet book by Astrid Sheckels (Down East Books)
SILVER
Endangered Animals ABC by Rinat D Medalsy (Kesem Books)
BRONZE
What? No More Halloween? A Witch’s Fight to Save the Letters by K.M. Messina, Illustrated by Nataliia Pavliuk (Lunalore Books)
3. Activity Book 1 (Arts & Crafts)
GOLD
Hedgehogs in the Desert by Milana Anderson (Self-Published)
SILVER
Remi’s Ride to the Zoo by Amanda Schaumburg, Illustrated by Natia Gogiashvii (Panda Speech)
BRONZE
Windy Acres Workshop: Art, Nature & Literature Edition by Sarah Uren (tellwell)
4. Activity Book 2 (Educational)
GOLD
Oto Astro: Sky to Space by Angelin Z Ma (Legend Publishing Co)
SILVER
JoJo Sing & Learn, Chinese Songs for Baby & Me by Christine Yang Barry, Illustrated by Lukas Miao Zhang, Music produced by Felton Pilate
BRONZE
Word Search with Coding by Kate Kallgren (Pary Pages Publishing)
5. Best Illustrator
GOLD
Night of the Cricket by Laura Rasey Miller (Self-Published)
SILVER
Trusty Bus by Elizabeth Weiss Verdick, Illustrated by Jeff Harter (Simon & Schuster)
BRONZE
Moon Cat by Casi Cole, Illustrated by Amanda Romanick (Paw Prints Publishing)
6. Picture Book Pre-School
GOLD
Puppy Dog, Puppy Dog, Do You Want to Play? by Bill Martin Jr & Michael Sampson, Illustrated by Marilyn Janovitz (Brown Books Kids)
SILVER
Missy Moo the Highland Coo by Kelsey Marshalsey (Brown Paper Fox)
BRONZE
Good Morning, Mother Nature by Lucas Alberg, Illustrated by Megan Marie Myers (Adventure Publications)
7. Picture Book - 4-8
GOLD
Families of a Feather by Fern Wexler, Illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell (little bigfoot)
SILVER
Dear Duck, Please Come! by Sarah Mackenzie, Illustrated by Charles Santoso (Waxwing Books)
BRONZE
Finley: A Moose on the Caboose by Candace Spizzirri, Illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne (Gnome Road Publishing)
8. Picture Book - All Ages
GOLD (TIE)
Books are Not Just for Bedtime by Eleanor Pearson, Illustrated by Angela Perrini (Little Steps Publishing)
GOLD (TIE)
Big Blue by JQ Sirls, Illustrated by Luis San Vicente (Fantoria)
SILVER
Baking Up Love by Alan Page & Kamie Page, Illustrated by David Geister (Page Education Foundation)
BRONZE
Hector Fox & the Map of Mystery by Astrid Sheckels (Islandport Press)
9. Juvenile Fiction / Early Reader
GOLD
Dino Quest: The Trouble with Tyrannosaurs by Ian Billings, Illustrated by Daniel Duncan (Arcturus Publishing)
SILVER
Fly for Your Life by Eugene Pool (Ghost Car Press)
BRONZE
The Adventures of Rhodes & Alana: Bully Blues by Rhodes & Alana Ritenour (Adventures of R&A)
10. Pre-Teen - General
GOLD
Berticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan! By Brian Silbert (Strong Learning)
SILVER
Samantha Smee: A Pirate’s Life by M.C. Dingman (Self-Published)
BRONZE
The Wandering Adventures at Hobart Mill by Dustin C. Kinard (Dock & Queen Press)
11. Pre-Teen Fantasy
GOLD
The Hopeling by Maggie Master (Acorn Publishing)
SILVER
Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence (Waxwing Books)
BRONZE
Ballad of the Magpie by Jessica Alpart (Aurora Borealis Press)
12. Pre-Teen - Mystery
GOLD
Snoopers and Sneakers by Cristina Rouvalis & Lydia Wayman (Orange Blossom Publishing)
SILVER
The Old Secret at Hotel Oregon by Debbie Noble Black (Coalesce Press)
BRONZE
Mystery at Flamingo Bay by Deborah Erdmann (Self-Published)
13. Pre-Teen - Historical/Cultural
GOLD
Buried Secrets of the Copper Locket by D. L. Bush (Self Published)
SILVER
Anya’s Echoes by Esty Schachter (Lewis Court Press)
BRONZE
Little Hero’s Wish by Emily Lim-Leh (Penguin Random House SEA)
14. Pre-Teen - Mature Issues
GOLD
Color Me Skye by Gloria G. Adams (Slanted Ink)
SILVER
Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles (Brave Fawn Books)
BRONZE
Amber Luna My Bright Light by Kaitlyn Marquart (Self-Published)
15. YA - General
GOLD
The Space Between You and Me by Julie True Kingsley (Islandport Press)
SILVER
Kat’s Greek Summer by Mima Tipper (SparkPress)
BRONZE
The Last Summer Before Whatever Happens Next by Bee Burke (Islandport Press)
16. YA - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
GOLD
Fortified by V. Romas Burton (Quill & Flame Publishing House)
SILVER
Leeta Simtar: A Life on Two Planets by Annie Fox (Electric Eggplant)
BRONZE
The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts by K. C. Tansley (Beckett Publishing Group LLC)
17. YA - Horror/Mystery
GOLD
Frozen in Time by Kelly Swan Taylor (Link Press)
SILVER
The Ghost Ring: Welcome to Wilder House by Tom Hoffman (Self-Published)
BRONZE
Embracing Zak: Community Compassion is a Powerful Force by Jodee Kulp (Better Endings New Beginnings)
18. YA - Historical/Cultural
GOLD
La Ballona Creek by Brant Vickers (Atmosphere Press)
SILVER
Liza and Libby: The Adventures Continue by Alexandra M. Wallace (Pondera Publishing, LLC.)
BRONZE
The Adventures of Rubi Pi and the Aviation Girls: History of Flight in Stories by Tom Durwood (Independent)
19. YA - Mature Issues
GOLD
Before & After You & Me by Dallas Woodburn (Owl Hollow Press)
SILVER
The Quiet Unraveling of Eve Ellaway by Melanie Hooyenga (Left-Handed Mitten Publications)
BRONZE
The Little Things That Kill: A Teen Friendship Afterlife Apology Tour by Annie Fox (Electric Eggplant)
20. Religion/Spirituality - Picture Book
GOLD
Charlie Can’t Sleep! by Rachel Joy Welcher, Illustrated by Breezy Brookshire (IVP Kids)
SILVER
Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World by Helen Lee, Illustrated by Shin Maeng (IVP Kids)
BRONZE
Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery by Laura Burges with Lama Chonam, Illustrated by Wen Hsu (Bala Kids)
21. Children’s Poetry
GOLD
Universe at the Tips of Your Toes by Typewriter Rodeo (Burlwood Books)
SILVER
Beware of the Jornsnout by Sarah Carpenter (Carpenter Creations)
BRONZE
The Last Words of Albion by Joshua Ferdinand, Illustrated by Arwa Ali (Austin Macauley Publishers)
22. Nonfiction - Picture Book
GOLD (TIE)
Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon (Waxwing Books)
GOLD (TIE)
The Resilient Brain: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury for Kids by Katianne Olson, Illustrated by Yana Kozak (Wise Ink)
SILVER
The Mollys B. by Joann Howeth, Illustrated by Rupert Van Wyk (Blue Balloon Books)
BRONZE
Half Spoon of Rice by Icy Smith, Illustrated by Sopaul Nhem (East West Discovery Press)
23. Nonfiction - Chapter Book
GOLD
How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 by James McKenna & Jeannine Glista with Matt Fontaine (Workman Publishing)
SILVER
The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand by Jessica Speer (Familius)
BRONZE
Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity for Kids by Joanne Foster, Ed.D. (Gifted Unlimited)
24. Animals/Pets - Fiction
GOLD (TIE)
Cooper’s Campervan Adventures: Montana by Bridget Farry, Illustrated by David Globerson (Saratoga Springs Publishing)
GOLD (TIE)
A Tail of Twirls: A Kittina and the Starlight Ballerina by Once Upon a Dance, Illustrated by Stella Maris Mongodi (Once Upon a Dance)
SILVER
Heaven is Amazing—The Dogs by Lisa Stewart, Illustrated by Tanya Panova (Self-Published)
BRONZE
Little Boos Woof! Woof! Woof! by Mark Waters, Illustrated by Laura Borio (Hazy Dell Press)
25. Animals/Pets - Nonfiction
GOLD
Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story by Karen B. Winnick (Greenleaf Book Group Press)
SILVER
Ivy and her Rose Bud by Maureen & Chris Harrington, Illustrated by Charlotte Bruijn (Bromfield Press)
BRONZE
The Old Man and the Bears by Joel Bennett, Illustrated by Lue Isaac (Daytime Star Books)
