Now Read This! 2016 Children鈥檚 Book Award Winners
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Bang your drum, blow your horn, and enjoy the ride with these 2016 children鈥檚 book award winners.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation for African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his wife, Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination in continuing his work for peace and world brotherhood.
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The Coretta Scott King Book Awards鈥擨llustrator Award Winner
Trombone Shorty
Troy Andrews. Illus. by Bryan Collier. 2015. Abrams.
Hailing from the Trem茅 neighborhood of New Orleans, Troy 鈥淭rombone Shorty鈥� Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age 6, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography that follows his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds鈥攅ventually reaching international stardom and acclaim.听Trombone Shorty听is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music.
The Pura Belpr茅 Award
The Pura Belpr茅 Award is presented annually to a Latino or Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
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The Pura Belpr茅 Award鈥擨llustrator Award Winner
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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl鈥檚 Courage Changed Music
Margarita Engle. Illus. by Rafael L贸pez. 2015. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago, on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule鈥攗ntil the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bong贸s. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.
Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba鈥檚 traditional taboo against female drummers,听Drum Dream Girl听tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.
The Newbery Medal
The Newbery Medal鈥攏amed for 18th-century British bookseller John Newbery鈥攊s awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
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The Newbery Medal winner
Last Stop on Market Street
Matt de la Pe帽a. Illus. by Christian Robinson. 2015. G.P. Putnam鈥檚 Sons Books for Young Readers.
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don鈥檛 own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn鈥檛 he have an iPod like the other boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps CJ see the beauty鈥攁nd fun鈥攊n their routine and in the world around them.
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share.
Photo听漏听iStock; Book covers courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and G.P. Putnam