Award Winning Children's Books

Winners and honor books from the 2026 Youth Media Awards.

Updated February 9, 2026
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Bat and the business of ferrets
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold's heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum. Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed "Bat") is...
Stalactite & Stalagmite : a big tale from a little cave
Beckmeyer, Drew
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book Four starred reviews! "Both gloriously expansive and goofy--in short, everything young readers could ask for." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A hilarious and thought-provoking picture book about two little cave rock...
Fireworks
Burgess, Matthew
Fireworks is a sparkling picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, highlighting the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly anticipate a spectacular fireworks display. POP! As a hot day sizzles into...
The keeper of stories
Pritchard, Caroline Kusin
Paper Book
A Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor Three starred reviews! In this "poignant" (Booklist, starred review) and uplifting true story of community, a neighborhood comes together in the wake of a library fire to save the stories within, offering...
Octopus moon
Pyron, Bobbie
Paper Book
A deeply moving middle grade novel in verse about a girl struggling with depression when she starts fifth grade amidst a sea of changes. A 2025 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Pearl loves watching the majestic loggerhead turtles and octopuses...
Will's race for home : a western
Rhodes, Jewell Parker
Paper Book
★ Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award! ★ ★ A New York Times bestseller! ★ ★ "Rhodes deftly captures a unique ­aspect of this historical event, with a perspective...
The history of We
Smith, Nikkolas
An awe-inspiring picture book about the origin and advancement of humans, from author and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith. A Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa....
All the blues in the sky
Watson, Ren?
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal A New York Times bestseller | A USA Today bestseller | A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year | A Kirkus Best Book of the Year | A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year | A Chicago Public Library...

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