Book challenges and awards
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winners, 2019 to 2026
The Geisel Award goes to the best book for beginning readers each year. These eight medal winners are good picks for children reading their first chapters on their own, in grades K-2.
Winners and years copied from ALSC's Geisel Award list (PDF, 2006 to present), checked against the ALA Geisel page, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Stop That Mop!
Jonathan Fenske · Ages 5-7
2026 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Vacation
Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Mark Teague · Ages 5-8
2025 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Fox Has a Problem
Corey R. Tabor · Ages 5-8
2024 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
I Did It!
Michael Emberley · Ages 5-7
2023 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Fox at Night
Corey R. Tabor · Ages 5-8
2022 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka · Ages 5-7
2021 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Stop! Bot!
James Yang · Ages 5-7
2020 winner.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Fox the Tiger
Corey R. Tabor · Ages 5-8
2019 winner. Corey R. Tabor has won three Geisel medals.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
More lists
Geisel Honor Books, 2023 to 2026
The Geisel committee also names honor books, which is where many of the funniest early readers show up.
Newbery Medal winners, 2017 to 2026
The Newbery Medal goes each year to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, chosen by a committee of librarians.
Newbery Honor Books, 2023 to 2026
Honor books are the runners-up the Newbery committee also names.
Newbery Medal winners worth reading before middle school
Newbery winners go back to 1922, and many older ones feel dated.
Caldecott Medal winners, 2017 to 2026
The Caldecott Medal honors the most distinguished American picture book for children, judged on the illustrations.
Caldecott Honor Books, 2022 to 2026
Honor books are the Caldecott committee's runners-up, and many of them are the ones children ask to hear again.
Caldecott Medal winners from 1980 to 2016 that are still shelf favorites
Older Caldecott winners are the ones many families already own.
Coretta Scott King and Pura Belpré awards, 2026 winners and honors
The Coretta Scott King Awards honor Black authors and illustrators; the Pura Belpré Awards honor Latino authors and illustrators.