Book challenges and awards
Geisel Honor Books, 2023 to 2026
The Geisel committee also names honor books, which is where many of the funniest early readers show up. These are the honors from 2023 through 2026.
Taken from ALSC's Geisel Award list (PDF, 2006 to present), grouped by year, 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.
Earl and Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories
Greg Pizzoli · Ages 5-8
2026 honor.
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I Like Hoops
Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Jada Jeni Bennett · Ages 5-8
2026 honor.
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The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel
Michael Rex · Ages 5-8
2026 honor.
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Fox versus Fox
Corey R. Tabor · Ages 5-8
2025 honor.
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Towed by Toad
Jashar Awan · Ages 5-8
2025 honor.
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Henry, Like Always
Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song · Ages 5-8
2024 honor.
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Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends
Kaz Windness · Ages 5-8
2024 honor.
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Fish and Wave
Sergio Ruzzier · Ages 5-8
2023 honor.
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Gigi and Ojiji
Melissa Iwai · Ages 5-8
2023 honor.
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Owl and Penguin
Vikram Madan · Ages 5-8
2023 honor.
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A Seed Grows
Antoinette Portis · Ages 4-7
2023 honor.
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More lists
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winners, 2019 to 2026
The Geisel Award goes to the best book for beginning readers each year.
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.