Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award Book Recommendations
The 2025 Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award winners, Kelly Starling Lyons and Tonya Engel, gathered virtually on May 7th for a live read-aloud of their winning book, My Hands Tell a Story. 2025 also marks the 20th anniversary of Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Red Pajama. Anna Dewdney’s daughters, Berol and Cordelia Dewdney, joined us for this year’s virtual event celebrating the winner, with a special reading of their mother’s classic title.
During the live event, our panelists and audience shared their favorite children’s books that have made an impact on them throughout their lives. We are excited to share these lovely book recommendations with you! If you weren’t able to join us for the live event, you can watch the videos here.
The Poky Little Puppy, by Janette Sebring Lowrey ; illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren (Penguin Random House / Golden Books), ages 0-3.
The Poky Little Puppy was one of the original twelve Little Golden Books published in 1942, and went on to become the bestselling picture book of all time. The story of a curious puppy, who digs holes under fences and who has to go to bed without any strawberry shortcake, has delighted families for generations. it is, quite simply, an icon. Delightful to read aloud, The Poky Little Puppy is a cherished story that every child should know.
The Lion and the Bird, written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc (Enchanted Lion), ages 4-6.
One autumn day, a lion finds a wounded bird in his garden. With the departure of the bird’s flock, the lion decides that it’s up to him to care for the bird. He does and the two become fast friends. Nevertheless, the bird departs with his flock the following autumn. What will become of Lion and what will become of their friendship?
Tar Beach, written and illustrated by Faith Ringgold (Dragonfly Books), ages 4-6 and 7-12.
Cassie Louise Lightfoot has a dream: to be free to go wherever she wants for the rest of her life. One night, up on “tar beach,” the rooftop of her family’s Harlem apartment building, her dreams come true. The stars lift her up, and she flies over the city, claiming the buildings and the city as her own.
As Cassie learns, anyone can fly. “All you need is somewhere to go you can’t get to any other way. The next thing you know, you’re flying among the stars.”
Jabari Jumps, written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall (Candlewick Press), ages 4-6.
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.
Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae; illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees (Scholastic / Cartwheel Books), ages 0-3 and 4-6.
Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.
The Ashe Brothers: How Arthur and Johnnie Changed Tennis Forever, written by Judy Allen Dodson; illustrated by David Wilkerson (Capstone Editions), ages 4-6.
In 1968, Arthur Ashe climbed his way to the top of the tennis world in a time filled with racial tension and segregation. But his success didn’t happen without help. Arthur’s close relationship with his younger brother, Johnnie, was key to Arthur becoming the first Black man to break the color barrier in men’s tennis. A layered story full of love, sibling rivalry, and unconditional support, The Ashe Brothers tells the little-known story behind Arthur’s Grand Slam win.
Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations, written by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Keith Mallett (Penguin Random House / Nancy Paulsen Books), ages 4-6.
In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. Known as the Black National Anthem, it has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.
The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats (Penguin Young Readers / Viking Books for Young Readers), ages 0-3.
In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day.
The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (Penguin Random House / Philomel Books), ages 4-6.
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
Stick and Stone, by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (HarperCollins / Clarion Books), ages 4-6.
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.
Visiting Day, by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by James E. Ransome (Penguin Young Readers / Nancy Paulsen Books), ages 4-6 and 7-12.
In this moving picture book from multi-award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson, a young girl and her grandmother prepare for a very special day–the one day a month they get to visit the girl’s father in prison. “Only on visiting day is there chicken frying in the kitchen at 6 a.m, and Grandma in her Sunday dress, humming soft and low.” As the little girl and her grandmother get ready, her father, who adores her, is getting ready, too, and readers get to join the community of families who make the trip together, as well as the triumphant reunion between father and child, all told in Woodson’s trademark lyrical style, and beautifully illustrated by James Ransome.
Something Beautiful, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth; illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet (Dragonfly Books), ages 4-6.
There’s the “beautiful” fried fish sandwich at Miss Delphine’s diner, Mr. Lee’s “beautiful” fruit store, and the “beautiful” smooth stone Old Mr. Sims always carries. The girl soon understands that beautiful means “that when you have it, your heart is happy.” Young readers will enjoy appreciating the beauty of friendship and the power of hope in this encouraging story.
Make Way for Ducklings, written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey (Penguin Young Readers / Viking Books for Young Readers), ages 4-6.
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. But when the busy streets of Boston become too risky for her and her family to navigate, the local police step in to make sure Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings—Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack—make it to their new home safely. A beautiful portrayal of one duck family’s devotion and perseverance, this picture book is a wonderful representation of how families overcome hard times together and a compassionate reminder to trust in the goodness of humanity.
The Ghost of Opalina or Nine Lives, written and illustrated by Peggy Bacon (Graymalkin Media), ages 7-12.
The drawing on the cover of this book, and the subtitle above, make it quite clear that the story of Opalina involves a cat. It can even be assumed to contain a ghost cat. Beyond that, the reader must proceed to devour this book in order to discover the amazing variety of its contents. About all we have room for here is to say that this is more than the story of a haunted house; it is the story of the haunt. And what a delectable, willful, all-seeing, unpredictable haunt this eighteenth-century White Persian proves to be, as she inscrutably observes succeeding generations of children living, playing, quarreling, adventuring, growing up and away from “her” house.
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Clement Hurd (HarperCollins / HarperFestival), ages 0-3.
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
Little Excavator, written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney (Penguin Random House / Viking Books for Young Readers), ages 0-3 and 4-6.
There’s Loader and Dump Truck, Backhoe and Crane. They’re ready to transform a vacant lot into a neighborhood park. And who wants to help most of all? Little Excavator! But are there any jobs for someone so small?
The Rainbow Fish, written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister (NorthSouth Books), ages 4-6.
The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He overcomes his pride and begins to distribute his glitter scales to the other fish.
You can learn more about the Anna Dewdney Award, the 2025 winners, and Anna Dewdney’s daughters here!
