Another common theme that the Blue Ribbon Award books that we read have is a dedication to creativity and individuality. In Naked Mole Rat gets Dressed and __The Pencil we see an abundance of celebration for the characters being individuals and for their individual creativity. In Naked Mole Rat gets Dressed we see that a particular mole, Wilbur, has a facination with wearing clothing, which is odd for the community he lives in. After much discouragement from his peers, the town guru is told of Wilbur's odd facination, and to everyones surprise, he actually likes Wilbur's idea about clothes. From then on his individual style, as well as others that take on the trend, are celebrated. We also see this celebration of creativity in The Pencil. In this book a lonely pencil uses the blank canvas around him to create friends, a town, even a paint brush that creatively gives the pencil's unique drawings color. We see how creativity can be a wonderful thing, and how a persons individual talents should be celebrated.

A common similarity that we also saw with our books was a goal that couldn't be accomplished without a team effort. We see this particularly in Bog Baby and Mik’s Mammoth. In Bog Baby two little girls find a bog down in a pond they were told not to visit. When they find this baby bog they take it home and take care of it together. They build a little home for him with pebbles and everything they think he will need. When the bog baby gets home sick, the girl’s mother helps them return him to his pond. We also see this need for team work in Mik’s Mammoth. When Mik is left behind by his tribe, he befriends a baby mammoth. Together they come up with innovative ways to survive. Their inventions, like the wheel, can only be accomplished with the cooperation of both Mik and his mammoth.

I Lost My Bear and Knuffle Bunny demonstrate a pattern for a child’s reaction when they lose something valuable. Since they are kids, they whine and complain until they find what they are looking for. The items are both stuffed animals, one is a bear and the other is a bunny. In Knuffle Bunny, Trixie’s father finds the bunny for her, and in I Lost My Bear, the child’s mother helps her find her bear. Without the help of the parents, these two children would not be able to find their lost stuffed animals.

The two books show the common characteristics of the kids’ experiences during difficult times. The underlining messages in these two books communicate to its reader to be patient with children. Since kids are young, they will always need the guidance and support of an adult. In addition, the trust between the parents and their child is something that the child can rely on in case of a similar event happening in the future. The way the books are written gives away the ending that the parents will help the child no matter what happens. The overall theme suggests the unity among family members and their trust in one another.

Through the Blue Ribbon Award, these two books privilege the common theme of team work. Parents want their child to learn the importance of finding answers or solutions for themselves before seeking help. After trying for so many times, the kids gives up and ends up asking help from their parents. Without the collaboration of both the child and the parent, the search for the missing items would be impossible. Therefore, both book privilege in content because of its intentions of focusing on parents, which is one of the principles for winning the award.

Our Books

Dizzy by Jonah Winter Illustrated By Sean Qualls

A boy who breaks all the rules only to find that it's okay with music.

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything By Elise Broach Illustrated By David Small

A boring shopping trip turns into an adventure when with every purchase a young boy receives a dinosuar.

Good Boy Furgus! By David Shannon Illustrated By David Shannon

Even though Furgus the dog never does as he's told, he is still a good boy.

A Visitor for Bear By Bonney Becker Illustrated by Kady MacDonaldDenton

A mouse sets out to prove a bear that doesn't like visitors is wrong.

Lizzie Nonsense Written and Illustrated by Jan Ormerod

Lizzie uses her imagination to keep herself entertained during the pioneer days, but her mother thinks it's all nonsense.

I Stink! Written by Kate McMullan and Illustrated by Jim McMullan

A garbage truck talks about his favorite food and about a day in his life.

Pictures From Our Vacation Written and Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins

A family vacation turns out much different than expected, but you'd never know it by looking at the family pictures.

The Boy on The Beach Written and Illustrated by Niki Daly

Joe imagines he is the captain of a boat who isn't afraid of sharks, storm, or the big waves, until he realizes Mom and Dad are gone.

Bad Bear Detectives - Written by Daniel Pinkwater and Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater

Irving and Muktuk, two bad polar bears who live at the zoo, insist on finding out who tried to frame them for muffin stealing.

Orange Pear Apple Bear - Written and Illustrated by Emily Gravett

An orange, a pear, an apple and a bear are playfully rearranged to create a filling outcome.

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend - Written and Illustrated by Melanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel attempts the perfect plan to make the perfect friend, but it all goes wrong when a not-so-perfect creature surprises Scaredy.

The Chicken of the Family - Written by Mary Amato and Illustrated by Delphine Durand

After the cruel teasing of her two older sisters, Henrietta sets off to find her "real family" on the neighboring farm.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Written by and Illustrated by Mo Willems

A pigeon wants to drive a bus and comes up with creative reasons to convince the riders to let him drive.

Billy Tartle in Say Cheese! Written by Michael Townsend

A young boy named Billy is eager to make school picture day fun.

Lady Muck Written by William Mayne and Illustrated by Jonathan Heale

Boark and Sowk want to be rich by selling truffles, but Sowk gets hungry along the way.

Audrey, Wait! Written by Robin Benway

A girl named Audrey deals with a worldwide hit song written by her ex-boyfriend about their break-up.

Keeper of Soles Written by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by Yayo

A shoe cobbler named Colin must come up with ingenious ways of cheating death, when death comes knocking at his door.

John, Paul, George, and Ben Written and illustrated by Lane Smith

This revolutionary tale is about the young adventures of John, Paul, Geroge, Ben and Tom who grow up to be America's founding fathers.

Ugly Fish Written by Kara Lareau and illustrated by Scott Magoon

An ugly fish enjoys life in his lonely tank, but must learn to be nice when his tank gets some new friends.

Traction Man meets Turbodog written and illustrated by Mini Grey

The action figure Traction Man teams up with turbodog to go on a rescue mission.

"Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate by Bob Graham Illustrated by Bob Graham

Kate is a young girl who wants a puppy. After going to a rescue center she finds two dogs that she likes very much. Will she get the dog she wants?

A Day In The Life of Murphy by Alice Provensen Illustrated by Alice Provensen

Murphy is a dog who sleeps in a barn with other animals. He loves food and he tries to be the first one to the bowl inside the house. He spends one night inside the house; will he miss his bed in the barn?

That New Animal by Emily Jenkins Illustrated by Pierre Pratt

Fudge Fudge and Marshmallow are two pets that a couple has. After the birth of their first son, Fudge Fudge and Marshmallow becomes jealous of his attention. Will they accept the baby, or the new animal like they call it?

A Couple of Boys Have The Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee Illustrated by Marla Frazee

Eamon and James are two boys who are friends. They go to a camp with Eamon's grandparents. Will this camping trip teach them new things?

Traction Man Is Here! Written and Illustrated by Mini Grey

The little boy's action figure, Traction Man, uses his imagination to accomplish daily tasks.

Hachiko The Ture Story of a Loyal Dog Written by Pamela S. Turner Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene

A dog named Hachiko stays loyal to his owner even after a devastating surprise.

The Daddy Mountain Written and Illustrated by Jules Feiffer

A little girl takes on one of her most difficult challenges by climbing up her daddy.

While We Were Out Written and Illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

A rabbit decides to explore the apartment while the family goes and visits grandma.

Looking for a Moose written Phyllis Root and illustrated by Randy Cecil

Four children set off on an adventure to look for a moose and make an incredible discovery.

Clip-Clop! written and illustrated by Nicola Smee

Mr. Horse takes his friends cat, dog, pig, and duck on an exciting ride.

Meet Wild Boars written by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall

Four wild boars try to prove that they are not just "wild" boars and give more excitement than some can handle.

Cool Daddy Rat written by Krysten Crow and illustrated by Mike Lester

A young rat named Ace goes on an adventure with his bass playing cool Daddy rat.

Surprise Soup written by Mary Ann Rodman

Underestimated Kevie turns out to be a big help in making soup for Mama and his new baby brother.

The Bog Baby written by Jeanne Willis

Chrissy and her sister make a new friend when they take a trip to the magic pond in Bluebell Woods.

The Pencil written by Allan Ahlberg

The pencil finally makes a move to end its awful loneliness.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Alexie Sherman

Arnold must struggle with his double life on the reservation and at his new school.

Mouse Mess written by Linnea Riley

When everyone goes to sleep, a hungry little mouse uses the kitchen and all its contents for his messy entertainment.

Mik's Mammoth written by Roy Gerrard

When Mik is left behind by his tribe, he finds friendship in a young mammoth and together they find innovative ways to survive.

The Handmade Alphabet written by Laura Rankin

The alphabet is creatively displayed through the hand gestures of American Sign Language and carefully painted pictures of letter-similar images.

The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks written by Katherine Patterson

When a lord's captured possession, a beautiful drake is released. The lord goes on a mission to hurt those who betrays him.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed written by Mo Willems

Wilbur likes getting dressed in many outfits and is made fun of by the other naked mole rats because he is different from them, until Grand-pah makes his proclamation.

Dinosaurs VS. Bedtime written by Bob Shea

Dinosaurs are fierce creatures and cannot be beat by many things they come up against; except maybe bedtime.

The Snow Day written by Komako Sakai

A little rabbit wakes up to a day spent waiting for the snow to stop falling, so he can go outside and play in it. As he waits, he and his mommy play games until his father’s arrival.

Put It on the List written by Karen Darbyshire

A family of chickens quickly discovers the importance of a list.

Coming on Home Soon written by Jacqueline

Ada Ruth waits nervously for her mother to come home from a job far away.

Kitten’s First Full Moon written by Kevin Henkes

A kitty chases after the moon thinking that it is a bowl of milk.

Five Creatures by Emily Jenkins

A family of five enjoys spending time together and discovers differences among them.

The Hickory Chair written by Lisa Rowe Fraustino

In an adventure search, Louis struggles to find the note that grandma left before she passes away.

Bunny Cakes written by Rosemary Wells

Max and his sister Ruby are making a cake for their grandma’s birthday but they have different taste.

Cat Up a Tree by written by John and Ann Hassett

Nana Quimy discovers cats up a tree and calls different stores for help.

I Lost my Bear written by Jules Feiffer

A little girl lost her bear and her mother tells her, “Try to think like a detective.”

Knuffle Bunny written by Mo Willems

Trixie lost her knuffle bunny at the laundromat and cries for help.

Emeline at the Circus written by Marjorie Princeman

Emeline discovers the world of the circus when the elephant makes her part of the show.

Good Night, Good Knight written by Shelley Moore Thomas

There are three little dragons who live in a dark cave, but cannot go to sleep so they roar loudly.

Ginger written by Charlotte Voake

Ginger cannot seem to accept a new change because of a simple jealousy.

Pete's a Pizza written by William Steig

On a raining day, Pete cannot play outside so his dad comes to the rescue.