BlueRibbonAward

Blue Ribbon awards are awarded by The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. It is awarded to the children's books that they believe represent the best of the previous year's literature for youth.

According to the committee for the Blue Ribbon Award:

"In the symbolism of heraldry, azure blue signifies sincerity. Among the Druids, blue was the symbol of truth; among the medieval Christians, blue was an emblem of immortality. In the United States--at county fairs, in spelling bees, in competitive events--the blue ribbon is the coveted prize, the symbol of the first place winner, the designation of an accomplishment not contained by regular parameters. When discussing possible titles for The Bulletin Blue Ribbons list, our reviewers loyally present their favorites, while at the same time they sincerely attempt to understand one another's reservations and criticisms. We look for those titles that we believe will stand the tests of time, young readers, and changing literary fashions. The rigors of our discussions leave us tired and satisfied, and in possession of a list of Blue Ribbon titles we are proud to present to our readers."

The things we think they look for:

1. Throughout our books we observed that in many of them the main characters had obstacles that they had to overcome. For example, in A Visitor For Bear the mouse has to help Bear realize that visitors can in fact be wonderful. Another example is in the book Dizzy, a young boy finds out that even though life is tough and it is easy to become bad he can be great when he plays his trumpet. Also he finds out that he doesn't have to follow the rules when he plays his music. He can in fact make up his own rules.

2. Throughout our books that we saw that in many of them the illustrations were quite good, and went well with the story. For example in Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! the illustrations show the emotions, and also go with the way the book is written. Another example of this is in Lady Muck, in this book the illustrations are old fashioned, in which the language is also. Without these illustrations the books would not accomplish what they intended to.

3. In the set of books that we chose to read and report on, there was a definite sense of community. One example of this is in Pictures From Our Vacation, the children were not having that great of a time until all of their family was enjoying this vacation with them. In one spread, the kids are remembering the family being there, even after they left. The spread reiterates the sense of community the kids have with their family. Also, in I Stink!, the garbage truck is instilling a sense of community in the reader because although we may think that trash is gross, the garbage truck actually enjoys it, and thanks us for throwing our trash away! Although not every book may do this, the majority of them do.

4. In our Blue Ribbon Award Winning books we found a similarity between the characters and their motives. For example in John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith and a Keeper of Soles by Teresa Bateman, there was a need for the characters to fight for their life and liberties. John, Paul, George, and Ben are fighting for their rights and freedom in a tale of five youngsters who grew up to be the five founding fathers of the American Revolution. The other example comes from the character Colin in the book Keeper of Soles. In his story, Colin spends his time fighting for his survival by continuingly outwitting death.

5. Blue Ribbon Award wining books also share a common thread when it comes to style of the pictures. The pictures in Ugly Fish by Kara Lareau, Keeper of Soles, and John, Paul, George, and Ben are all drawn in a cartoonish style. This particular style aids the books by allowing their more serious topics, of death and war, to not present too daunting of a tone. So by having the cartoon style the books can talk about serious topics in a lighter way.

6. Blue Ribbon Award Winning books also share a theme of excitement. In Cool Daddy Rat, Clip Clop, Looking For a Moose, and Meet Wild Boars each story has somewhat of an adventure the characters must go on. For example, in Looking For A Moose, the children go on an adventure in search to find a moose. Another example is in Meet Wild Boars. The Wild Boars are trying to prove they are nice boars but keep running into the problem of them being "wild." The authors are trying to make the story exciting and loud and these examples prove that is what happens.

Another thing that the Blue Ribbon Award books have in common is a sense of family togetherness. Particularly in Put it on the List and Surprise Soup. For example, in Put it on the List a family of chickens repeatedly runs out of commonly used items in their house. After a while of this happening the family decides that putting things on a family list together would make it easier to remember to get the things they need before they run out. This display of a cooperative family is also shown in Surprise Soup. When Mama bear is coming home from the hospital with a new baby, Papa bear, big brother Josh and little brother Kevie decide to surprise her with the best soup ever. They find that only after each of them adds their special ingredients is the soup the best it can be.

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, Mik's Mammoth and The Pencil we see an abundance of celebration for a character being an individual and for being creative. 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.

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 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 become 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 devasting surprise.

The Daddy Mountain Written and Illustrated by Jules Feiffer

A little girl takes on one of her most difficult challenges 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 the 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

Mik is left behind by his tribe and 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 ASL and carefully painted pictures of letter-similar images.

The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks written by Katherine Patterson

When a lord's captured possesion, a beautiful drake, is released, he goes on a mission to hurt those who betrayed 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 snow day that is 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 and wait for his father to arrive.

Put It on the List written by Karen Darbyshire

This family of chickens are not able to have what they need throughout the week when they are not added to mom's list. This causes unwanted disruption in their busy schedules and they quickly find the importance of a list.