Monarch Award List 2023-24
Title: Avocado Asks: What Am I?
By: Abe, Momoko
Published: 2021
Suggested ages and summaries are from the publisher or each item’s library catalog record.
An avocado faces an identity crisis when it doesn't know if it's a fruit or a vegetable.
Ages 3 to 7
Title: There's a Skeleton Inside You!
By: Ben-Barak, Idan
Published: 2020
Two aliens are on their way to a party when their space ship breaks down. They ask for help from the reader and show how the bones, muscles, and nerves work to help the aliens fix their ship.
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us
By: Castillo, Lauren
Published: 2020
When a storm separates Hedgehog from her lifelong friend, Mutty, she bravely sets out to find him and makes some very good new friends in the process.
Ages 5 to 9
Title: Swashby and the Sea
By: Ferry, Beth
Published: 2020
No-nonsense Captain Swashby is used to the sea meeting all of his needs and when, after his retirement, new neighbors disturb his solitary life, the sea helps in just the right way.
Ages 2 to 6
Title: Not Quite Snow White
By: Franklin, Ashley
Published: 2019
Tameika is excited to audition for the school's Snow White musical, but when she overhears her classmates say she is too tall, chubby, and brown to play Snow White, she questions whether she is right for the part.
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Capybara Is Friends with Everyone
By: Frost, Maddie
Published: 2022
Capybara will do anything for his friends. But it's exhausting--and when Capybara meets a potential new friend who doesn't seem to be responding to his advances, Capybara learns a valuable lesson. His friends like him just for who he is.
Ages 4 to 8
Title: How to Find a Fox
By: Gardner, Kate
Published: 2021
Look for tracks. Listen for yips. Be as still as a pebble... Follow along as we explore different landscapes and seasons in search of one of our planet's most graceful and enchanting creatures: the red fox.
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Stormy
By: Guojing
Published: 2019
A stray pup. A kind woman. A fierce storm. How they come together is at the heart of this ... wordless picture book that celebrates patience, friendship, and finding a forever home.
Ages 3 to 7
Title: Set Your Alarm, Sloth
By: Keating, Jess
Published: 2021
Dr. Sugar Glider is back to help animals with problems large and small! A sloth with algae on her back, a sneezing iguana, a leaderless clownfish, and a lovesick egret are just a few of the creatures who call on Dr. Glider for advice. Featuring hilarious stories and unbelievable true facts.
Title: Ducks Run Amok!
By: Morris, J. E.
Published: 2021
When a flock of ducks arrives at an unsuspecting turtle's pond, the turtle is mistaken for a green duck and can't seem to convince anyone otherwise. Can the turtle find a way to take back the pond and get some peace and quiet once more?
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Sulwe
By: Nyong'o, Lupita
Published: 2019
When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.
Ages 5 to 8
Title: Meesha Makes Friends
By: Percival, Tom
Published: 2021
When it comes to making friends, Meesha often doesn't know what to do, what to say, or when to say it. But she does know how to make things, so one day she decides to make her own 'friends' out of found materials. And best of all, her creations just might help her make a real-life friend, too.
Ages 3 to 6
Title: Pizza: A Slice of History
By: Pizzoli, Greg
Published: 2022
Do YOU like PIZZA? Because right now, somewhere in the world, someone is eating it. Did you know that in the United States we eat 350 slices of pizza every second? Or that in Sweden they serve pizza with bananas and peanuts? All over the world, people love pizza-but where did it come from?
Title: Ship in a Bottle
By: Prahin, Andrew
Published: 2021
Mouse lives in constant fear of the cat and is searching for a better life, so she sets off in her ship in a bottle to look for a new home.
Ages 3 to 7
Title: This Very Tree
By: Rubin, Sean
Published: 2021
A deeply moving nonfiction picture book about the 9/11 Survivor Tree and the spirit of America.
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Chez Bob
By: Shea, Bob
Published: 2021
A lazy alligator comes up with a plan to lure his prey by opening up a restaurant for birds--until he realizes that birds are even better as friends.
Title: Mel Fell
By: Tabor, Corey R.
Published: 2021
Readers will delight in turning their book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.
Ages 2 to 7
Title: Ogilvy
By: Underwood, Deborah
Published: 2019
When Ogilvy moves to a new town, the possibilities feel endless ... But in this town, bunnies in dresses play ball and knit socks, and bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks. Ogilvy wants to do everything--and won't let a sweater or a dress get in the way!
Ages 4 to 8
Title: Someone Builds the Dream
By: Wheeler, Lisa
Published: 2021
Celebrates the skilled women and men who work to see the plans of architects, engineers, and designers brought to life.
Ages 5 to 8
Title: Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
By: Zhang, Kat
Published: 2019
Amy is determined to make a perfect dumpling like her parents and grandmother do, but hers are always too empty, too full, or not pinched together properly.
Ages 4 to 7