Ezra Jack Keats Award · 2023

The 2023 Ezra Jack Keats Award

How to Say Hello to a Worm and Hot Dog won the 2023 Ezra Jack Keats Award. Browse them alongside all 4 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2023 Ezra Jack Keats Award Winner · Writer
How to Say Hello to a Worm
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 2–4 · 2022

How to Say Hello to a Worm

By Kari Percival

Discover the wonders of a garden through a child's eyes, embracing nature's magic.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (2023)
40 pages
4.1/5 Goodreads · 738 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Step into a garden where curiosity leads the way. With no adults in sight, children explore the wonders of worms, dirt, and peas, guided by gentle questions and answers. This enchanting journey invites readers to connect with nature at their own pace, whether they're seasoned explorers or hesitant beginners. Experience the garden's magic through vivid digital woodcut illustrations and a soothing narrative that celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Will you find your own path to appreciating the simple joys of gardening?
2023 Ezra Jack Keats Award Winner · Illustrator
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Hot Dog

A dog's day in the city and at the beach.

40 pages· 131 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,762 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the sweltering city, a weary pup has had enough of the heat and noise. His owner whisks him away on a journey to the beach, where the sea and sand offer a refreshing escape. As the pup runs free, the soothing waves promise a newfound calm. Will this adventure help them find peace and appreciate life's small joys?
2023 Honor Books
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2022

Everything in Its Place

A shy girl finds unexpected community when her library sanctuary closes.

40 pages· 692 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 662 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Nicky, a shy girl, finds solace in her school library until it closes for a week, forcing her to confront her social anxiety. At her mother's diner, she encounters a diverse women's motorcycle club, discovering that being different doesn't mean being alone. As she navigates this new world, Nicky learns that there's a place for everyone, and that words can bridge connections and foster empathy. Will she find her voice and embrace the community around her?
Picture Book · Ages 2–5 · 2022

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me

A girl finds inner peace and courage, even when away from home.

32 pages· 231 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 410 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A young girl adores her cozy home, filled with the scent of cinnamon tea. Yet, when away, she learns to create her own sanctuary within. As darkness looms and fears arise, she discovers the light inside her, finding courage and calm. This heartwarming tale invites young readers to explore the power of self-reliance and inner peace, showing that everything needed for joy and love is already within us. Will she embrace her inner strength and find comfort wherever she goes?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Emile and the Field

By Kevin Young, Chioma Ebinama (Illustrator)

A boy's love for a field faces a winter challenge of sharing.

40 pages
3.9/5 Goodreads · 479 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Emile adores the field near his home, a sanctuary of bees and blossoms through spring, summer, and fall. But winter brings a challenge: sharing his beloved space with other children and their sleds. Can Emile find joy in sharing and discover new wonders in the field's winter transformation? This enchanting tale explores a child's bond with nature and the magic of imagination.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky

A young girl discovers unexpected magic in a new land after leaving her home behind.

48 pages· 267 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
3.9/5 Goodreads · 509 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Zahra's world is turned upside down when her family must leave their desert home by the sea. As they journey to a new land, Zahra wonders if she'll ever belong again. In the unfamiliar desert of New Mexico, she finds unexpected magic and begins to see that home might not be as distant as she feared. Will Zahra find a place where she truly belongs, or will the memories of her past keep her from embracing the present? This evocative tale of immigration and discovery invites readers to explore the meaning of home and belonging.
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