The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award · 2017

The 2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award

Muddy, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, Plume, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, The Way Home in the Night, Town Is by the Sea, A River, King of the Sky and Feather won the 2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award.

2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Muddy
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Muddy

By Michael Mahin, Evan Turk (Illustrator)

A defiant musician's journey from Mississippi fields to Chicago fame reshapes music history.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)Ezra Jack Keats Award (2018)
48 pages· 1,451 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 631 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Muddy Waters defies expectations, leaving Mississippi's fields for Chicago's vibrant music scene. Despite doubts from family and producers, his relentless spirit and unique blues sound transform the music world. Will his determination and talent overcome the odds and change the course of music history? Discover the inspiring journey of a man who refused to be silenced, paving the way for rock and roll.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

By Monica Brown, John Parra (Illustrator), F. Isabel Campoy (Translator)

Discover how Frida Kahlo's pets inspired her art and life.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)ALA Notable Children's Books Honor (2018)Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year (2018)
40 pages· 990 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,315 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the vibrant world of Frida Kahlo through her beloved animal companions. From monkeys to a fawn, each pet reflects a piece of Frida's spirit. How did these creatures shape her iconic art and life? Dive into a playful journey that captures the essence of one of the most influential painters, revealing the unique bond between artist and animal.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

On a Magical Do-Nothing Day

By Beatrice Alemagna

A rainy day reveals the magic of unplugged exploration.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
40 pages· 608 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.8/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,080 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On a rainy day, a child longs to play their favorite game, but their mom insists it's a waste of time. Forced to unplug, the child discovers the enchanting world outside, sparking imagination and wonder. Will they find joy beyond the screen? Dive into 'On a Magical Do-Nothing Day' and explore the beauty of nature through stunning illustrations and heartfelt storytelling. This picture book invites readers to lose themselves in a world of creativity and discovery, perfect for those seeking a break from the digital world.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Plume
Sale price
$1710
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2012

Plume

By Isabelle Simler

A cat stalks birds in a playful counting adventure.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
42 pages
4.1/5 Goodreads · 645 ratings
$18.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore a world of vibrant birds, from chickens to ibises, while a curious cat lurks on every page. This whimsical counting book invites young readers to discover hidden surprises and enjoy delightful illustrations. Will the cat catch the birds, or is there more to this playful pursuit? Dive into a charming tale where numbers and nature intertwine, sparking curiosity and laughter.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2017

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

By Jonah Winter, Stacy Innerst (Illustrator)

A woman defies societal norms to become a Supreme Court Justice.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
48 pages
4.4/5 Goodreads · 972 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, growing up in 1930s Brooklyn, faced societal and familial pressures to conform. Despite these challenges, she pursued law at Cornell, where she met her husband, Martin. Battling discrimination, she became Columbia Law's first tenured female professor and a Supreme Court Justice. This story, structured like a court case, reveals her relentless fight against injustice, transforming her into a symbol of perseverance and equality.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
The Way Home in the Night
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 5–6 · 2015

The Way Home in the Night

By Akiko Miyakoshi

A bunny wonders about neighbors' nighttime activities as it drifts to sleep.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
32 pages· 201 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,060 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: As a young bunny journeys home through the night, it imagines the lives behind glowing windows. What stories unfold as neighbors talk, bake, and say goodnight? With each step, curiosity grows. Will the footsteps outside take the last train home? This enchanting tale invites children to explore the magic of nighttime wonder and the stories that linger in the dark. Through softly illustrated pages, the bunny's imagination weaves a tapestry of possibilities, prompting young readers to dream beyond what they see. What does it mean to be home, and what stories do the night hold?
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Town Is by the Sea
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1895
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2017

Town Is by the Sea

By Joanne Schwartz, Sydney Smith (Illustrator)

A boy's seaside day contrasts with his father's life in the dark mines.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2017)Kate Greenaway Medal (2018)
52 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,778 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a Cape Breton mining town, a young boy's day unfolds with the sea's whispers and family rituals. Yet, his thoughts drift to his father, laboring in the coal mines beneath the ocean. As the sunlit world above contrasts with the shadowy depths below, the boy grapples with the harsh realities of mining life. This poignant tale, enriched by Sydney Smith's evocative illustrations, captures the rhythm of a community bound by the sea and the mines. What secrets lie beneath the waves, and how do they shape the boy's understanding of his world?
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
A River
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2015

A River

By Marc Martin

A child's journey on a river reveals wonders and returns her home inspired.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
44 pages· 284 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.3/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 783 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A child gazes at a river outside her window, sparking an imaginative journey. A small boat carries her through bustling cities, serene farmlands, and wild oceans. Each scene unfolds new wonders, leading her back home, enriched and inspired. What mysteries will the river reveal next?
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
King of the Sky
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

King of the Sky

By Nicola Davies, Laura Carlin (Illustrator)

A lonely boy finds belonging through an unexpected friendship and a pigeon race.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
50 pages· 752 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
3.9/5 Goodreads · 497 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A young Italian boy, feeling lost in the Welsh hills, discovers friendship and a sense of belonging through an unexpected bond with an old man and his racing pigeons. As he learns to race pigeons, the boy's world begins to change, offering hope and connection in a foreign land. Will this newfound friendship help him find his place in a strange new world? This touching tale explores themes of loneliness, belonging, and the power of unlikely friendships.
2017 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Feather
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2012

Feather

By Remi Courgeon, Claudia Zoe Bedrick (Translator)

A girl takes up boxing to stand up to her brothers' demands.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)
32 pages
3.7/5 Goodreads · 246 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Feather, a piano-loving girl, is tired of her brothers' endless chores. To fight back, she takes up boxing, hoping to earn their respect and shed her nickname. As she trains, Feather's determination and sense of justice grow, challenging her to redefine herself and her place in the family. Will her newfound strength change the dynamics at home, or will it lead to unexpected consequences? Join Feather on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, where the fight for equality and acceptance takes center stage.
← 20162018 →
Every year

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winners by Year

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Book Store

Schools

Book Platform

Authors & Illustrators

Follow Bookroo

© 2026 Bookroo
Terms of ServicePrivacy Policy