2022 Monarch Award List
Check out this year's nominees!
Peter and Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths
By Graham Annable
Peter and Ernesto are best friends! Ernesto wants to travel and see the world, but Peter is too scared. What happens when Ernesto leaves Peter behind? Read to find out!
I Am Every Good Thing
By Derrick Barnes
A story that focuses on the empowerment of young black boys everywhere. This book highlights what black boys can do!
SumoKitty
By David Biedrzycki
An orphan kitten becomes enthralled with sumo wrestling and begins to live with a group of rikishi to keep their heya free of mice.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar
By Ross Burach
A caterpillar wants to go through metamorphosis, but really does not have the patience for the process. It just wants to turn into a butterfly, right NOW!
Hair Love
By Matthew A. Cherry
Zuri wants the perfect hairstyle for a big day! Can Daddy come through and help achieve the perfect look?
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
By Jamie L. B. Deenihan
This story talks about how even an unexpected gift, like a lemon tree, can lead to bigger things. The message of making lemonade of lemons receives the book treatment with funny results!
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
By Candace Fleming
Learn about the different stages of life of the honeybee in this beautifully illustrated title.
Federico and the Wolf
By Rebecca J. Gomez
In this twist of the popular tale, Federico needs to bring ingredients to Abuelo at his shop, so he can make something tasty. But, he runs into a tricky wolf along the way, who is hungry for something other than pico de gallo.
Potato Pants!
By Laurie Keller
Every potato in town wants their own pair of pants. They mark their calendars. They count down the days. But when the main potato of our story runs into Eggplant near the store to purchase pants, plans change.
This Way, Charlie
By Caron Levis
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A quiet story of an unlikely friendship between a goat, Jack, and a horse, Charlie, at the Open Bud Ranch, where animals get a second chance
Fly Bread
By Kevin Noble Maillard
Through fry bread, readers are invited to learn how this treat reflects the past and present in Native American culture.
The Camping Trip
By Jennifer K. Mann
Ernestine has never gone camping before, and cannot pass up the chance to head out into the wilderness with her Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha.
Lubna and Pebble
By Wendy Meddour
Lubna is far from home and finds a friend in Pebble, who she meets when she arrives to the world of tents. Pebble is the only thing that gives her comfort in this strange, new world.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
By Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
When the first day of school rolls around, Faizah is so excited that her sister is wearing a hijab. Even when others are cruel, Asiya wears her hijab proudly
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story From the Border
By Mitali Perkins
Juan and Maria are so excited to visit their Abuela to celebrate Las Posadas. But, she lives in Mexico and they live in the United States. How will they see her? How will she get their gifts?
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
By Rob Sanders
Learn about the LGBTQ+ rights movement through the creation of the rainbow flag.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
By Traci Sorell
This book focuses on the four seasons, and what those seasons mean to Cherokee people (and how they recognize that passage of time).
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
By Sonia Sotomayer
In this story, children share mostly medical attributes about themselves, sometimes visible, sometimes not, which makes them different. This story embraces these differences and encourages kids to ask when they don’t understand something.
Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuko Ando
By Andrea Wang
This is the true story of how instant ramen was invented!
Mia Mayhem is a Superhero!
By Kara West
Mia’s world is turned upside down when she receives a special letter in the mail inviting her to attend superhero training. Turns out, she is from a family of superheroes!