winners of the clara j. johns literary awards 2026
BEST PICTURE BOOK & ILLUSTRATION
1st place:bubble sea
By: Danielle Mariett
2nd place:
Night, Night Wolfie By: Kristin Blakely
MOST CREATIVE
1ST PLACE : THE CAM-MAC ADVENTURE EXPRESS
2nd place:
Birdie’s Fitness Fun By: Jessica Nicole McAnelly
BEST BLOSSOMING CHAPTER BOOK
1ST PLACE: THE ADVENTURES OF SYD LOST IN BONE CAVE
By: Danielle Simone
BEST EARLY READER BOOK & ILLUSTRATION
1st place:KYLE AND HIS PAL JAKE WHAT A DUO THESE TWO MAKE
By: Christian Kueng
2nd place:
Biscuit Bunny Learns To Say No By: Kerry Howard
3rd place:
Oh Brother! I’m A Brother By: Raven Daley
Honorable Mentions
Up, Up, Up By: Evelyn Ortiz & Eli J. Medina
Skip Puppy Learns To Pour By: Kerry Howard
BEST RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL
1ST PLACE: HIRO, LANI, AND WAZ’S GENTLE GOODBYE
