Favorite Picture Book Award

The elementary teacher librarians began the Favorite Picture Book Award Project in 1999. Each fall, nine or ten "hot off the press" picture books are chosen for grades K-2 and 3-5 to read and enjoy. Students then vote on their favorite. The authors and illustrators of the winning books are sent a letter of congratulations and an award certificate to let them know our students chose their books as their favorites of the year.

This project is currently being supported through donations from the following Ottumwa businesses: Cargill Meat Solutions, NOEL Insurance, and McCune & Reed Insurance. Their generosity is truly appreciated.

An unexpected result of the program has been the warm and generous responses received from many of the winning authors and illustrators, from thank-you letters or e-mails to autographed books or posters to original artwork to story CD's. These items are shared with our students, and each time our students are excited to know that they have been in touch with a real author.

Ribbon and a certificate

Past Winners of the OCSD Favorite Picture Book Award

1999-2000

  • Grades K-2: What! Cried Granny, written by Kate Lum and illustrated by Adrian Johnson

2000-2001

  • Grades K-2: The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue, written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Bob Doucet
  • Grades 3-6: The Raft, written and illustrated by Jim LaMarche

2001-2002

  • Grades K-2: Take Me Out of the Bathtub, written by Alan Katz and illustrated by David Catrow
  • Grades 3-6: Tough Beginnings, written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Anna Vojtech

2002-2003

  • Grades K-2: The Recess Queen, written by Alexis O'Neill and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
  • Grades 3-6: The Princess and the Pizza, written by Mary Jane Auch and illustrated by Herm and Mary Jane Auch

2003-2004

  • Grades K-2: What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
  • Grades 3-6: Jackalope, by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

2004-2005

  • Grades K-2: Superdog, by Caralyn and Mark Buehner
  • Grades 3-6: Oliver's Game, written and illustrated by Matt Tavares

2005-2006

  • Grades K-2: Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth, written by Alison McGhee and illustrated by Harry Bliss
  • Grades 3-6: Mr. Maxwell's Mouse, written by Frank Asch and illustrated by Devin Asch

2006-2007

  • Grades K-2: Fancy Nancy, written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
  • Grades 3-6: Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburg Pirates, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Raul Colon

2007-2008

  • Grades K-2: The Snow Globe Family, written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by S. D. Schindler
  • Grades 3-6: Owen and Mzee, told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu; with photos by Peter Greste

2009-2010

  • Grades K-2: Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder
  • Grades 3-6: Help Me, Mr. Mutt by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevns Crummell

2010-2011

  • Grades K-2: Put It On The List by Kristen Darbyshire
  • Grades 3-5: Bad News For Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

2011-2012

  • Grades K-2: Charlie The Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond
  • Grade 3-5: Art & Max by David Weisner

2012-2013

  • Grades K-2: Meet The Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz
  • Grades 3-5: Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins

2013-14

  • Grades K-2: Z Is For Moose by Kelly L. Bingham
  • Grades 3-5: Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?... by David Levinthal

2014-2015

  • Grades K-2: Nino Wrestles The World by Yuyi Morales
  • Grades 3-5: Nino Wrestles The World by Yuyi Morales