Charlotte Zolotow Award

The Charlotte Zolotow is awarded annually for the best picture book text published in the United States the preceding year. Books considered must be appropriate for children birth through seven years of age. They must also be child centered and/or written from a child’s point of view.

Bang, M. (1999). When sophie gets angry-really, really angry... New York, NY: The Blue Sky Press.

 Children's Picture Book: Realistic. It’s Sophie’s sister’s turn to play with the toy gorilla, which makes Sophie very angry. Angry enough to explode! So she runs far from home, climbs a tree and allows nature’s presence to calm her. When she’s ready, she returns to her family. Though the text is simple, it’s a significant and nonjudgmental look at how people of any age can learn to handle their angry moments. Molly Bang illustrates this book in flowing colors that reflect the mood and tone of the book at every stage, from fiery rage to soothing peace. Recommend as an excellent read-aloud for ages two-six, and a wonderful mentor text for counselors, parents and teachers working with any elementary-age child struggling to manage their anger. Awarded Caldecott Honor Book and Charlotte Zolotow Award, both in 2000.

                                                                                                                                     

Keller, H. (2002). farfallina & marcel. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

                      Children’s Picture Book: Fantasy. One spring day Farfallina, a caterpillar, and a young gosling named Marcel meet and form a fast friendship. They play games and enjoy each other’s company, until the day Farfallina feels funny and climbs away. As Marcel waits weeks for her to return, he transforms into an adult goose. When Farfallina emerges as a butterfly and looks for her old friend, neither recognize the other at first. Holly Keller also illustrates this gentle book about friendship and the acceptance of differences. Keller’s watercolors are simple, and lend a serenity that fits the mood of the text. This is an endearing book appropriate for a read-aloud to children ages 4-8--not only for its social lessons, but for its educational value in so accurately depicting the life changes of its characters. Awarded Publisher’s Weekly Best Book and Charlotte Zolotow Award, both in 2003. 

Graham, B. (2010). April and esme: Tooth fairies. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

                       Children’s Picture Book: Fantasy. The Underhill family are tooth fairies living in a tiny house near a freeway. One day 7 yr. old April and 6 yr. old Esme get a call. Daniel’s lost a tooth and Grandma needs their services. Mom and Dad are reluctant to let the girls go on their first job in the big city all alone, but are cajoled into it. Ensues is the magical story of how the girls find their destination, exchange the tooth for a gold coin and return safe and sound to their tiny house by the highway. Graham’s humor shines in the Underhill’s dialogue, but is more prominent in his trade-mark watercolor illustrations. The Underhills are depicted as somewhat of a hippy-type fairy family and in one scene it is clear that Esme is headed towards collecting Grandma’s dentures too. View as a beautiful, fantastical read aloud for ages 4-8, though older independent readers will gain more from Graham’s humorous intent. View also as great mentor text for discussion with children on venturing out into the world, or ‘spreading one’s wings’, so to speak. Awarded The Charlotte Zolotow Award in 2011.