2026 Children's Book Award Finalists: Ben St. James, Dawn Feltrop. Not pictured: Sherry Krehbiel, Nancy McCabe, Lois Ruby
Picture Books for Children:
Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town, by Ben St. James
Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray!, by Dawn Feltrop
Ezra’s Valentine: A Story of Kindness and Love, by Sherry Krehbiel
Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town, by Ben St. James
Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray!, by Dawn Feltrop
Ezra’s Valentine: A Story of Kindness and Love, by Sherry Krehbiel
Judge: Feliza Carter is a retired school library media specialist who dedicated nearly two decades to transforming school libraries into dynamic hubs of imagination and discovery. She holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma and brings a vibrant, fun-loving energy to her work. Throughout her versatile career, Feliza worked across preschool through high school libraries and served as a collection development specialist for multiple schools. This allowed her to expertly curate diverse, engaging, and resource-rich collections uniquely tailored to spark curiosity in young minds of all ages. Though officially retired, Feliza remains deeply passionate about literacy and continues to champion the vital role libraries play in building strong communities.
Kansas Authors Club Children’s Book Award
Picture Book for Children
Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! by Dawn Feltrop is a splendidly crafted picture book that transforms the abstract concept of perseverance into an entertaining, relatable tale for children. By centering the story on Rosemary—a wonderfully believable and gritty protagonist struggling to hatch—Feltrop creates an authentic, empowering role model who shows young readers that facing hard barriers is just a natural part of growing up. Feltrop’s bouncy narrative poem establishes a joyful, happy rhythm that effortlessly carries readers through the story to its satisfying conclusion.
Picture Book for Children
Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! by Dawn Feltrop is a splendidly crafted picture book that transforms the abstract concept of perseverance into an entertaining, relatable tale for children. By centering the story on Rosemary—a wonderfully believable and gritty protagonist struggling to hatch—Feltrop creates an authentic, empowering role model who shows young readers that facing hard barriers is just a natural part of growing up. Feltrop’s bouncy narrative poem establishes a joyful, happy rhythm that effortlessly carries readers through the story to its satisfying conclusion.
Kansas Authors Club Children’s Book Award
Middle Grade
Lois Ruby’s In Living Fire: Zeb Finley and the Hornswoggled Thief is an expertly written historical adventure that perfectly pairs period details with a fast-paced, emotionally rich narrative. Ruby excels at blending history seamlessly into the plot, deftly weaving vibrant historical details and context directly into the action and dialogue. This creates an authentic, immersive world. The rich backdrop is brought to life by Zeb Finley and a cast of exceptionally well-developed, multi-dimensional characters who carry distinct voices and compelling motivations. What truly elevates the writing, however, is Ruby’s ability to tackle heavy themes. By balancing darker elements like grief and serious crime with a healthy dose of humor and high-stakes action, she delivers a deeply satisfying, vibrant, and uplifting tale.
Middle Grade
Lois Ruby’s In Living Fire: Zeb Finley and the Hornswoggled Thief is an expertly written historical adventure that perfectly pairs period details with a fast-paced, emotionally rich narrative. Ruby excels at blending history seamlessly into the plot, deftly weaving vibrant historical details and context directly into the action and dialogue. This creates an authentic, immersive world. The rich backdrop is brought to life by Zeb Finley and a cast of exceptionally well-developed, multi-dimensional characters who carry distinct voices and compelling motivations. What truly elevates the writing, however, is Ruby’s ability to tackle heavy themes. By balancing darker elements like grief and serious crime with a healthy dose of humor and high-stakes action, she delivers a deeply satisfying, vibrant, and uplifting tale.
RSS Feed