The Monarch Awards is a Readers’ Choice Award for readers grades K-3! This award was established in 2003 by the Illinois Media Association (ISLMA). One of the main goals of this award is help familiarize younger children with books, authors and illustrators while cultivating a deep love for literature.
This award is given to a single winner after all the votes from kids grades K-3 are in. The nominees are chosen by a volunteer committee that take the recommendations of people like librarians, teachers, and students, and then they create a master list of 20 titles that includes picture books, easy reads, and chapter books.
Take a look at this year’s nominees and find out how your community can participate here: AISLE – The Monarch Award: Illinois’ K-3 Readers’ Choice Award (aisled.org)
- Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki
- Lou by Breanna Carzoo
- Tig and Lily: Tiger Trouble by Dan Thompson
- Gibberish by Young Vo
- Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, he did.) by Ryan T. Higgins
- Jackie and The Mona Lisa by Deborah Rovin-Murphy
- Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell
- Dragon Bones by Sarah Glenn Marsh
- Wildfire! by Ashley Wolff
- Our Planet!: There is No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty
- Rise to the Sky by Rebecca E. Hirsch
- There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
- I am the Shark by Joan Holub
- Destiny Finds Her Way by Margarita Engle
- Every Night is Pizza Night by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
- Hidden Animal Colors by Jane Park
- Facts Vs. Opinions. Vs. Robots by Michael Rex
- Big Truck, Little Island by Chris Van Dusen
- Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady
- Grandpa Grumps by Katrina Moore
Many of our favorite books have been recipients of this award, including authors like David Shannon (the first winner of the award), Drew Daywalt, and Laura Murray! Here are just a few of the past winners for this award, click on the titles below to place a hold!
