Prairie Bud Nominees 2009-2010

Kate Banks

Max is looking for words that rhyme. His dragon is in his wagon — or was, for now its tail has left a trail, which Max follows. He finds an umbrella on the ground — “Found, ground,” he says, while his older brothers mock him for believing in dragons and sitting under an umbrella when it isn't even raining. But Max believes in possibilities — and when he can show his brothers not only a dragon in the stormy clouds but also a dinosaur, they begin to come round. When Max demonstrates the power of his rhyming words to tame the dinosaur and the dragon and make the rain come, he wins them over completely.

Grade Level: K-2
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Elise Broach

Just when a little boy thinks he's going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable, the most stupendous thing happens. He discovers that on this day, and this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat with any purchase. No, not the usual lollipop or sticker. Something bigger. Much, MUCH bigger. It's a dream come true, except… what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?

Grade Level: K-2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Peter Brown WINNER!

When Chowder goes off to the Fabu Pooch Boot Camp, as usual he just doesn't fit in. Chowder tries his best, but his attempts to make himself more fabulous all fall flat. When the First Annual Fabu Pooch Pageant is announced, Chowder anxiously tries to think of a way to stand out. After all, the prize is a one-year supply of Snarf Snacks! Some pups practice their pearly grins, other hounds get massages to relax. One pooch even gets permed! But Chowder finds his calling when he discovers a trampoline. He leaps, he flips, he bounces, and he wows the crowd!

Grade Level: K-1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Stephanie Calmenson

Children encounter dogs wherever they go: in the park, on the sidewalk, at their friends' homes. Sometimes it's love at first sight, on both sides — but not always. The right way for a child to approach a dog to ensure that the first connection is a complete success begins with this question to the owner: “May I pet your dog?” Using Harry the dachshund as a gentle guide, Stephanie Calmenson addresses this valuable yet overlooked topic with care and precision, and Jan Ormerod's warm illustrations portray a wide variety of breeds and personalities and depict situations that are realistic but never scary. Unique and straightforward, this is the essential guide to bringing children and dogs together — for kids and parents alike.

Grade Level: K-2
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Nancy Coffelt

Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, Fred Stays with Me follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent's house to the other's, giving her a sense of continuity and stability. With a simple text and childlike language, the story expresses and addresses a child's concerns, highlights the friendship between child and pet, presents a common ground for the parents, and resolves conflict in a positive way. Tricia Tusa's charming and whimsical artwork adds a light, happy feel to this poignant — but not overly sentimental — story.

Grade Level: K-1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers