The Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award 10th Anniversary Book Review

Written by Sue Corbin
Known as a beloved children's author and illustrator, Anna Dewdney requested that people read to a child in lieu of coming to her funeral when she passed away after a battle with brain cancer in 2016. She was an avid proponent of read-alouds, and so this award, which is given to books written and illustrated within the past three years that are perfect for reading to children and deal with "big feelings," is more than appropriate. Dewdney wrote about overcoming life's problems, and she did it with compassion, color, and humor. As a mother, daycare provider, and teacher at Greenwood School in Vermont, Dewdney understood the issues that children can have with life's problems. Her goal was to write books that could just make children - and their adults - feel better.
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The Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award was created in 2016 by Penguin Young Readers, the Children's Book Council, and Every Child a Reader (a national program in the United Kingdom to ensure that all children receive the literacy instruction they need). Voters are librarians, teachers, booksellers, and caregivers across the United States. The books are chosen for their social-emotional messages about "big feelings," as well as their literary quality. This year, 2026, marks the 10th anniversary of the award, which is usually announced in April or May each year, so it is fitting that we honor the books that were honored in the past (2017–2025) and look forward to this year's winner.
Note that while the books reviewed below are most appropriate for young children, ages 2–6, they are appealing to a wide range of ages and grades. Since they are awarded for their read-aloud characteristics, the books can and should be performed orally with emotion and lots of expression.​

2025 - My Hands Tell a Story. Kelly Starling Lyons. Illus. Tonya Engel. (2022). Reycraft Books.
Zoe and her grandmother are baking bread, and the grandmother is telling stories. Zoe is paying more attention to her grandmother's hands than the stories, as she is fascinated by the grandmother's rose-colored fingernails, her wedding band with flowers, and how her hands handle the bread dough so deftly. Grandmother explains that hands tell stories and encourages Zoe to see her future in her own hands. Illustrations show the love between grandmother and grandchild using oil paints to create a warm glow that reflects the giving of strength from one generation to another. Interview with the artists - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUY9XUxVn9s (PreK Up)

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2024 – KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day. Fera Ahiyya. Illus. Joey Chou. (2022). Random House Studio.
This is part of a two-book series titled KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day and Getting Ready for Kindergarten: A First Day of School Book (part of a 6-book series of Getting Ready books). The "big feeling" here is the first day of kindergarten, featuring a shy boy who lacks confidence. On the first day of school, the class makes a list of ways to show kindness in the morning that they revisit at the end of the day when the teacher asks children to add to the list. Some children noticed Leo holding doors for people, putting his crayons back, and helping a friend who fell. These kudos give Leo confidence that he can just be himself and show kindness to people to get along in school. Chou uses digital tools, acrylic paints, and cut paper in his illustrations, and this book is an excellent example of the bright colors and the playful way that he creates his characters. Everyone seems authentic and friendly, and the book is sure to calm children's nerves before their first day of school. (PreK Up)

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2023 - The Proudest Color. Dr. Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou. Illus. Monica Mikai. (2021). Familius Books
Zahra is a child with synesthesia, so she connects emotions with colors. Color is important in this book since it emphasizes the problems associated with racism and the color of people's skins. The authors and illustrator are pediatric psychologists and family therapists, and the text appears to exemplify concepts of racial socialization (adults in children's lives help them to understand race and racism and encourage them to take pride in their own cultures). While the writing is simple and uncomplicated, the illustrations flesh out the story and characters to bring the emotions, problems, and solutions to life and help children identify ways they can deal with racism they experience and see around them. (PreK Up)

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2022 - Never Show a T. Rex a Book. Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen. (2020). Kane Miller Books.
As the title suggests, Never Show a T. Rex a Book is a hilarious story about what happens when a dinosaur digs his teeth into a book. Wild things happen when he realizes what amazing places you can go to and people you can meet when you read. The "big feeling" here is joy at the discovery of a world of fun and knowledge. Like Laura Numeroff's books of what happens if you give a mouse a cookie or a moose a muffin, the story line builds on the effect books can have on readers. Children will be captivated and will want to have the story read to them again and again. This book is highly recommended for young children who are getting ready to read or who are reading and perhaps struggling a little. All will be motivated to pick up another book to see what happens. (PreK Up)

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2021 - Brown Baby Lullaby. Tameka Fryer Brown. Illus. AG Ford. Macmillan Children's Books. 
Written in a rhyme that is magical and musical, it is perfect for reading aloud. Some Spanish words and phrases are included, but they don't detract from the meaning of the text, which is focused on family love and bedtime rituals. The soft pastel colors lend to the atmosphere of peace, acceptance, and the feeling that all is well. It might be a good book to follow Llama, Llama, Red Pajamas, which can tend to trigger children who are especially sensitive to abandonment issues. (PreK Up)

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2020 - Thank You, Omu! Oge Mora. (2019). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Omu means "queen" in Igbo, and this grandmother should have royalty status with her skill in cooking. Her stew smells so good that the whole neighborhood is drawn to her house for a taste. Omu's generosity leads her to run out of food, causing a bit of a problem when her own family wants to eat until the neighbors show up with food of their own to share. Community togetherness, sharing, and gratitude are beautifully illustrated by Mora's illustrations using cut paper. The book was a Caldecott Honor Book, and it was a well-deserved award for this talented author/illustrator. (PreK Up)

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2019 - The Rabbit Listened. Cori Doerrfeld. (2018). Penguin Young Readers/Dial Books.
It can be difficult to know how to comfort someone when a tragedy happens. The "tragedy" in this book is a fallen tower Taylor was building. The medium is not divulged in the text, prompting children to look to the soft pastel illustrations for explanation. While Taylor is devastated, no one seems to know what to do to help him feel better. Talking about it, getting angry, nothing helps until the rabbit shows up and just listens. This is all Taylor needs to feel better because he's gotten his frustrations out in a way that is comforting and doesn't hurt anyone. The text is spare, and the illustrations do a beautiful job of filling in the details of the story. (PreK Up)

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2018 - After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). Dan Santat. (2018). Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press.
Based on a family situation in Santat's family, After the Fall tells the story of how it's possible to deal with fear after experiencing a difficult situation. Humpty Dumpty knew it was risky to sit on a wall to watch the birds, but when he fell, it changed his life. Fortunately, Santat allows the famous egg to be healed, but Humpty Dumpty is traumatized and can't bring himself to climb back up the ladder to the top of the wall. Fear can lead to depression and stagnation in a person's life, but if one can muster the courage to get up and move on, it will change their life. The book has won numerous awards and will appeal to a large age range, including adults who need a little help themselves. (PreK Up)

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2017 - Edward Gets Messy. Rita Meade. Illus. Olga Stern. (2016). Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Edward is an adorable little pig who is slightly OCD. He does everything he can to keep his world in order, breaking all the stereotypes of muddy porcines in sties. One day, however, the shelf with paints for artwork falls and spills colorful paint all over Edward. At first, he is appalled, but then he starts to let go and enjoy the mess. The illustrations follow the text with neat pictures of Edward before the upheaval in his perfect world, and, after the accident, show how much fun messes can be - and they can be cleaned up. (PreK Up) 

 Sue Corbin has taught all levels of education from K through graduate school. She is a fan of picture books that entertain and motivate children to love reading and learning. 

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