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Monarch Award Nominees 2026 |
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Mr. S
by Monica Arnaldo
When a kindergarten class arrives for the first day at school, they are greeted only by the words “Mr. S” on the chalkboard and a delicious-looking sandwich, resulting in merry mayhem as the kids wonder if the sandwich is their teacher.
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Negative Cat
by Sophie Blackall
Max isn't a typical cat, but his loving owner still sees the best in him.
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Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World
by Jacqueline Davies
Taylor, a hedgehog, and his friend Sydney, a skunk, set out from their comfortable burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed on an expedition to see more of the "Whole Wide World."
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Knight Owl
by Christopher Denise
After achieving his dream of becoming a knight, a small owl protects the castle from a hungry dragon.
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Beneath
by Cori Doerrfeld
Agreeing to take a hike with Grandpa, grumpy Finn explores the elements of nature and discovers that thing and people are often more then they appear on the surface.
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Friends Do Not Eat Friends
by Jill Esbaum
In this funny graphic novel about friendship, two dinosaurs who are polar opposites become unlikely friends.
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We Are Definitely Human
by X. Fang
When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car." No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business," "play sportsball" and "wear hat." As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.
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The Red Jacket
by Bob Holt
Bob the seagull loves his red jacket. The red jacket makes him feel swanky cool. But will Bob lose his cool when he loses the red jacket?
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Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates
by Cheryl B. Klein
In this funny story about introverts vs extroverts, Henry the hamster, who hasn't had any peace and quiet since Marvin has become his roommate, must find a way to compromise in order to live in harmony.
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The Flower Garden
by Renée Kurilla
After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don't go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up to blooms as tall as buildings! All is explained when Anna and Tess meet May, a little garden gnome whose magic is responsible for the transformation. The girls are May's size now, and they follow her through the flower garden and into May's underground gnome home--discovering new things about their world and themselves along the way.
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Butt or Face?: Can You Tell Which End You're Looking at?
by Kari Lavelle
Move over, Jeopardy, Family Feud, and The Price Is Right - this book will be your new favorite laugh-until-your-stomach-hurts family game! Kids must guess: are they seeing seeing...um...err... the bottom or the top? On every reveal page, kids can enjoy the animals' complete photos and fascinating scientific facts.
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Time to Make Art
by Jeff Mack
When a little girl asks meaningful questions about creating art, her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history, in this inspiring picture book that encourages young readers to see the artist in themselves.
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Bathe the Cat
by Alice B. McGinty
To avoid getting a bath, the family cat keeps scrambling the list of chores with hilarious results.
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Who's Afraid of the Light?
by Anna McGregor
In this introduction to the ocean's 'midnight zone', we meet Fergus as he hides from a parade of sea-creatures that use bioluminescence to find their way in the dark.
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Just Snow Already!
by Howard McWilliam
A little boy is so laser-focused on the sky while waiting for the snow to arrive that he is oblivious to the comical chaos unfolding outside his door, including a monster truck, escaped monkeys, and carousing clowns.
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The World's Best Class Plant
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Deciding to name the class plant Jerry, Arlo and his classmates learn to take of care Jerry and it soon becomes apparent that something amazing has taken root in their classroom.
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Homegrown
by DeAnn Wiley
A young Black girl, with the help of her Mama and Granny, learns that home isn't just a place but rather a reflection of people who support and love one another.
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Elmhurst Public Library 125 S Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 (630) 279-8696
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