VSBA 2023-2024 -- Primary Nominees

A farmhouse provides the setting for a dozen children to live and grow, and when they leave, another family arrives to fill the house with love again.

"Honeybee rescuer Mr. Nelson relocates a colony of 35,000 bees from Mr. Connery's barn back to a hive"--

After achieving his dream of becoming a knight, a small owl protects the castle from a hungry dragon.

When Nigel looks up at the moon, his future is bright. He imagines himself as...an astronaut, a dancer, a superhero, too! Among the stars, he twirls. With pride, his chest swells. And his eyes, they glow. Nigel is the most brilliant body in the sky. But it's Career Week at school, and Nigel can't find the courage to share his dreams. It's easy to whisper them to the moon, but not to his classmates--especially when he already feels out of place.

"A fun, informative picture book about the gestures and sounds dogs make to communicate with other dogs and with us humans"--

Before he becomes very sick, Grandpa enjoys joining his granddaughter in her favorite activity, searching for things to add to her secret treasure box, including a broken robin's egg, a rusty spring, and a snakeskin that makes Grandpa squirm and make funny faces.

"Around the world, roads have cut off animals from the resources they need to survive. Fortunately, this problem has also inspired some creative solutions! Take a tour of wildlife crossings from badger bridges to penguin pipelines"--

Rat, Squirrel, Rabbit, and Mouse want to cross the bayou, but next to the log they are considering as a bridge is a sneaky tail, which may be attached to someone dangerous--each of the four approach the problem with a different strategy, with varying results.

"Even though the Earth seems big and unchangeable, humans have altered its climate, creating consequences for all life. By working together, humans can save the planet, and ourselves" --

"Though they may speak different languages, kids from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young readers. When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can't speak English, neither can anyone else. That's when she has a brilliant idea to host a tea party and bring them all together. Luli removes her teapot, thermos, and teacups from her...