MITTEN AWARD

The Mitten Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner. Mitten Award Guidelines (pdf)

2026 Mitten Award

First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner.

The winner of the 2024 Mitten Award is Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat, and published by Dial Books.

2026 Mitten Award Top Ten Titles

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat
Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Don't Eat Eustace by Lian Cho
Everyday Bean by Stephanie Graegin
Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien
Let's Be Bees by Shawn Harris
If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer and Emily Hughes
Frank's Red Hat by Sean E Avery
Broken by X. Fang

Mitten Award Seals

Download the Mitten Award seals to use at your library! Winner, Honor Book and Top Ten Title award seals are available for download here: (To download, right-click on the seal and save it as an image.)