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.
Download the Mitten Award seals to use at your library! Winner, Honor Book and Top Ten Title award seals are available for download here: MLA Mitten Award Seals 2020.pdf
We also have graphics and handouts and we welcome and encourage you to use these in your library or on your library's website!
The 2021 Mitten Award Work Group scrutinized more than 180 picture books to select this year's Top Ten Titles and winner. Collectively, work group members devoted more than 265 hours to reading and evaluating picture books to select the titles published in 2020 that best meet the criteria as books of especially commendable quality that exhibit venturesome creativity and reflect and encourage children’s interest in a unique or innovative fashion.
2021 Mitten Award Work Group
Chair: Kimberlee Gardner, Rochester Hills Public Library
Chair: Angela Warsinske, Rochester Hills Public Library
Adrienne Baker, Herrick District Library
Ashley Lehman, Orion Township Public Library
Kirsten Malzahn, Novi Public Library
Ashlee McClaughry, Bloomfield Township Library
Kathleen Merucci, Salem-South Lyon District Library
Everett Pine, Ferndale Area District Library
Lisa Rodkey, Kent District Library
Keegan Sulecki, Troy Public Library
2021 Mitten Award Winner
The winner of the 2021 Mitten Award is If You Come to Earth, written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall and published by Chronicle Books.
In If you Come to Earth a child writes a letter to an imagined alien describing the ups and downs of planet earth and humankind.The Mitten Work Group found this title award-worthy because it is an extremely interesting book that appeals to a wide age group with a unique plotline and detailed pictures that truthfully examine the nature of the world. This year's work group persevered through the challenges of the pandemic and wholeheartedly chose a winner to match the group's sentiment.
The winners and honor books of the 2021 Youth Literary Awards were announced on March 12, 2021, at Spring Institute for Youth Services 2021 during the Literary Awards Lunch Break.
Watch the video announcement:
2021 Mitten Award Top Ten Titles
The Barnabus Project by Eric Fan, Terry Fan, Devin Fan
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Crossings by Katy Duffield
Hike by Pete Oswald
If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
Lift by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illustrated by Anna Bron
Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal
The Barnabus Project by Eric Fan, Terry Fan, Devin Fan
