This slideshow displays each nominee for the Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award in the state of Kansas.

1. 2016 – 2017 Bill Martin Jr.
Picture Book
Award Nominees

2. As An Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas
This inventive picture book relays the
events of two hundred years from
the unique perspective of a
magnificent oak tree, showing how
much the world can transform from
a single vantage point. From 1775 to
the present day, this fascinating
framing device lets readers watch as
human and animal populations shift
and the landscape transitions from
country to city. Methods of
transportation, communication and
energy use progress rapidly while
other things hardly seem to change
at all.

3. Beneath the Sun by Melissa Stewart
When the sun is shining brightly, people
put on sunscreen or scurry inside to
cool off. But how do wild animals react
to the sizzling heat? Journey from your
neighborhood to a field where an
earthworm loops its long body into a
ball underground, to a desert where a
jackrabbit loses heat through its
oversized ears, to a wetland where a
siren salamander burrows into the mud
to stay cool, and to a seashore where a
sea star hides in the shade of a seaweed
mat. In simple yet informative language,
Beneath the Sun shows young readers
how the animals who live there survive
the hottest time of the year

4. Flight School by Lita Judge
A persevering penguin is determined
to fly in this adorably inspiring
picture book from the creator of Red
Hat and Red Sled. Although little
Penguin has the soul of an eagle, his
body wasn’t built to soar. But
Penguin has an irrepressible spirit,
and he adamantly follows his dreams
to flip, flap, fly! Even if he needs a
little help with the technical parts,
this penguin is ready to live on the
wind.

5. Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears by Corey Rosen
Schwartz and Beth Coulton
Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby
Bear know how to rock! But they
need a new singer, so they
audition everyone—the Three
Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and
more. To their dismay, no one
seems just right. Could the perfect
lead singer be the mysterious girl
sleeping on Baby Bear’s keyboard?
This mash up of Goldilocks and
the Three Bears and The Voice is a
surefire storytime hit.

6. I Am Yoga by Susan Velde
An eagle soaring among the clouds or a star
twinkling in the night sky . . . a camel in the
desert or a boat sailing across the sea—
yoga has the power of transformation. Not
only does it strengthen bodies and calm
minds, but with a little imagination, it can
show us that anything is possible.
New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter
H. Reynolds and author and certified yoga
instructor Susan Verde team up again in this
book about creativity and the power of self-
expression. I Am Yoga encourages children
to explore the world of yoga and make
room in their hearts for the world beyond
it.

7. Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds
Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video
games, and reading about video
games, which immediately
disqualifies him for membership in
the cool crowd. One thing is clear:
being a nerdy birdy is a lonely
lifestyle. When he's at his lowest
point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock
just like him. He has friends and
discovers that there are far more
nerdy birdies than cool birdies in
the sky.

8. A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston
From the award-winning creators of An
Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, A
Butterfly Is Patient, and A Rock Is Lively
comes this gorgeous and informative
look at the fascinating world of nests.
From tiny bee hummingbird nests to
orangutan nests high in the rainforest
canopy, an incredible variety of nests
are showcased here in all their splendor.
Poetic in voice and elegant in design,
this carefully researched book
introduces children to a captivating
array of nest facts and will spark the
imaginations of children whether in a
classroom reading circle or on a parent's
lap.

9. The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein
One night, a little boy is awoken by
his cat, Sylvie. Everyone in the house
is sleeping, but outside, the Night
World is wide awake! Beginning with
a beautiful black-and-white palette,
the shadows of the Night World
come to life: lilies, sunflowers,
rabbits, deer, and owls are all
revealed as Sylvie and the boy
explore the world outside his door.
But the animals all know something
new is coming--what could it be?
Finally, in an explosion of color, the
dawn arrives.

10. Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
Thankful, by bestselling and award-
winning children’s author Eileen
Spinelli, combines charming rhymes
and whimsical illustrations to convey
the importance of being thankful for
everyday blessings. Like the gardener
thankful for every green sprout, and
the fireman, for putting the fire out,
readers are encouraged to be
thankful for the many blessings they
find in their lives. Spinelli exhibits her
endearing storytelling with this
engaging poem, reminding children
how blessed and special they are.

11. What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
What do you do with a problem?
Especially one that follows you
around and doesn't seem to be going
away? Do you worry about it? Ignore
it? Do you run and hide from it?
This is the story of a persistent
problem and the child who isn't so
sure what to make of it. The longer
the problem is avoided, the bigger it
seems to get. But when the child
finally musters up the courage to
face it, the problem turns out to be
something quite different than it
appeared.