The Big Bang is here! Stop your spaceships, drop your rockets, and get ready to click the cosmic “Add to Cart,” because these titles are hot off the press and ready to make a difference in the hands of someone in your life.
The Big Bang Notable Book List initiative highlights remarkable books created for young audiences and celebrates the creators whose work helps shape the future of children’s literature. Titles recognized reflect the high standards and thoughtful evaluation that anchor the program, from the strength of the writing and thematic resonance to the quality of the art and design.
The 2025 inaugural list marks the first of many to come, released each November as a trusted guide for families, educators, librarians, and booksellers, exactly as promised to our dedicated audience. This curated gift list features standout young adult, middle grade, chapter, picture, board, and activity books recognized for their excellence in craft, their child-centered purpose, and their overall impact on young readers.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the creators, publishers, and teams who submitted work this year. The number and quality of entries were exceptionally strong, making the selection process highly competitive. We are honored to have reviewed such a meaningful range of stories that reflect the richness and innovation present in today’s children’s book community.
The Big Bang Notable Book List is presented by The Storytellers Foundation LLC, home of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast. We are proud to recognize the outstanding titles and talented creatives selected.
With much appreciation, we present our winners!
Co-Directors & Hosts,
Jackie Garcia-Morales and Theresa Maria Villarreal
Join our family on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and here via our email newsletter to stay tuned as we finish off Season 2025, launch the Storytellers Summit in January, and kick-off 2026 with a mix of podcast episodes and virtual literary agent pitch events.
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Science Spark Awards
STEM-based stories that are out of this world.
Browse these titles books that inspire curiosity, innovation, and a love of science.
Platinum Medal | Bog Myrtle
A suspenseful comic, best for ages 6-11, brought to us by Annick Press.
Author-Illustrator: Sid Sharp
ISBN: 9781773218922
Gold Medal | Wild Moon
A gorgeous picture book, best for ages 3-7, brought to us by Gibbs Smith Kids.
Author: Andie Powers
Illustrator: Lucy Rose
ISBN: 9781423667445
Silver Medal | Composting for Community
A eco-intelligent picture book, best for ages 3-8, brought to us by Gloo Books.
Author: Michael Martinez
Illustrator: Hannah Abbo
ISBN: 9781737240488
Bronze Medal | The Mess That We Made
A eco-warrior’s picture book, best for ages 5-8, brought to us by Flashlight Press.
Author: Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Julia Blattman
ISBN: 9781962269001
Real World Resilience Awards
Stories representing one brave and compassion leap for mankind.
Browse these titles that ground us in the diversity of the human experience.
Platinum Medal | Toto
An identity-consolidating picture book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Neal Porter Books.
Author-Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
ISBN: 978-0823453894
Gold Medal | Not Far From Here
A timely picture book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Candlewick Press.
Author: Nydia Armendia-Sanchez
Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
ISBN: 9781536227062
Silver Medal | Calling All Future Voters!
A patriotic picture book, best for ages 3-12, brought to us by Gloo Books.
Author: Laura Atkina, Rev. Edward A. Hailes Jr., Jennifer Lai-Peterson
Illustrator: Srimalie Bassani
ISBN: 9781962351010
Bronze Medal| Victoria Defeats the Virus
A health-conscious picture book, best for ages 5-9, brought to us by StoryVerse Land.
Author: Garima Gupta
Illustrator: Rohit Kar
This book is customizable!
Laugh Out Loud Awards
Stories guaranteed to launch cackles into orbit.
Browse these tiles recognizing the power of humor and joy in storytelling.
Gold Medal | It Started with a P
A snort-worthy picture book, best for ages 4-9, brought to us by Flamingo Books.
Author: Brittany Pomales
Illustrator: Andrew Joyner
ISBN: 9780593690833
Silver Medal | Frankenstein’s Matzah
A parody picture book, best for ages 5-9, brought to us by Intergalactic Afikoman.
Author: K. Marcus
Illustrator: Sam Loman
ISBN: 9781951365202
Bronze Medal | Hey, That’s My Monster!
A spooky-silly picture book, best for ages 5-9, brought to us by Flashlight Press.
Author: Amanda Noll
Illustrator: Howard McWillam
ISBN: 9781947277380
Cosmic Color Awards
Art so radiant it belongs among the stars.
Browse these tiles with exceptional illustration and visual storytelling.
Platinum Medal | Island Storm
A hurricane of a picture book, best for ages 5-8, brought to us by Neal Porter Books.
Author: Brian Floca
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
ISBN: 9780823456475
Gold Medal | No More Señora Mimi
A validating picture book, best for ages 5-8, brought to us by Candlewick Press.
Author: Meg Medina
Illustrator: Brittany Cicchese
ISBN: 9781536219449
Silver Medal | Awe!
A vivid picture book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Scholastic Press.
Author: Chana Stiefel
Illustrator: Susan Gal
ISBN: 9781546150350
Bronze Medal | Mafalda
A comic-classic picture book, best for ages 7-11, brought to us by Elsewhere Editions.
Author-Illustrator: Quino
Translator: Frank Wynne
ISBN: 9781962770040
Little Universe Awards
Big wonder for the smallest stars in the galaxy.
Browse these tiles that that ignite imagination in our youngest readers.
Gold Medal | I Don’t Wanna Hibernate!
A kinetic picture book, best for ages 3-5, brought to us by Henry Holt & Company.
Author: Anna Ouchchy
Illustrator: Raahat Kaduji
ISBN: 9781250903228
Silver Medal | Hello Little Ones
A playful picture book, best for ages 0-3, brought to us by Annick Press.
Author-Illustrator: Amandine Piu
ISBN: 9781773219820
Bronze Medal | Your Farm
A colorful picture book, best for ages 2-5, brought to us by Candlewick Press.
Author-Illustrator: Jon Klassen
ISBN: 9781536230826
Galaxy of Imagination Awards
Blazing creativity that soars like comets.
Browse these titles featuring bold, original stories and inventive presentation.
Gold Medal | The Dictionary Story
An imaginative picture book, best for ages 3-7, brought to us by Candlewick Press.
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Sam Winston
ISBN: 9781536235500
Silver Medal | The Mysterious Affair at Styles
A mystery picture book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Gibbs Smith Kids.
Author: Marci Kay Monson
Illustrator: Greg Paprocki
ISBN: 9781423667568
Bronze Medal | Little Rebels
A powerful picture book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Neal Porter Books.
Author-Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
ISBN: 9780823447541
Visionary Awards
Honoring independent creators who dared to launch their own worlds.
Browse these titles that stand out amongst author-publishers.
Young Adult Category | The Lifesaver
A novel rich in the adolescent zeitgeist, best for ages 14 and older, brought to us by Hidden Shield Publishing.
Author: C.N. Steinhour
ISBN: 9781737106838
Middle Grade Category | The Water’s Edge
A middle grade novel full of emotional adventure, best for ages 9-13, brought to us by Solander Press.
Author: Thomasina Tissue
ISBN: 9781959548607
Chapter Book Category | Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup!
A bridge book full of horses and victory best for ages 6-10, brought to us by Storm Publications.
Author: Leisa Fail
Illustrator: Amy Rennie
ISBN: 9780648625926
Picture Book Category | Brave Little Leaf
A picture book full of relatable buzz, best for ages 5-8, brought to us by Wonder & Whimsy, LLC.
Author: Natalie Mazer
Illustrator: Sinem Kilic Rabito
ISBN: 9798998612602
Activity Book Category | The Hobgoblin’s Nightlight
An engaging hybrid novel x coloring book, best for ages 4-8, brought to us by Bay Horse Press.
Author: April Henley
Illustrator: Brian Brinlee
ISBN: 9798989561438
Co-Host Bookshelf Picks
What’s staying on our bookshelves for the end of 2025…
Browse these titles that Jackie and Theresa keep turning back to.
In honor of 3I/Atlas! | Astronautical!
A middle grade sci-fi adventure for ages 8-12 in a stupendous graphic novel format, brought to us by Annick Press.
Author-Illustrator: Brooklin Stormie
ISBN: 9781773219417
In honor of Autumn whimsy! | Forest Magic for Kids
A fantastical activity and outdoor exploration guide for ages 7-11, brought to us by Gibbs Smith Kids.
Author: Susie Spikol
Illustrator: Renia Metallinou
ISBN: 9781423665533
In honor of the baby witches! | Poems from a Witch’s Pocket
A delightful poetry anthology for ages 10 and older, brought to us by The Emma Press.
Author: Laura Theis
Illustrator: Kate Lucy Foster
ISBN: 9781915628428
In honor of 2025’s culmination! | The Year of the Snake
An inspiring picture book rooted in cultural metaphor for ages 3-8, brought to us by Immedium.
Author: Oliver Chin
Illustrator: Jennifer Wood
ISBN: 9781597020381
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