Research Guides: Early & Emergent Readers: Geisel Award

About the Geisel Award

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is one of the book awards given by ALSC, the Assocation for Library Services to Children, which is a division of the American Library Association.

First presented in 2006, the Geisel Award is given annually to author(s) and illustrator(s) of books for beginning readers that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading.

Geisel Award Winners & Honor Books

Fox the Tiger
by Corey R. Tabor
Call Number: YE TAB
Publication Date: 2018
Fox decides to become a tiger because they are fast and sneaky, and soon, his other animal friends are joining in.
2019 Geisel Award Winner
The Adventures of Otto: See Pip Flap
by David Milgrim
Call Number: YE MIL
Publication Date: 2018
With help from his friend Otto the robot, Pip the mouse tries to fly.
2019 Geisel Honor
Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories
by Sergio Ruzzier
Call Number: YE RUZ
Publication Date: 2018
Fox is calm and thoughtful. Chick is hyperactive and flighty. They don't always agree, but they are friends anyway.
2019 Geisel Honor
King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth
by Dori Hillestad Butler; Nancy Meyers (Illustrator)
Call Number: Y BUT
Publication Date: 2018
Kayla places her tooth in a Tooth Fairy pillow, but it disappears before the Tooth Fairy has a chance to visit - can her dog King help Kayla find the missing tooth?
2019 Geisel Honor
Tiger vs. Nightmare
by Emily Tetri
Call Number: Y 741 T
Publication Date: 2018
Unlikely best friends can be an unbeatable team, even against the scariest monsters.
2019 Geisel Honor
Charlie & Mouse
by Laurel Snyder; Emily Hughes (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE SNY
Publication Date: 2017
Charlie and Mouse, two young brothers, enjoy a day out together, attending an imaginary party and collecting rocks.
2018 Geisel Winner
I See a Cat
by Paul Meisel
Call Number: YE MEI
Publication Date: 2017
A dog enjoys barking at a cat, a bee, and especially squirrels in this easy-to-read book.
2018 Geisel Honor
King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats
by Dori Hillestad Butler; Nancy Meyers (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE BUT
Publication Date: 2017
King's human, Kayla, has baked some treats for a friend's new puppy, Thor, but some go missing and it is up to King to find the culprit.
2018 Geisel Honor
My Kite Is Stuck! and Other Stories
by Salina Yoon
Call Number: YE YOO
Publication Date: 2017
Loud and in-charge Big Duck, quiet and clever Little Duck, and friendly and gentle Porcupine are back in another charming trio of stories.
2018 Geisel Honor
Noodleheads See the Future
by Tedd Arnold (Illustrator); Martha Hamilton; Mitch Weiss
Publication Date: 2017
Brothers Mac and Mac Noodlehead exasperate Uncle Ziti, are fooled by their friend Meatball, and make a garden for their mother.
2018 Geisel Honor
Snail and Worm Again
by Tina Kugler
Call Number: YE KUG
Publication Date: 2017
The continuing antics of best friends Snail and Worm.
2018 Geisel Honor
We Are Growing!
by Laurie Keller
Call Number: YE KEL
Publication Date: 2016
As Walt and his grass friends grow, he's concerned that he's not the tallest, or the curliest, or the anything-est.
GEISEL WINNER 2017
Good Night Owl
by Greg Pizzoli
Call Number: YE PIZ
Publication Date: 2016
Owl takes drastic measures to have a good night's sleep.
GEISEL HONOR 2017
Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run!
by Mike Twohy
Call Number: YE TWO
Publication Date: 2016
When a bouncing ball wakes a sleeping mouse, it's just the beginning of an alphabet adventure.
GEISEL HONOR 2017
Go, Otto, Go!
by David Milgrim
Call Number: YE MIL
Publication Date: 2016
Otto the robot builds a spaceship to take him home.
GEISEL HONOR 2017
The Infamous Ratsos
by Kara LaReau; Matt Myers (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE LAR
Publication Date: 2016
When Louie and Ralphie Ratso try to prove they are tough, they end up doing good deeds by accident.
GEISEL HONOR 2017
Don't Throw It to Mo!
by David A. Adler; Sam Ricks (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE ADL
Publication Date: 2015
Mo's the youngest kid on his football team and a bit of a butterfingers. Can he ever help them win? Mo's coach has a plan up his sleeve to turn Mo's little size into a big win.
GEISEL WINNER 2016
A Pig, a Fox, and a Box
by Jonathan Fenske
Call Number: YE FEN
Publication Date: 2015
After finding a box just the right size to hide in, a little fox tries to play some tricks on his friend, Pig, but things do not work out exactly as he planned.
GEISEL HONOR 2016
Supertruck
by Stephen Savage
Call Number: YE SAV
Publication Date: 2015
The city needs a super(truck)hero to save it after a colossal snowstorm!
GEISEL HONOR 2016
Waiting
by Kevin Henkes
Call Number: YE HEN
Publication Date: 2015
Five toy friends wait for marvelous things to happen.
GEISEL HONOR 2016
You Are (Not) Small
by Anna Kang; Christopher Weyant (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE KAN
Publication Date: 2014
Two fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all!
GEISEL WINNER 2015
Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page
by Cynthia Rylant; Arthur Howard (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE RYL
Publication Date: 2014
Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry bring Tabby and Zeke to the library for a special story time.
GEISEL HONOR 2015
Waiting Is Not Easy!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2014
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he is going to have to wait for it. And Wait. And wait some more...
GEISEL HONOR 2015
The Watermelon Seed
by Greg Pizzoli
Call Number: YE PIZ
Publication Date: 2013
A little watermelon seed won't stop this gater from eating more watermelon.
GEISEL WINNER 2014
Ball
by Mary Sullivan
Call Number: YE SUL
Publication Date: 2013
While searching for someone to play ball with him, a dog dreams of fantastical adventures he could have with his ball.
GEISEL HONOR 2014
A Big Guy Took My Ball!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2013
Piggie is upset when the ball she found is taken, but Gerald finds a solution that pleases everyone.
GEISEL HONOR 2014
Penny and Her Marble
by Kevin Henkes
Call Number: YE HEN
Publication Date: 2013
Penny feels guilty after taking a beautiful blue marble that she sees in Mrs. Goodwin's grass but gets pleasant surprise when she goes to return it the next day.
GEISEL HONOR 2014
Up, Tall and High!
by Ethan Long
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2012
In three laugh-out-loud situations, an irresistible cast of colorful birds illustrate the concepts of "up," "tall" and "high."
GEISEL WINNER 2013
Let's Go for a Drive!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2012
Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road! Will everything go as planned?
GEISEL HONOR 2013
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
by Eric Litwin; James Dean (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE LIT
Publication Date: 2012
Pete loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them. And even as the buttons pop off, he still finds a reason to sing.
GEISEL HONOR 2013
Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover
by Cece Bell
Call Number: YE BEL
Publication Date: 2012
Rabbit is excited about the sleepover he has carefully planned for his friend, Robot, but Robot has some different ideas about how things should go.
GEISEL HONOR 2013
Tales for Very Picky Eaters
by Josh Schneider
Call Number: YE SCH
A father tells outlandish stories while trying to get his young son, who is a very picky eater, to eat foods he thinks he will not like.
GEISEL WINNER 2012
I Broke My Trunk!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2011
Gerald tells his best friend, Piggie, the long, crazy story about how he broke his trunk.
GEISEL HONOR 2012
I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen
Call Number: YE KLA
Publication Date: 2011
Bear almost gives up his search for his missing hat until he remembers something important.
GEISEL HONOR 2012
See Me Run
by Paul Meisel
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2011
An energetic pack of dogs has a glorious adventure digging and running in the park. A carefree day takes a turn when they discover a mother lode of bones-dinosaur bones!
GEISEL HONOR 2012
Bink and Gollie
by Kate DiCamillo; Alison McGhee; Tony Fucile (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE DIC
Publication Date: 2010
Two roller-skating best friends -- one tiny, one tall -- share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.
GEISEL WINNER 2011
Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same!
by Grace Lin
Call Number: YE LIN
Publication Date: 2010
Ling and Ting are twins. Remember, people can be very different, even if they look exactly the same.
GEISEL HONOR 2011
We Are in a Book!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2010
Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?
GEISEL HONOR 2011
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!
by Geoffrey Hayes
Call Number: Y 741 H
Publication Date: 2009
Two mice meet their new neighbor and discover that she is not as scary as they feared.
GEISEL WINNER 2010
I Spy Fly Guy!
by Tedd Arnold
Call Number: YE ARN
Publication Date: 2009
When Fly Guy and Buzz play hide-and-seek, Fly Guy hides in his favorite place--the garbage can. But as Buzz finishes counting, the garbageman drives away with the garbage and Fly Guy, too! A very worried Buzz follows the truck to the dump, where he sees zillions of flies. Where is Fly Guy?!
GEISEL HONOR 2010
Little Mouse Gets Ready
by Jeff Smith
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2009
There's lots to do before Little Mouse is ready to go visit the barn. Will he master all the intricacies of getting dressed, from snaps and buttons to velcro and tail holes?
GEISEL HONOR 2010
Mouse and Mole, Fine Feathered Friends
by Wong Herbert Yee
Call Number: YE YEE
Publication Date: 2009
It is a blustery spring day, and Mouse and Mole find a unique way to bird watch!
GEISEL HONOR 2010
Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day
by Kate McMullan; R. W. Alley (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2009
Wagner has been fooled by just about everyone this April Fools' Day! Even his best friend Pearl.
GEISEL HONOR 2010
Are You Ready to Play Outside?
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2008
Piggie can't wait to go play in the sunshine. But will a rainy day ruin all the fun?
GEISEL WINNER 2009
Chicken Said, "Cluck!"
by Judyann Ackerman Grant; Sue Truesdell (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE GRA
Publication Date: 2008
Earl and Pearl do not want Chicken's help in the garden, until a swarm of grasshoppers arrives and her true talent shines.
GEISEL HONOR 2009
One Boy
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Call Number: YE SEE
Publication Date: 2008
A boy creates ten paintings in this counting book that also explores the relationship of words within words.
GEISEL HONOR 2009
Stinky
by Eleanor Davis
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2008
Stinky is a monster who is terrified of people! When a new kid enters his swamp, he comes up with all sorts of crazy plans to scare him away.
GEISEL HONOR 2009
Wolfsnail
by Sarah C. Campbell; Richard P. Campbell
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2008
This photographic story of a day in the life of a wolfsnail offers a unique and dramatic introduction to the food chain. Young readers will be fascinated by this little-known predator and the impact it has had on habitats where it does not belong.
GEISEL HONOR 2009
There Is a Bird on Your Head!
by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2007
Gerald discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head -- two birds on your head! Can Piggie help her best friend?
GEISEL WINNER 2008
First the Egg
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Call Number: Y 571 S
Publication Date: 2007
WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg?
GEISEL HONOR 2008
Hello, Bumblebee Bat
by Darrin Lunde; Patricia J. Wynne (Illustrator); Catherine Stock (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2007
A series of questions and answers introduce children to the life and habitat of the exotic and endangered Bumblebee Bat.
GEISEL HONOR 2008
Jazz Baby
by Lisa Wheeler; R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WHE
Publication Date: 2007
With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin' baby gets his whole family singing and dancing.
GEISEL HONOR 2008
Vulture View
by April Pulley Sayre; Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)
Call Number: Y 598 S
Publication Date: 2007
Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don’t hunt—they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature’s clean-up crew.
GEISEL HONOR 2008
Zelda and Ivy, The Runaways
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Call Number: YE KVA
Publication Date: 2006
Three short stories of two fox sisters capture the genuine ups and downs of sisterhood.
GEISEL WINNER 2007
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
by Kate DiCamillo; Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2006
Mercy loves nothing more than a ride in the convertible, with the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout.
GEISEL HONOR 2007
Move Over, Rover!
by Karen Beaumont; Jane Dyer (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2006
It's raining cats and dogs! Good thing Rover is snuggled safe and dry inside his doghouse--OR IS HE?
GEISEL HONOR 2007
Not a Box
by Antoinette Portis
Call Number: YE POR
Publication Date: 2006
To an imaginative bunny, a box is not always just a box.
GEISEL HONOR 2007
Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas
by Cynthia Rylant; Suçie Stevenson (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE RYL
Publication Date: 2005
When Henry and his dog Mudge go with Henry's parents to visit Great-Grandpa Bill at the senior citizen home, a host of grandpas lead them all on a wonderful adventure.
GEISEL WINNER 2006
Hi! Fly Guy
by Tedd Arnold
Call Number: YE ARN
Publication Date: 2005
When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.
GEISEL HONOR 2006
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
by Suzanne Bloom
Call Number: YE BLO
Publication Date: 2005
Bear wants to read and write and think. Goose wants to talk and talk and talk. Can Bear and Goose be friends?
GEISEL HONOR 2006
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
by Erica Silverman; Betsy Lewin (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE SIL
Publication Date: 2005
Hold on to your hats! Two new pals have arrived on the scene: Cowgirl Kate and her stubborn, but devoted cowhorse, Cocoa.
GEISEL HONOR 2006
Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day
by Jean Van Leeuwen; Ann Schweninger (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2005
It is the hottest day of the summer, and poor Amanda pig is feeling it but she is determined to beat the heat.
GEISEL HONOR 2006