Two Penguin Random House Titles Win the Tenth Annual Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award

Penguin Young Readers, Every Child a Reader, and the Children’s Book Council are pleased to announce that there are two winners for the 10th annual Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award, as judged by an independent selection committee.

Announced on Every Child a Reader’s website, the winners for 2026 are BUFFALO FLUFFALO AND PUFFALO by Bess Kalb and illustrated by Erin Kraan (Random House Studio; Hardcover Picture Book; 9780593810309; ages 4-8), a sweet and funny book about Fluffalo whose quiet prairie life is turned upside down by the arrival of a new sibling, and DON’T TRUST FISH by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat (Dial; Hardcover Picture Book; 9780593616673; ages 3-7), a nature-guide-gone-wrong about the seemingly innocent animals that live in the ocean.

This award is given annually to a picture book that is both a superb read-aloud and sparks compassion, empathy, and connection. The award commemorates the life and work of author/illustrator and Llama Llama creator Anna Dewdney and celebrates her commitment to reading with young children and putting books into as many little hands as possible.

Publishers submitted books published in the last four years for consideration and seven finalists were selected by votes cast by librarians, teachers, booksellers, and parents across the country in voting during April and May. An independent selection committee chaired by Berol Dewdney, a public-school teacher and Anna’s daughter, then read the seven finalists and ranked their top 3 picks; the point totals resulted in the two winning titles.

As they have every year for ten years, Penguin Young Readers will purchase and donate copies of the winning books to schools, libraries, or literacy organizations of the authors’ and illustrators’ choice. One hundred and twenty-five copies each of BUFFALO FLUFFALO AND PUFFALO and DON’T TRUST FISH will be donated.

The CBC will host a virtual conversation with Bess, Erin, Neil, and Dan later this fall.

The 2026 Honor Books Are:

ANYTHING by Rebecca Stead; illustrated by Gracey Zhang (Chronicle Books)

CATCHING KINDNESS written & illustrated by Kara M. Mitchell (American Psychological Association / Magination Press)

EVERY MONDAY MABEL written & illustrated by Jashar Awan (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

GIRAFFE IS TOO TALL FOR THIS BOOK written & illustrated by DK Ryland (Page Street Kids)

GIRLS ON THE RISE by Amanda Gorman; illustrated by Loveis Wise (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Past winners can be viewed here.

2026 Selection Committee

Cathy Berner – Young Adult Specialist and Events Coordinator at Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

Berol Dewdney – Public School Teacher, Baltimore, MD

Leigh Fox – Assistant Manager, Central Youth Wing, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Sarah Hooley – Public School Librarian, Elkhart, IN

Michell Wright Jumpp – Public School Media Specialist, Newburgh, NY

Brein Lopez – General Manager, Children’s Book World, Los Angeles, CA

About Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney was the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Llama Llama Red Pajama, originally published in May 2005. She was also the author/illustrator of Little Excavator, Nobunny’s Perfect, Roly Poly Pangolin, and Grumpy Gloria. Anna worked as a rural mail carrier and taught at a boys’ boarding school for many years before becoming a full-time author and illustrator. Anna was a committed advocate of literacy, speaking regularly on this topic and publishing articles in the Wall Street Journal and other national outlets.

About Every Child a Reader

Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 106 years in 2025; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.