by Danielle Ziegler

Every year here in Iowa, after other big children’s book awards are finished, it is time for the Bridge to Reading Book Awards. This award, sponsored by the Youth Services Subdivision of the Iowa Library Association, is definitely one of my favorites. The Bridge to Reading finalists are all chosen by Iowa librarians from amazing picture books that are perfect for reading aloud. And then, children and families get the chance to vote on what books they loved best! 

The Bridge to Reading Award has a lot more purpose than just honoring a great picture book, however.  We want to encourage families and children to read aloud, while also introducing them to new authors and illustrators. We also want to encourage families to learn how children can get ready to read or even improve their reading by listening to picture books. Indeed, all ages can improve their reading skills, even if kids are reading on their own already!

All of the books that Iowa librarians worked together to choose are amazing reads. Two of my favorites from this list even add a new type of reading for kids in that they included recipes at the end of the book. “Bilal Cooks Daal” by Aisha Saeed tells the story of a young boy who shares delicious daal with his friends. Another book, “Fry Bread” by Kevin Noble Maillard, shares the importance of fry bread in many Native Americans’ lives. This book also has some amazing information at the end for grownups to read and share with their children.     

There are many books that show the importance of family and love this year as well. “Salsa Lullaby” by Jen Arena shares the love of two parents and their baby as they dance the baby to sleep. Another wonderful book that has so much love in the text and illustrations that you can feel it is “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry. In this book, a father struggles at first with figuring out how to do his daughter’s hair, which is a common occurrence in my own home! Another book shows how the love of family can help deal with all the common disappointments found in life. “Saturday” by Oge Mora focuses on a mother and daughter on a day where absolutely nothing goes as they expected.

Speaking of the unexpected, that’s another theme that can be found in two more of our Bridge to Reading Books. “Swim Swim Sink” by Jenn Harney has a little duckling that surprises the narrator when she sinks instead of swims, causing her to have to figure out a new solution. Richard T. Morris’ “Bear Came Along” also showcases some surprises while Bear and all sorts of woodland creatures start an unexpected journey.

The last three books have something very exciting in common. Dinosaurs. That’s right, dinosaurs. The main characters in each of the last three books are dinosaurs, although one is actually a costumed young boy. “Library Books Are Not For Eating” by Todd Tarpley tells the tale of Ms. Bronto, who just can’t help herself from eating library books! For those meat eaters out there, Penelope the T-Rex is back in “We Will Rock Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins, where young Penelope must move past her fright and perform in the school talent show. Another T-Rex can be found in the pages of “The Yawns Are Coming” by Christopher Eliopoulos, where a young boy wearing dinosaur pajamas and his friend try desperately to stay awake.

You may be wondering how you can participate in Bridge to Reading voting. First of all, you’ll want to read at least five of the books, which are available to check out from the Ames Public Library.  Another way that you could listen to the stories is by going to www.amespubliclibrary.org/bridgetoreading and watching Ames librarians read them aloud. That same webpage also has a place to vote! Each child is welcome to vote one time.

Share these amazing books with others and support our homegrown children’s book award! The winning book will be announced in May.