The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, sponsored and selected by the Youth Services Community of Interest (YSCI), is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri's public libraries and is designed to encourage reading aloud to children from birth through kindergarten age. 

Designed to encourage reading aloud to children from birth through kindergarten age, the award was first given in 1996. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to read aloud to children from a list of ten titles selected annually by a group of Missouri children's librarians. Colorful posters, bookmarks, activity sheets, and a manual of great ideas add to the fun. 

See the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Procedures and the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Committee Handbook in Appendix G of the MLA Handbook for details. 

Awards Chair: Katie Long (buildingblocks@molib.org)

Members of the Building Block Award subgroup of YSCI are listed on the YSCI page. 

2024 NOMINEES - Click on the title for activity sheets.

• I Was Born a Baby by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Brandon James Scott
• Mister Kitty is Lost! by Greg Pizzoli
• Problem Solved! by Jan Thomas
• A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstromm, illustrated by Brandon James Scott
• Woo Hoo! You're Doing Great! by Sandra Boynton
• NO is All I Know! by Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
• A Good Place by Lucy Cousins
• My Dad is a Tree by Jon Agee
• I am Stuck by Julia Mills
• The Best Bad Day Ever by Marianna Coppo

Children up to age 6 can vote for the winner.  Submit your votes for the 2024 award here.

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS AND NOMINEES

Building Block Award Winners, 1996-2023

Building Block Award Nominees, 1996-2023