Building Block Award

Building Block Award

This annual award honors the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri.

For more information on the Missouri Building Block Award, please see the MLA Building Block Award page.

Building Block Award Nominees

  • Cover image for The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

    The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

    Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

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  • Cover image for The Farm That Mac Built

    The Farm That Mac Built

    The scarecrow from Old MacDonald's farm narrates an Animal Theater production of "The House that Jack Built," but animals that do not belong on a farm keep upstaging him.

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  • Cover image for The Book Hog

    The Book Hog

    The Book Hog loves books-the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell-and he'll grab whatever he can find. There's only one problem: he can't read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are. Geisel Medalist Greg Pizzoli presents a new character who is sure to steal your heart in this picturebook full of humorous charm and vivid illustrations.

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  • Cover image for Bear Came Along

    Bear Came Along

    A cheerful and action-packed adventure about the importance of friendship and community from a successful author and illustrator duo! Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn't know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren't any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck. These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn't know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along.

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  • Cover image for Crocodiles Need Kisses Too

    Crocodiles Need Kisses Too

    Illustrations and rhyming text inform the reader that, despite quills, claws, fangs, and more, animals--like children--all need love and affection.

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  • Cover image for Bad Dog

    Bad Dog

    "Look what I got for my birthday! A pet dog!" says a little girl holding a... cat? Rocky doesn't listen or obey like all the other dogs. (Because Rocky is a cat.) And Rocky hates her leash and doesn't seem to like other dogs. (Probably because Rocky is a cat.) And rather than play fetch, Rocky prefers to... lick between her toes? Ew. Rocky is a bad "dog"! BUT Rocky doesn't bark, and is so cute when she sleeps in sunny spots. Maybe Rocky IS a good dog?

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  • Cover image for Stomp

    Stomp

    Story time just got a little bit louder! Readers will be up and out of their chairs as they follow--and stomp--along with this rowdy read from the author of Clap! From stomping really fast to stomping while you wiggle all your toes, this interactive title promises to be an engaging and fun book perfect for group story times!

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  • Cover image for I Want a Dog

    I Want a Dog

    The Copley County Animal Shelter has an aardvark, a lizard, a goose, a weasel, and plenty more. But do they have a puppy? The girl with her wagon is ready to adopt a dog--not an aardvark, lizard, or goose! Can the shelter manager help her to find her perfect pet?

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  • Cover image for What Does an Anteater Eat?

    What Does an Anteater Eat?

    Anteater is hungry, but he has completely forgotten what anteaters eat. Baffled, and with his tummy rumbling, he consults the other animals. Sloth is too busy, Toucan is clueless, and Crocodile has his own mouth full. Whatever will Anteater do? It isn't until the ants all run for their lives that Anteater remembers what he should be eating . . . and it's not what you think! A delightfully silly tale that little ones will return to again and again.

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  • Cover image for Shake the Tree!

    Shake the Tree!

    Various animals take turns shaking a tree in search of a tasty meal. It starts with Mouse who wants a nut so she shakes the tree a little to the right, and a little to the left. But it isn't the nut that falls from the tree, it's Fox who thinks that Mouse looks pretty tasty! Soon a warthog and then a bear come along with similar ideas. Little readers will enjoy the just-made-it escapes and the fun shaking-action that readers can do along with this interactive picture book.

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