MITTEN AWARD

The Mitten Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner. Mitten Award Guidelines (pdf)

2025 Mitten Award

First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner.

The winner of the 2024 Mitten Award is We Are Definitely Human written and illustrated by X. Fang and published by Tundra Books.

2025 Mitten Award Top Ten Titles

We Are Definitely Human written and illustrated by X. Fang
Time to Make Art written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ursula Upside Down written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Andrea Zuill
I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Julie Kwon
The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers Sam Winston
Frostfire by Elly MacKay
Eli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
If You Run Out of Words by Felicita Sala
How to Pee Your Pants (The Right Way) by Rachel Michelle Wilson

Mitten Award Seals

Download the Mitten Award seals to use at your library! Winner, Honor Book and Top Ten Title award seals are available for download here: (To download, right-click on the seal and save it as an image.)