2026 Picture Book Nominees

Read or listen to at least 5 of the Picture Book Nominees on this page, then vote for your favorite in March 2026!

We are excited to present read-alouds, book trailers, and activities for the 2026 North Carolina Children's Book Award Picture Book Nominees.  Children nominated their favorite titles published since 2022.  Our committee chose the top twelve and now it's time for the children of North Carolina to get ready to vote for their favorite!  

Picture Book Nominees

 2026 NCCBA Activities Guide

 Picture Book annotated list

Bookmarks/Ballots  |  flyer with book covers (can be used as ballot)

100 Mighty Dragons Read-aloud

100 Dragons Named Broccoli Activities

Buffalo Fluffalo Read-aloud

  Buffalo Fluffalo Activities

Don't Trust Cats Read-aloud

Don't Trust Cats Activities

Home in a Lunchbox Read-aloud

Home in a Lunchbox Activities

I Want 100 Dogs Read-aloud

Ice Cream Everywhere Activities

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals Read-aloud

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals Activities

Three Billy Goats Gruff Read-aloud

Three Billy Goats Gruff Activities

Two New Years Read-aloud

Two New Years Activities

Whalesong Read-aloud

Whalesong Activities

Whirligigs audiobook

Whirligigs Activities

 

The Yellow Bus Read-aloud

The Yellow Bus Activities

Zap! Clap! Boom! Read-aloud

Zap! Clap! Boom! Activities