WYOMING LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Buckaroo Book Award (Grades K-3)

The Buckaroo Book Award provides the opportunity for Wyoming children in grades kindergarten through third to select favorite books they have read or listened to and to honor the authors of these books. Purpose:

  • To help children become acquainted with the best contemporary authors.
  • To help children become aware of the qualities that make a good book.
  • To accustom younger children to concepts of choice, critical reading, and voting procedures that will help them participate in choosing other awards.
  • To honor an author whose book has been enjoyed by children in Wyoming.
The Buckaroo Book Award is a joint project of the Wyoming State Literacy Association and the Wyoming Library Association.

Winners & Nominees (1998-2023)

Buckaroo books by author
Buckaroo books by date
Award history

2022-2023

 

First
This Way, Charlie
by Caron Levis 


Second
King of the Birds
by Elisa Gravel


Third
Snail Crossing
by Corey R. Tabor


Other Nominees

Dear Librarian by Lydia Sigwarth
Dragonboy by Fabio Napoleoni
Encounter by Brittany Luby
Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex
A Little Bit Brave by Nicola Kinnear
The Sequoia Lives On by Joanna Cooke
Sorry (Really Sorry) by Joanna Cotler


2021-2022

 

Winner
Bad Dog
by Mike Boldt


First runner-up
Stuck Together
by Brian Smith


Second runner-up
Red Rover
by Richard Ho


Other Nominees

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña
A Drop of the Sea
by Ingrid Chabbert

Giraffe Problems
by Jory John

Just Ask!
by Sonia Sotomayor

Let 'er Buck
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship
by Markette Sheppard

The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright

2020-2021

 

Winner
Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up!
by Thomas Flintham


First runner-up
The Panda Problem
by Deborah Underwood


Second runner-up
Potato Pants!
by Laurie Keller


Other Nominees

After the Fall
by Dan Santat
The Antlered Ship
by Dashka Slater
The Donkey Egg
by Janet Stevens
The Happy Book and Other Feelings
by Andy Rash
Little Red Riding Sheep
by Linda Ravin Lodding
Rowdy Randy by Casey Rislov
The Three Vikings
by Adam Auerbach
 

2019-2020

 

Winner
Shark Lady
by Jess Keating


First runner-up
Stay
by Kate Klise


Second runner-up
Grumpy Monkey
by Suzanne Lang


Other Nominees

Bring Me a Rock!
by Daniel Miyares
A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano
I Am the Mountain Mouse
by Gianna Marino
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Life on Mars
by Jon Agee
Poor Little Guy
by Elanna Allen
The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat
by Laurence Pringle

2018-2019

 

Winner
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors 
by Drew Daywalt


First runner-up
Narwhal
 by Ben Clanton


Second runner-up
The Princess and the Pony 
by Kate Beaton


Other Nominees

Anything but Ordinary Addie
by Mara Rockliff
Be Quiet!
by Ryan T. Higgins
The Blobfish Book
by Jessica Olien
The Book of Mistakes
by Corinna Luyken
Monkey and Duck Quack Up by Jennifer Hamburg
Pandora by Victoria Turnbull
The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse by Mac Barnett

2017-2018

  Cover image for A perfectly messed-up story

Winner
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
by Patrick McDonnell


First runner-up
Coyote Moon
by Maria Gianferrari


Second runner-up
The Princess in Black
by Shannon Hale

Other Nominees
The Bear and the Piano
by David Litchfield
Dragon Was Terrible
by Kelly DiPucchio
I Will Not Eat You
by Adam Lehrhaupt
The Invisible Boy
by Trudy Ludwig
Let Me Finish!
by Minh Lê
Nobody Likes a Goblin
by Ben Hatke
Trapped!
by Robert Burleigh

2016-2017

  Cover image for There's a lion in my cornflakes

Winner
There's a Lion in My Cornflakes
by Michelle Robinson


First runner-up
Frog on a Log?
by Kes Gray


Second runner-up
Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook
by Anne Kennedy

Other Nominees
Annie and Helen
by Deborah Hopkinson
Elizabeth Started All the Trouble
by Doreen Rappaport
McToad Mows Tiny Island
by Tom Angleberger
Mother Bruce
by Ryan T. Higgins
Too Tall Houses
by Gianna Marino
A Tower of Giraffes
by Anna Wright
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold
by Joyce Sidman

2015-2016


Winner
The Book with No Pictures
by B. J. Novak


First runner-up
President Taft is Stuck in the Bath
by Mac Barnett


Second runner-up
Dojo Daycare
by Chris Tougas

Other Nominees
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Blackout
by John Rocco
Breaking News
by David Biedrzycki
The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma
by Diane Fox
Gaston
by Kelly DiPucchio
I Don’t Want to be a Frog
by Dev Petty
Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan; Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan
by Jeanette Winter
Mo’s Mustache
by Ben Clanton
This Orq
by David Elliott
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
by Bob Shea
Winnie by Sally M. Walker

2014-2015

 

Winner
Three Ninja Pigs
by Corey Rosen Schwartz


First runner-up
How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans
by David LaRochelle


Second runner-up
Exclamation Mark
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Other Nominees
The Buffalo are Back
by Jean Craighead George
George Flies South
by Simon James
The Highway Rat
by Julia Donaldson
How to Train a Train
by Jason Carter Eaton
Journey
by Aaron Becker
Monkey and Robot
by Peter Catalanotto
A Moose That Says Moooooooooo
by Jennifer Hamburg
The Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires
Neville
by Norton Juster
The Story of Fish and Snail
by Deborah Freedman
Tito Puente, Mambo King
by Monica Brown
Xander's Panda Party
by Linda Sue Park

2013-2014

 

Winner
Creepy Carrots
by Aaron Reynolds


First runner-up
Little Dog Lost
by Monica Carnesi


Second runner-up
Chalk
by Bill Thomson

Other Nominees
The Camping Trip That Changed America
by Barb Rosenstock
Each Kindness
by Jacqueline Woodson
Lacey Walker, Non-Stop Talker
by Christianne Jones
Mario Makes a Move
by Jill McElmurry
Me … Jane
by Patrick McDonnell
Nighttime Ninja
by Barbara DaCosta
Oh, No!
by Candace Fleming
One Cool Friend
by Toni Buzzeo
The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas
by Tony Wilson
Tales for Very Picky Eaters
by Josh Schneider
The Zoo with the Empty Cage
by Steven Brezenoff

2012-2013

 

Winner
Hot Rod Hamster!
by Cynthia Lord


First runner-up
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake
by Michael B. Kaplan


Second runner-up
Chicken Cheeks
by Michael Ian Black

Other Nominees
11 Experiments That Failed
by Jenny Offill
Extra Yarn
by Mac Barnett
I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen
My Rhinoceros
by Jon Agee
Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum
by Meghan McCarthy
Robot Zot!
by Jon Scieszka
Stink
by Megan McDonald
Stuck
by Oliver Jeffers
Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus
by John Grandits
Trouble Gum
by Matthew Cordell
You Will Be My Friend!
by Peter Brown
You're Finally Here!
by Mélanie Watt

2011-2012

 

Winner
Nubs
by Brian Dennis


First runner-up
Shark vs. Train
by Chris Barton


Second runner-up
I Need My Monster
by Amanda Noll

Other Nominees
Art & Max
by David Wiesner

A Beach Tail
by Karen Lynn Williams

Bink and Gollie
by Kate DiCamillo

Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse
by Rebecca Janni

Interrupting Chicken
by David Ezra Stein

Junkyard Wonders
by Patricia Polacco

Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I Don't)
by Barbara Bottner

Quackenstein Hatches a Family
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Smooch Your Pooch
by Teddy Slater

Sylvie
by Jennifer Gordon Sattler

Those Darn Squirrels
by Adam Rubin

A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk
by Deborah Ruddell


2010-2011

 

Winner
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
by Jan Thomas


First runner-up
Always in Trouble
by Corinne Demas


Second runner-up
Titanicat
by Marty Crisp

Other Nominees
The Bog Baby
by Jeanne Willis
Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer
Crazy Hair
by Neil Gaiman
Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo
by E. S. Redmond
I Hate Reading
by Arthur and Henry Bacon
Let's Do Nothing!
by Tony Fucile
Long Shot
by Chris Paul
Never Smile at a Monkey
by Steve Jenkins
Otis
by Loren Long
Spot the Plot
by J. Patrick Lewis
Tadpole Rex
by Kurt Cyrus
Yes Day!
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

2009-2010

 

Winner
Pinkalicious
by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann


First runner-up
Danny Diamondback
by Barry Jackson


Second runner-up
The Incredible Book Eating Boy
by Oliver Jeffers

Other Nominees
Bats in the Library
by Brian Lies
Birds
by Kevin Henkes
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
by Marla Frazee
Cowboy Camp
by Tammi Sauer
Help Me, Mr. Mutt!
by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
Lightship
by Brian Floca
Millie Waits for the Mail
by Alexander Steffensmeier
Monarch and Milkweed
by Helen Frost
Skunkdog
by Emily Jenkins
Snoring Beauty
by Bruce Hale
Uh-Oh, Cleo
by Jessica Harper
A Visitor for Bear
by Bonny Becker
 

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Members

Co-Chair Eva Dahlgren (through 2023)
Alta Branch Library
(307) 353-2505

Co-Chair Ginny Nading
Journey Elementary
(307) 253-3700

Carolin Hardesty
Buffalo Ridge Elementary
(307) 686-3058

Eli Palmer

Jessie Otto

Krisene Watson
Campbell County Public Library
(307) 687-9210

Kimberly Redmond

Rita Heath
Glenrock Branch Library
(307) 436-2573

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Award Guidelines

7022

How books are chosen for the list

The annually-nominated titles will be chosen by Wyoming students in grades K-3 based upon the following nomination guidelines:

  • The book may be fiction or nonfiction, including poetry.
  • The book must currently be in print and have a copyright date within the last five years.
  • The book may be a picture book, easy-to-read book, a high interest-low vocabulary book, or an appropriate grade level chapter book.
  • The book must not have appeared first as a movie or TV show.
  • Books cannot be on the list two consecutive years.
  • An author may have only one book on the award list.

The deadline for 2023-2024 nominations is March 1, 2023.

Voting

Wyoming children from kindergarten through third grade are encouraged to read or listen to as many of the nominated books as possible and to vote for their favorite.

  • Each participating child will vote for only one book.
  • A child may vote only once.
  • Participants must have read or listened to at least three books to be an eligible voter.
  • Buckaroo Book Award voting will take place online, beginning in January 2023.

The deadline for 2022-2023 voting is March 15, 2023.

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Committee Composition & Responsibilities

Composition

  • Eight members: four from each sponsoring organization, appointed by governing members of the organization or designees.
  • Three-year terms with four-year terms expiring annually, provided not more than half the committee is new.
  • Three consecutive terms allowed.
  • Terms begin in October.
  • Two members shall act as co-chairs, one from each organization (WRC and WLA).
  • Members must be on the committee for at least one year before becoming a chair.
  • Co-chairs' terms of office should expire on alternate years.
  • Expenses will be submitted to the WLA Secretary who bills the Wyoming Reading Council for one-half of the expenses.

Chair Responsibilities

  • Coordinates nominations and voting.
  • Arranges and conducts meetings.
  • Arranges spring meeting to finalize list.
  • Casts tie-breaking vote.
  • Arranges tabulation of ballot tallies.
  • Notifies author, publisher, sections, and association of the results.
  • Notifies journals, Children's Book Council, media, and WLA Awards Chair of results.
  • Public relations for the award, new releases, etc.
  • Keeps records of the committee.
  • Reports to the WLA Executive Board throughout the year.
  • Sends February mailing/e-mail to remind participants of voting nomination deadline.
  • Releases winner's announcement/voting results to public libraries and schools in April.
  • Sets up display of nominated books at fall conference.
  • Produces annual packet.
  • Organizes book-talk program for annual conference.

Committee Member Responsibilities

  • Assist chair with above responsibilities.
  • Meet to evaluate reviews and develop new list of nominations.
  • Assist chair in producing annual packet.
  • Participates in the book-talk presentation at the annual conference.

Packets

The committee will produce a camera-ready copy of the Buckaroo packet and mail it to all public and school libraries in Wyoming. The camera-ready copy should be sent in August. These packets will be sent in all mailings with the Indian Paintbrush packets and reminders. The packet should include:

  • Announcement of winning book.
  • Current nominated book title list.
  • Ordering information.
  • Nominating and voting guidelines, including necessary forms (student ballot, nomination ballot, tally ballot).
  • Master copy of the bookmark and stickers.

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Buckaroo Book Award History

The Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award was initiated in 1997 through the Wyoming Reading Council (WRC) for Wyoming children in kindergarten through third grade. In 1999 the Wyoming Library Association (WLA) joined with the WRC to support this reading program for children.

The first reading list was compiled from adult suggestions and included books regardless of award or copyright criteria. Thereafter nominations have been solicited by teachers and librarians directly from the students in Kindergarten through third grade.

The first winner of the Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award in the spring of 1998 was Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg was the second place winner, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood was third.

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