Theodore Roosevelt Children’s Book Prize
Awarded annually to the book which best enhances Theodore Roosevelt for youth--while maintaining historical fidelity.
2023
Teddy Roosevelt
Loved the Outdoors
Kate Coombs, Author
Seth Lucas, Illustrator
Gibbs Smith/Baby Lit Books, Publisher
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is proud to announce the winner of our 2023 Theodore Roosevelt Children's Book Prize: Teddy Roosevelt Loved the Outdoors (by Kate Coombs; illustrated by Seth Lucas. Gibbs Smith Layton UT 2022)
The first Theodore Roosevelt Children's Book Prize aimed at young children (kindergarten/pre-school), Teddy Roosevelt Loved the Outdoors, emphasizes the critically-important role of conservation in TR's life and the life of the nation. The rhyming text is perfect for grandparents or parents reading to children and aids children in remembering likely their first story about President Theodore Roosevelt. It also includes TR’s love of writing and his serving as a soldier. The artwork is simple yet quite bold, vivid, and well executed. It is a perfect first book on the presidency in a young child's library and will leave a lasting positive first impression about Theodore Roosevelt and America.
2022
TEDDY
Laurence Luckinbill, Author
Eryck Tait, Adapter
Dead Reckoning, Publisher
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is proud to announce this year’s winner of 2022 Theodore Roosevelt Children’s Book Prize: Laurence Luckenbill and Eryck Tait for Teddy (Dead Reckoning, 2021).
This beautifully illustrated adaptation of Luckinbill’s one-man play showcases the humanity of our 26th president. Overflowing with his love of nature, adventure, and justice, Teddy dramatically illustrates the life of one of America’s greatest presidents. His many accomplishments ranged from charging up San Juan Hill in Cuba as commander of the Rough Riders, to facing down U.S. corporate monopolies, to launching the Great White Fleet, building the Panama Canal, preserving hundreds of millions of acres of natural American beauty, and finally, to the vigorous life at Sagamore Hill and his immense pride in a beloved and rambunctious family. Teddy reveals how even the greatest of men is still just a man, and how even the most modest man can grow to be great
2021
Action Presidents #3 – Theodore Roosevelt!
Fred Van Lente, Author
Ryan Dunlavey, Illustrator
Dial Books for Young Readers, Publisher
The TRA is also proud to announce the winner of our second Children's Book Prize: Action Presidents #3 – Theodore Roosevelt! by author Fred Van Lente and illustrator Ryan Dunlavey. The third Action Presidents brings the committed conservationist and resolute rough rider Theodore Roosevelt to life.
Wimpy Kid meets the Who Was… series in these hilarious new graphic novels from New York Times bestselling comic book author Fred Van Lente and award-winning cartoonist Ryan Dunlavey. U.S. history comes to life like never before! Historically accurate and highly entertaining, Action Presidents is perfect for curious minds. With timelines, maps, charts, and more, readers will keep learning and chuckling until the last page. A Zoom award ceremony the TRA gave an engraved bust of Theodore Roosevelt, a monetary prize and an award certificate to Mr. Van Lente and Mr. Dunlavey.
2020
The Camping Trip That Changed America, Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and our National Parks
Barb Rosenstock, Author
Mordicai Gerstein, Illustrator
Dial Books for Young Readers, Publisher
The TRA is also proud to announce the winner of our first Children's Book Prize: The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein and published by Dial Books for Young Readers. Vividly illustrated and based on true events, this charming book recounts the 1903 Yosemite camping trip undertaken by President Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir in the high Sierras of Yosemite. This wilderness adventure among the giant sequoias (and a blizzard) inspired TR to use the powers of his office for a massive expansion of U.S. national parks, forests and wildlife preserves. At a Zoom award ceremony, the TRA gave an engraved bust of Theodore Roosevelt and an award certificate to Ms. Rosenstock.