In search of good books for your children?
A children's book about sightseeing bears and a chapter book about a girl and her magical town are the winners of this year's Georgia Children's Book Awards, sponsored by the College of Education at the University of Georgia.
Top honors went to David Biedrzycki for his picture book, "Breaking News Bear Alert," which tells the story of two bears who awaken from hibernation and tour a nearby town, according to UGA Today.
The bears eat at a diner, play dress-up in a store and stop a bank robbery, all the while misinterpreting the residents' terror for friendliness.
The hardcover book is ideal for ages 4-8. You can purchase it on Amazon used for $2.19 or new for $14.09.
"A Snicker of Magic" by Natalie Lloyd received the second-place award.
Twelve-year-old Felicity and her nomadic mother move to a town called Midnight Gulch, a once magical and happy town that has been cursed.
Felicity aspires to break the spell that's been cast over the town, bring the magic back and mend her mother's broken heart. The paperback book, appropriate for ages 8-12, can be purchased on Amazon for $4.52.
The annual awards are part of the Conference on Children's Literature at the UGA Hotel and Conference Center, according to UGA Today. Winners were chosen from 20 nominees announced in February 2015.
Those nominees were subsequently voted on by thousands of Georgia children, according to UGA Today. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade vote on the winning picture book, while kids in grades four through eight vote on the chapter book award.
Students receive the nominated children's books through teachers and librarians during the summer and school year, said Jennifer Graff, associate professor in the UGA College of Education's department of language and literacy education. Graff is also chairwoman of the picture book award committee.
Graff said the voting took place this January and February, so kids have an entire year to access the books.
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