Top 20 Books of 2020: 20-16

At the end of a trying year, getting together with John Schumacher to pick our favorite books of 2020 was just what I needed. Familiar and celebratory. We’ve been doing this for 11 years now.

Over the next few days, we’ll be counting down our top twenty (mostly) K-6 books of the year. I’ll share our blurbs about each book here, and you can head over to Watch. Connect. Read. for additional resources for each title.

20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

20. Willa the Wisp (Fabled Stables Book #1) by Jonathan Auxier, illustrated by Olga Demidova [Amulet (Abrams) | Grades 1-3]

Because it’s a whole new magical world for readers to explore. -Travis

Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

19. Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohman [Neal Porter Books (Holiday House) | Grades K-3]

Because you’ll never look at a honeybee the same way again. -John

Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

18. The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora [Schwartz & Wade (Random House) | Grades K-3]

Because you never stop learning. -Travis

Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

17. My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki [Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) | Grades K-2]

Because it beautifully and authentically captures the moment you meet a best friend for the first time. -John

Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

16. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James [Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin) | Grades K-2]

Because it’s joy in print. -Travis

Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

Filed under: Best of, Best of 2020