APPROVED CATEGORIES
Early Bird Deadline: November 1, 2025 • Final Deadline: February 1, 2026
Contest winners will be notified during the last week of May for each year’s contest.
CATEGORIES
Books and eBooks may be entered the following categories. A single title may be entered in multiple categories.
17. Cultural Diversity: Books that impart an appreciation for different cultures, races, and ethnicity.
18. Education/Reference: Study aids, “how-to” books, and books that stimulate the mind to teach about subjects such as history, math, science, foreign languages, government, money/saving, etc.
19. Family Matters: Books that deal with issues affecting the family, such as divorce and separation, adoption, new baby, moving, illness, sexuality, growing up, etc.
20. Green Living/Environmental Issues: Books dealing with topics such as recycling, conservation of our planet's resources, sustainability, pollution, ecosystems, etc.
21. Health, Wellness & Medicine: Books on health and wellness topics, including how to lead healthy lifestyles, sports, fitness, diseases, issues related to mental health, special needs/disability awareness, etc.
22. Learning Tools: a literacy tool that encourages reading
23. Making a Difference: Books that teach children the importance of giving and showing compassion for others in need.
24. School Life: Books dealing with issues children may encounter at school, such as bullying, friendship, social skills, self-esteem, peer pressure, dating, first day of school, academic issues, etc.
25. Spirituality/Religion: Books that address religion, spiritual matters, death and grieving, etc.
01. Board Books (Birth-Ages 3)
02. Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Fiction
03. Picture Books (Ages 3-8) Nonfiction
04. Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Fiction
05. Early Readers (Ages 5-9) Nonfiction
06. First Chapter Books (Ages 6-10) Fiction
07. First Chapter Books (Ages 6-10) NonFiction
08. Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) Fiction
09. Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) Nonfiction
10. Tween Novels (Ages 10-14) Fiction
11. Tween/Young Adult (Ages 10-14) Nonfiction
12. Young Adult Novels (Ages 13+)
13. Young Author (Ages 17 and under) Fiction
14. Young Author (Ages 17 and under) Nonfiction
15. First-Time Author (All Ages)
16. Illustrations/Photography/Artwork
Is there a category you think we should consider adding? Click on the button below to suggest a category.
Testimonials
“Having ‘Queen Vernita's Visitors’ educational series Story Monsters Approved! and winning in the Purple Dragonfly Book awards is priceless for my book series. It has added opportunities to my author career that I would not have otherwise been able to have in the increased exposure. The Story Monsters Approved! designation and being featured in Story Monsters Ink magazine has added an educational approval to the series that has an international reach. ... I look forward to many new opportunities that will arise as the series develops.”
— Dr. Dawn Menge, author of Queen Vernita's Visitors educational series