Reviews, Awards & Recognition for KidsWorldBooks

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KidsWorldBooks titles have earned recognition from respected literary reviewers, award organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions across the hemisphere. A selection of that praise:

"Charming…full of…polish and physical comedy.” — Publisher’s Weekly (Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words)

“Bizarrely funny!” — The Horn Book (Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids)

“Suspenseful without…getting too intense.” — Kirkus Reviews (Sounds in the House / Sonidos en la casa: A Mystery in English & Spanish)

“Delightful…humorous…bright.” — School Library Journal (She Doesn’t Want the Worms / Ella no quiere los gusanos: A Mystery in Spanish & English)

“Works effortlessly on every level…museum-quality artwork…raises the bar for all children’s picture books.” — ForeWord Reviews Magazine (She Doesn’t Want the Worms / Ella no quiere los gusanos)

“Especially recommended.” — School Library Connection (She Doesn’t Want the Worms)

“Thoroughly entertaining…a very strong book for youngsters…a fine resource for adults.” — Grady Harp, Amazon Children’s Book Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer (Great Cape o’ Colors: Career Costumes for Kids)

“Hilarious…will leave enraptured gigglers in its wake.” — Midwest Book Review (Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm)

“On your way to learning…English and Spanish…Karl and Jeremy have turned this colorful…multicultural children’s book into an educational tool of…laughter and mystery…. Your child will enjoy every moment!”— Vernita Naylor, Readers’ Favorite (It Came from Under the High Chair / Salió de debajo de la silla para comer: A Mystery in English & Spanish)

“Highly recommended.” — Midwest Book Review (Arriba Up, Abajo Down at the Boardwalk: A Picture Book of Opposites)

“5 stars. A delightful, touching story…about helping others, compassion and the unconditional love of pets. Beautifully illustrated and a good message: another 5-star gem from Karl Beckstrand! Based on two real-life dogs and a little boy (the author).” — N.N. Light (Muffy & Valor: A True Dog Story)

“Packed full of fun…brilliantly colored illustrations…charming story…rollicking ride.… Beckstrand is a master storyteller…exactly how children come to love…words…and embrace books.” — Jean Baldridge Yates, Vine Voice (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga)

“Intriguing…entertaining.” — Midwest Book Review (Why Juan Can’t Sleep: A Funny Mystery)

“Simple language and homespun charm.…A bit of everything: adventure, melancholy, joy…common sense and pathos.” — Barbara Monjica, author (Horse & Dog Adventures in Early California: Short Stories & Poems by Ransom Wilcox)

“Beautiful illustrations…brilliant colors.… All you need is imagination.… Each time you read it, a different story plays out.… One of the best picture books I have ever read, or viewed.… Also a recommended adult read.” — Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews (Big Black Seed: A Book with No Words)

“Guides readers into a world that is eye-opening and page-turning!” — UP Authors (Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story)

“Tapping into the most powerful interest on the planet: the hunger to know who we are and where we come from…. Greatest story…for young and old.” — Jeff Gallup, TV producer (Anna’s Prayer: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl)

👉 For additional educator reviews, see Kelly’s Classroom Online

To Swallow the Earth: A Western Thriller — 2016 International Book Award winner

Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story — 2014 UP Author’s Design Award winner; #2 in Amazon’s Hot New Children’s Books

Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words — Promoting Picture Books cover contest winner

Abundant Paths — 2025 Global Book Award — Nonfiction (Karl Beckstrand, author)

She Doesn’t Want the Worms / Ella no quiere los gusanos — Top 10 Best Books of 2011 — ForeWord Reviews Magazine

Crumbs on the Stairs / Migas en las escaleras: A Mystery in English & Spanish — Ranked in Amazon’s top 10 best-selling books for ESL, large print, and Spanish juvenile titles

To Swallow the Earth: A Western Thriller — Laramie Award finalist

It Came from Under the High Chair: A Mystery in English & Spanish — N.N. Light’s Book Heaven finalist (children’s)

Why Juan Can’t Sleep: A Funny Mystery — Utah Book Award finalist (juvenile)

The following titles were selected for use by educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations:

GROW: How We Get Food from Our Garden — Selected for use by the Georgia Farm Bureau, the USDA 

(via Virginia Tech), the Library of Congress, the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, and Alberta Health Services (Canada)

The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living — Selected by the State of Vermont for career and finance curriculum

Crumbs on the Stairs / Migas en las escaleras — Selected by Granite School District in Utah for ESL/dual-language programs

KidsWorldBooks titles have been featured in print, broadcast, and digital publications. Images of media coverage appear below.

“Short and simple…will likely draw the attention of young readers.” — Melissa DeMoux, Deseret News (Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids)

“[Las] obras … [del] autor... promueven la literatura bilingüe.” — Normand Garcia, AhoraUtah (Crumbs on the Stairs / Migas en las escaleras)

“Elevando la Lectura Bilingüe.” — Tania Navarro, El Observador (Crumbs on the Stairs / Migas en las escaleras: A Mystery in English & Spanish)

 👉  Press resources available here. Contact us for media inquiries.

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