Story Monsters names 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Award winners

Story Monsters Book Awards announced the 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards on Aug. 5 in Chandler, Arizona, with Linda Soules’ So You Want to Be A… series taking the $500 Grand Prize. The awards spotlight children’s books that encourage career exploration, creativity and learning.

Why it matters: - The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards put a spotlight on children’s books that can shape early reading habits, classroom discussion and career curiosity. - Linda Soules’ winning series is aimed at helping young readers imagine real professions and connect those ideas to their own interests and strengths. - The awards also help connect books with parents, educators, librarians and young readers.

What happened: - Story Monsters Book Awards announced the 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Award winners on Aug. 5 in Chandler, Arizona. - Linda Soules received the 2026 Purple Dragonfly $500 Grand Prize for her So You Want to Be A… series. - Beth Nicole Hynes’ picture book Where’s Winnie?, illustrated by Polya Bulba, was named the 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards $100 Drawing Winner.

The details: - The So You Want to Be A… series introduces children to careers including astronaut, veterinarian, scientist, marine biologist, video game designer, voice actor, shark researcher, singer and zookeeper. - The books are written for ages 10–14 and use colorful illustrations, engaging facts, glossaries and short sections to make them accessible to younger readers. - Families, educators and librarians have used the series as a resource for career exploration, classroom discussion and independent reading. - The series is designed to encourage children to think beyond a job title and consider whether a career matches their interests, talents and dreams. - Linda F. Radke, founder of Story Monsters Book Awards, said the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards were created to recognize books that make a lasting, positive impact on children’s lives. - Radke said Soules’ books inform, inspire and empower young readers and encourage them to explore possibilities. - Where’s Winnie? is inspired by a true story about a rescue dog separated from her owner. - The book follows Winnie as she searches for Beth and Beth searches for Winnie, with themes of love, loyalty, perseverance and kindness from strangers. - The picture book is intended for children ages 3–8 and centers on compassion, community and the bond between people and pets. - The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards recognize excellence in children’s literature across dozens of categories. - The awards honor authors, illustrators and publishers whose books enrich young readers through creativity, education and inspiration. - A complete list of the 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Award winners is available at Story Monsters Book Awards.

Between the lines: - The grand prize went to a series built around practical, real-world career discovery rather than fantasy or escapism. - The judging language emphasizes impact on children’s development, suggesting the program values books with educational and social value as much as storytelling craft. - The second award highlights a different strength in children’s publishing: emotionally resonant picture books based on true events.

What's next: - Story Monsters Book Awards will continue promoting winning titles through its awards programs and media channels. - Authors, illustrators and publishers can use the 2026 winners list as a reference point for the kinds of children’s books the program rewards. - Readers can view the full roster of winners online through the organization’s website.