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Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children’s Books
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes children’s books that mesmerize audiences with incredible narratives, vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and fresh ideas. Offering well-earned accolades, we salute the imagination and exceptional skill of authors who create tales that spark curiosity and delight in young minds.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Three Encounters of the Romantic Kind by TG Gore
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Who is “Not Me”?
Not Me! follows a little boy on his first day of school who learns an important lesson in responsibility when he is forced to take the blame for his own actions. Where did the idea for this book come from?
“Not Me” came from a situation that often happened to me as an early childhood educator for 39 years. Oftentimes when a child did something “accidentally” and I would see it happen, I would go over and ask “who did this”? The child didn’t want to admit their mistake, even though I had seen it, and would often reply “not me!” One day this happened 5 times before lunch. I was convinced we had someone in our class named “Not Me.” I held a class meeting with all the kindergartners sitting around me. I asked the children to stand when they heard their name and to stay standing. After everyone was standing, I added one more name, Not Me. The children glared at me and said, “we have no one in our class named Not Me.” I explained that it is important to admit our mistakes rather than blame others. I am not saying Not Me never got blamed again but instead wrote a humorous children’s book to illustrate to all of us how we can learn from our mistakes.
What is your favorite scene in Joshua’s story?
My favorite scene in the story is the last page, when Not Me leaves B.A. Friend Elementary. Joshua knows the importance of admitting his mistakes and doesn’t need to put the blame on Not Me. I often ask readers “where do you think Not Me” is going next? I listen to their priceless reactions but often conclude with “I hope he’s not going to your house/school.” I want the discussion to lead to the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. I also like the scene where Joshua and Not Me are talking in Mr. Fair’s (the principal’s) office. Not Me realizes he is not needed anymore and Joshua wants to learn from his mistakes.Things have calmed down once the principal enters the room and Joshua can admit all the things he has done wrong.
Where did you get the inspiration for Joshua’s traits and dialogue?
I loved writing the character descriptions, especially for Joshua. He is the oldest with twin younger sisters at home. He is the first child in his family to go to school and he is a people pleaser. Even though I don’t have twin siblings, I am the oldest and have always loved school and pleasing others. Joshua’s dialogue is based on my many conversations teaching kindergarten and first grade children. Most of the time, they love their teacher and want to please him/her. As I was writing Joshua’s dialogue, I felt the anguish of wanting to do everything right but making mistakes along the way. I wanted a book that let children know that making mistakes is part of growing up.
What do you hope young readers take away from Not Me?
I hope readers find “Not Me” to be humorous and that they can relate to at least one character. My illustrator, Carissa Harris, did a wonderful job bringing the story to life with Not Me’s dialog in a cartoon bubble. I think this distinguishes real from make believe. I hope my book provides discussion between the reader and those that love them, that we all make mistakes and what we learn from those mistakes is most important.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | Website
How would you handle a character like Not Me? Will he come to visit you next?
You Can’t Stop Me
You Can’t Stop Me is an inspiring and empowering book, particularly for young readers, especially girls. Through vivid storytelling and raw emotion, Allison Aller crafts a compelling narrative that highlights the obstacles, criticism, and societal pressures girls often face. Yet, rather than succumbing to these challenges, the protagonists rise above them, refusing to be defined by limitations imposed on them. This book is a testament to resilience, determination, and the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to be held back.
What makes this story truly remarkable is its broad scope. Rather than centering on a single character, Aller weaves together the experiences of multiple girls, each possessing unique abilities and strengths. What others perceive as weaknesses, whether it’s speaking too much, having an unconventional sense of style, or being overly emotional, are transformed into powerful assets. Instead of suppressing their individuality, these young women harness their qualities to carve their own paths. Some join the debate team, others design clothing, and one, often told she is “too emotional,” becomes a therapist, using her empathy to help others heal.
That particular scene struck a deep chord with me. Too often, women are told to suppress their emotions, as if feeling deeply is a flaw rather than a strength. Aller challenges this narrative, showcasing how qualities dismissed as “too much” can, in fact, be the very traits that shape one’s success.
Beyond personal empowerment, the book carries an important lesson: greatness isn’t innate, it’s cultivated. Aller reinforces the idea that skill, mastery, and success come through persistence and practice, even in fields traditionally dominated by men. The message is clear: hard work, determination, and self-belief can break barriers.
You Can’t Stop Me is an essential read, one that should be shared widely among young audiences. Allison Aller delivers a powerful reminder to embrace individuality, lean into strengths, and push forward despite resistance. This book is not just about overcoming obstacles, it’s about owning one’s identity and thriving because of it.
Pages: 30 | ASIN: B0CWJWJS6Q
A Beacon to Hope and Success
Sparent is a series of personal essays recounting the heartbreak and joy you have experienced within your blended family. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I am passionate about protecting the blended family as, through my experience, I have learned how important it is to keep blended families whole. My blended family was created via a second marriage after divorce. I experienced, first-hand, the effects of the divorce trauma that my stepchildren and husband carried into our blended family. I started journaliing for my own mental health as I pledged to do whatever I could to keep our blended family together and break that cycle of divorce. My hope is that my experiences help those blended families folllowing in our footsteps. This is a family-type with very few helpful resources – I hope that my book provides a beacon to hope and success for those navigating these challenging waters.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you share your story. What was the most difficult thing for you to write about?
I’m not a huge fan of disclosing my failures, but those are the most important stories I can tell. I thought that being a stepmother would be simple. It was a disaster – the first real failure I’d had in my life. Of course that is not something I want the world to know but I understand how important it is to hear. Women are often tasked with putting on a perfect appearance. It is terrifying to tell the world that I wasn’t perfect, that many of my family’s struggles pointed back to me, and that I often felt like giving up but I know these stories are the ones that will be most helpful to others.
How did you decide what to include in your memoir?
Sparent is the first book in a series that will follow my family for several years. It was born from those first journal entries I made when I needed an outlet for my frustrations and feelings of inadequacy. I’ve included every journal entry from the year 2019, though I seriously considered removing some of the more difficult ones. There have been some tweaks to add more details but Sparent is really a direct look into my life.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Sparent?
That depends on the reader. For blended families, I hope they see themselves in my words and find solutions to any difficulties they are having. For those in tradtional families, I hope they gain appreciation for the challenges of the blended family and become more willing to chat about those challenges with those they might know experiencing them. It is so important that we all stick together and serve as a source of comfort as we all want the same thing: a happy family.
Author Links: X | Facebook | Website
I am the Sparent.
I am the extra parent that no child wants in their lives.
I will always be the Sparent.
It is a role that I have come to embrace.
A role that I am proud to hold.
A position in which I thrive.
Spare or not, I am exactly where I belong.
“As we were sitting in our third therapy appointment in three days (well, four if you count physical therapy to alleviate the neck pain from banging my head into the wall), I thought, “Oh my god…who has three therapists?!” Not us. Three would just be a start.”
Sparent, by Jyl Barlow, is filled with the true tales of life in a blended family. Through laughter and tears, Sparent offers insight and wisdom that is easily applied to all types of families. Jyl is best known for giggling at inappropriate times, something she carries into her writing. As a humorist, Jyl’s writing has been compared to Erma Bombeck’s. As a stepmother, she’s been compared to . . . well, that’s not important.
“Jyl’s wit and wisdom left me feeling seen, heard, and understood. She is both honest and hilarious in guiding others through the beautiful chaos of the blended family.” – Toni G, Raising His Kids Podcast
Sparent is the much-anticipated follow-up to Jyl’s award-winning memoir, What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting (Parenting Tales from the Most Unqualified Stepmom Ever).
I Enjoyed Writing All Of It
Queen of the Mountain follows a sad older woman who arrives in a tiny village where she meets a young farm girl who relates to her feelings of loss and befriends her. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration for this story began with a hike through Switzerland. I hiked through some of the areas where the Countess of Kent (Queen Victoria) visited in Switzerland. She put them on the tourist map for early English travellers. Furthermore, as a child, it was the kindness of my elders who helped me to overcome and deal with some painful losses in my own life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The main idea for this book was to encourage and foster empathy in children. Also to show that friendships can form organically across generations and backgrounds with kindness and openness.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
This is a difficult question to answer because I enjoyed writing all of it. However if I had to choose, I would say the part that show’s Vicky, the young farmer girl, following the Countess of Kent and discovering that despite her age and otherness, she likes and appreciates the same thing that Vicky does in nature and that they have both experienced loss.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am currently working on three projects: submitting a chapbook for publication, my first novel and a collection of envirnonmental poems.
Realistically I think the chapbook will be available next fall, given I find a new publisher for it soon.
Author Links: Instagram | Facebook | X
In this gentle and loving story, a carefree farm girl strikes up an unusual friendship with an interesting foreigner.
Soon they both realise they have a lot in common, even though they have very different lives.
Our Song, Our Voice
Tuula Pere’s Our Song, Our Voice is a heartfelt story about a young golden crow named Sisu who embarks on a journey to save his beloved grandmother and preserve the traditions of his endangered flock. Set in a valley threatened by deforestation and invasive species, the book follows Sisu as he learns ancient songs, finds his courage, and sets out to retrieve a powerful healing resin from the distant Blue Mountains. Along the way, he discovers the power of music, the wisdom of elders, and the importance of preserving one’s heritage.
One of the most touching aspects of the book is the relationship between Sisu and his grandmother, Una. Their bond feels genuine and warm, full of love and wisdom. Una teaches Sisu not only about survival but also about values, culture, and the importance of knowing where one comes from. The way Pere weaves life lessons into the story feels natural and never preachy, making them all the more effective.
The story also does a great job of portraying resilience and bravery. Sisu, though small and inexperienced, takes on a daunting journey when no one else believes in the old traditions. When his parents dismiss his grandmother’s wisdom, he listens anyway. When he’s told he’s too young or weak, he pushes forward. His moment of triumph, when the old golden crows recognize his song and guide him, is one of the most rewarding parts of the book. The idea that language, tradition, and song can connect generations, even across time and distance, gives the story emotional weight.
The destruction of the golden crows’ home due to deforestation mirrors the plight of many endangered species today. The struggle to keep traditions alive, especially when they are deemed unnecessary or outdated by others, is something many cultures face. Our Song, Our Voice doesn’t just tell a story, it encourages readers to think about what’s worth preserving.
Our Song, Our Voice is recommended to anyone who enjoys meaningful, emotionally rich stories. Younger readers will appreciate the adventure, while older ones will find deeper themes to reflect on. It’s perfect for families to read together, as it sparks conversations about heritage, bravery, and the environment. Pere’s storytelling, combined with Muntasir Dipto’s charming illustrations, makes this children’s book both engaging and thought-provoking.
Pages: 40 | ISBN: 9528202179
Universal Theme of Love
Bella & Chantey: Mama Wants a Blue Mushroom follows a pig and her macaw sidekick as they set out on a rainforest adventure to find a rare mushroom. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
We work with the Ngäbe people who live on the Comarca or reservation where I had the story take place. The children do not have children’s books per se, and I wanted to write some stories for them and include their environment.
What is it that draws you to write children’s literature?
I love to watch young children learn about new places, different countries, and people in the world. I also enjoy seeing children being entertained and laughing over stories. I place educational material in the backmatter of my books to educate the children besides giving them an entertaining story. I also try to have a universal theme of love, family, or learning experience that children can see themselves in or identify with the story.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. What was the collaboration with illustrator César Meléndez like?
César is excellent to work with. He has unique ideas for illustrations and is very realistic in his drawings. He has emotions in animal faces and does a fantastic job with water scenes. He asks for suggestions and always asks if they are ok. An excellent fit between author and illustrator- we think alike.
Can fans expect to see more adventures featuring Bella and Chantey? What are you currently working on?
I am working on a chapter book with main characters from the Ngäbe Comarca, Double Trouble on the Comarca. Benny the Boa is an adapted Ngäbe folklore story, which is almost completed, and yes, a second book with Bella and Chantey, also taking place on the Comarca.
I had some people from a nearby church ask if I could write a children’s bible story picture book, so I have done that, and it is currently at a traditional editor to see whether they will accept it. Another editor I work with said if it’s not accepted, go ahead and self-publish it because she likes the story.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
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