Ladybug Longlist: Identity & Self Acceptance

Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb

"Great illustrations and a story with a wonderful voice. It's adorable, and hysterical, and obnoxiously rhyming, and talks about handling big feelings ." -- nominator

Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo

"The artwork is delicious! In fact, the illustrations tell almost the entire story of a young girl's adjustment to school in America. The endpapers offer a prologue and epilogue; a peek underneath the dust jacket reveals a clever connection to the story. This one will tug at your heartstrings and cause your belly to rumble. Thankfully, the back matter will answer most of your students' language and menu questions." -- nominator

Masterpiece by Alexandra Hoffman

"This beautiful story encourages empathy and inclusion as well as sharing that everyone is beautiful in their differences.  Not many children's stories can depict autism in such an accurate way to ensure readers understand that others may think and feel in ways differently than they do or allow autistic readers to feel seen." -- nominator

Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld

"What a great book for children and their self esteem. We often listen too much as to what others think of us and the ending of this story just makes you want to hug the characters." - nominator

Rory the Remarkable Dragon by Kathryn Rammell

"Delightful tale of a chicken that everyone thinks is a remarkable dragon. So warm and adorable and about seeing the best in people. " -- nominator

Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom by Cate Berry

"Funny and clever with adorable illustrations. You can’t help but love Scorch as you ride her ups, downs, and throughs in the quest for authentic self.  -- nominator

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris

"Every kid will relate to Teeny-Weeny Unicorn, as he figures out how to live in a world not made for his stature." -- nominator

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy

"To all the introverted kids this story speaks to them!" -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 15 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2025 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.