Awards and Reviews
Pick Me!
“For a great kindergarten lesson, or for kids in Grades 1-2 who still need help in making and keeping friends, Annika Dunklee and Lori Joy Smith's trio of books featuring Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne will be invaluable. Moreover, Pick Me!, like the earlier two books, will offer young children a different perspective on friendships that they might find difficult to understand.”
— CanLit for Little Canadians, November 2024
“This narrative is ideal for tight-knit friendship groups that need a gentle dose of reality. Dunklee conveys all the dialogue through speech bubbles, giving the format a proto-graphic-novel vibe that seamlessly integrates her text with Smith’s illustrations. […] A great lesson for young readers about maintaining healthy friendships.”
— Kirkus Reviews, October 2024
William’s Getaway
"Dunklee writes a story that will feel familiar to readers who have younger siblings and sometimes need a little alone time... A sweet sibling story."
— Kirkus Reviews
"This is a great story of love, courage, and family."
— School Library Connection
"We can hardly think of a more believable and appealing story for... children trying and sometimes failing to be patient with each other."
— Spirituality & Practice
"Annika Dunklee’s storyline is a lovely description of the love between two young brothers."
— Canadian Review of Materials
Sprout, Seed, Sprout
"This quiet book effectively describes the meditative, sometimes-frustrating process that growing a plant entails."
— Kirkus Reviews
"With its subtle repetition of words and its focus on the concepts of one, two, and three, this is a delightful teaching book for young children who love nature."
— School Library Journal
"Sprout, Seed, Sprout! is a wonderful book for spring as gardening and greenery are on everybody’s radar."
— Canadian Review of Materials
"You don't even have to leave home to become a gardener as readers will discover in Annika Dunklee's very perky picture book...wonderfully simple but engaging."
— The Globe and Mail
Fire Truck for Chuck
"The book's low word count and simple language are sure to earn it accolades from parents and kids searching for fun, easy books. Certain to be a favorite among those young readers who've got a hankering for something red and shiny."
— Kirkus Reviews
"The cartoon illustrations are colorful and vibrant. Recommended for general purchase for picture book collections, storytime favorites, and beginning readers."
— School Library Journal
"Toddlers and preschoolers will all empathize and understand the love between a kid and his or her favorite toy. Cartoony illustrations are bold and bright and will get kids’ attention."
— Mom Read It
Me, Me, Me
“A pleasing morality tale on the importance of friendship and teamwork.”
— Kirkus Reviews, May 2017
“This title will resonate with kids and encourage them to embrace teamwork and inclusiveness in their daily lives.”
— School Library Journal, June 2017
2018 - Rainforest of Reading Award, One World Schoolhouse Foundation, Short-listed
Me, Too!
“With its familiar themes and fizzy text, this is one both listeners and readers will enjoy.”
— Kirkus Reviews, December 2014
“An original and enjoyable tale on the travails of friendship.”
— Resource Links, October 2015
“A good book with a strong message of inclusiveness for children experiencing some friendship growing pains.”
— School Library Journal, February 2015
“Give this to fans of Grace Lin's Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same (2010) or Kate DiCamillo's Bink and Gollie.”
— Booklist, March 2015
“Dunklee manages to to distil all the complexities of girlhood friendships in a few lines written in Swedish and French, with magnitudes of subtext going unsaid.”
— National Post, April 2015
“... this book would be a welcomed addition to any classroom or home library.”
— CM Magazine, June 2015
2015 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2015 - Readers' Choice Award, Rainforest of Reading, Winner
Please view: http://www.oneworldschoolhouse.org/news/me-too-relay
My Name Is Elizabeth!
“This debut picture-book offering from Dunklee and Forsythe is close enough to perfect in its tone, pacing and interplay between words and pictures: Wonderful.”
— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review, April 2011
“Readers who take pride in their names (especially those who have had their names butchered) may be similarly moved to express that ownership vocally.”
— Publishers Weekly, September 2011
“First-time children's author Annika Dunklee hits the mark with a spunky character who is guaranteed to charm early readers and parents alike.”— Quill & Quire, September 2011
“The book itself is close to perfect.”
— The New York Times, August 2011
“This isn't just a book about one particular name. It's about making it clear to the world who you really are. A lesson some grown-ups could stand to learn as well.”
— Elizabeth Bird, SLJ.com, July 2011
“Children who have had similar experiences will certainly relate to Elizabeth and may be inspired by her directness.”
— School Library Journal, October 2011
2012 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Starred Selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2012 - Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award, Canadian Library Association, Winner
2012 - Marion Vannett Ridgway Award, Commended
2011 - New York Times Notable Children's Books 2011, The New York Times, Winner
2011 - Best Books of the Year, Quill & Quire, Winner