The Indiana Center for the Book at the Indiana State Library has announced the 2026 recipient of the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award as “Little Freddie Two Pants,” published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, “Little Freddie Two Pants” is a picture book about a dog who doesn't know how many pairs of pants to wear or where to wear them.
The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is in its 12th year. Since The inception of the program in October of 2014, more than 34,000 votes have been cast for the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award.
More than 4,400 Indiana children aged 0-5 voted for their favorite book from a ballot of five books. "Freddie" earned 1,242 votes.
"This is phenomenal news. I believe that just by existing, a picture book has succeeded because there’s a special book for every child. And to think that our book was chosen by so many children is heartwarming, and frankly, a little overwhelming. I’m honored to be part of this, and I’m honored to get to partner with Lucy who is a genius artist and storyteller," said Daywalt, a New York Times bestselling author.
The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is an initiative of the Indiana Center for the Book to promote early childhood literacy in Indiana. The nominees are chosen by the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee from a list of books nominated by library staff who work with children all over Indiana.