Early Childhood Book Awards

We continue our look at children’s books awards today with awards specifically focused on early childhood. This one is definitely one of my favorites because of the spotlight on books for very young listerners and new readers.

Award Winning Books for Early Childhood Settings

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CLEL Bells

Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy announce annual awards around talk, play, read, sing, and write. I always discover a new book or two on this list.

The CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards are an annual recognition of five high-quality picture books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children.
Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy

Here are some of my favorite past award winners. New award winner are announced early in each new year. See all the winners HERE.

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth (2021 SING Winner)

Daniel’s Good Day by Micah Archer (2020 TALK Winner)

Crash! Boom! A Math Tale by Robie H. Harris (2019 PLAY Winner)

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings (2019 WRITE Winner)

The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark (2018 READ Winner)

Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year

This comprehensive list is always a treat to check out too.

Chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.
Bank Street College of Education

Bank Street College of Education does a great job of breaking up books into age bands, categories, and giving book descriptions. There is an under 5 category as well as books for 5-9 year-olds. Here are some favorites from both of those lists. And, you can see all the winners HERE.

Beehive by Jorey Hurley (2021 Under 5 Category)

Friday Night Wrestle Fest by J.F. Fox (2021 Under 5 Category)

The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann (2021 5-9 Year-Old Category)

Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus (2021 5-9 Year-Old Category)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Finally, a book award celebrating beginning readers. The books for this award are meant to support and encourage the beginning reader.

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
American Library Association

The first award winners were announced in 2006. And, here are a few past winners I have thoroughly enjoyed.

New awards are announced each winter typically in January or February. See all the past winners HERE.