The CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards are an annual recognition of five high-quality picture books that provide excellent support of early literacy skills for young children in each of five categories: Read, Write, Sing, Talk, and Play. Eligible books were published or distributed in the United States between November 16, 2021 and November 15, 2022. …
by Alex McCall / Douglas County Libraries It is easy to convince a librarian that speaking, talking, and reading to children from birth is a vital component of early literacy. From day one, babies’ brains develop neural pathways based on their caregivers’ words, intonations, and gestures that lay the foundations for them to read later …
by Jessica Fredrickson / Emeritus CLEL Training and Advocacy Chair As Melody Garcia recently posted on the CLEL Blog, early math skills are essential to both later math AND reading success! Reading math picture books in storytime is one great way to help young children build early math skills. The flannel board is another powerful …
by Katherine Bunker / High Plains Library District Almost three years after the CoVid-19 pandemic changed the way library professionals engaged patrons, many of us are still navigating the best approach to patron engagement. In the absence of in-person programs due to social distancing restrictions, the popularity of Take-and-Makes (a prepared craft or activity to take home …
by Kaylene Loo / Grand County Library District Being in a rural library, there is the opportunity to do it all. As of now GCLD has a limited number of staff, therefore library associates take on all programs and library tasks. I have the wonderful opportunity to do programs in early literacy, but also programs for children, teens, and adults. In my opinion it is the perfect way to explore different areas. Not only …
Notes from the Member Meetup by Kelly Allan, CLEL Steering Subcommittee Chair At November’s Member Meetup, attendees talked about some of their favorite storytime reads published in 2022. We also discussed trends we noticed in picture books this year such as the continuation of themes of diversity, consent, and environmental justice. Our meeting attendees’ 2022 …
Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy took our mission of being “Passionately committed to strengthening children’s literacy through library services and community advocacy” one step further this year by creating four annual Mini Grants of $500. Sponsored by the CLEL Membership Committee, one of the requirements is that grant recipients must be members of CLEL. Fifteen …
The CLEL Bell Award Shortlist is here and the selection committee is asking your input to help decide the 2023 CLEL Bell Award winners! The nominated books have been narrowed to a shortlist of five titles from each of the categories: Read, Write, Sing, Talk, and Play. Next, all CLEL members can vote on their …
Melody Garcia / CLEL Communications Chair As librarians we focus on getting children ready to read in the first five years. In our storytimes and programs we reinforce pre-reading skills and strive to instill a love of books and reading in young children. The reality for many children though, is that no matter how prepared …
Notes From the Member Meetup by Kelly Allan, CLEL Steering Subcommittee Chair Every other month, CLEL members are invited to come together for Member Meetups. Held virtually, these hour-long sessions are a way for members to connect with colleagues across the state in a casual, conversational atmosphere with topics driven by member survey results. So …
