We are pleased to announce the shortlist titles for the 10th annual CLEL Bell Awards. The 2024 year was historic in its submissions, committee involvement, and display of diversity. The way the award has evolved in the past 10 years speaks to how early literacy librarians have a voice in ensuring all our patrons are …
Kate Fitzpatrick, a 2024 CLEL Bell Awards Committee Member, talks about two titles she’s been using and loving in her storytimes. These are titles that were suggested for the practice of PLAY for the 2024 CLEL Bell Award. Enjoy! Kate Fitzpatrick (she/her) Kate Fitzpatrick is a Bilingual Children’s and Teens’ Librarian for Longmont Public Library. …
by Andy Gallegos, Early Literacy Librarian at Arapahoe Libraries, 2024 CLEL Bells Committee Member The CLEL Bell Awards have been given to children’s picture books since 2013. These awarded books are determined through the meticulous scrutiny of the CLEL Bell Committee. With so many amazing picture books that get published every year, this can be …
By Alison Loewen, Librarian at Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and member of 2024 CLEL Bell Awards Selection Committee I recently attended the annual American Library Association conference in Chicago. The event is a whirlwind of educational presentations and an exhibit hall filled with authors and illustrators, product vendors, universities, publishers, and others sharing …
Q&A with Melanie Borski-Howard, 2024 CLEL Bell Awards Committee Chair and Youth Services Specialist at Boulder Public Library, and Andrea Cleland, Early Literacy Librarian at Loveland Public Library In May 2023, Melanie Borski-Howard and Andrea Cleland, two stellar children’s librarians in Colorado, had the opportunity to present their “Let the Children March” presentation at the …
by Karen Walker, Kids and Families Core Service Librarian, Jefferson County Public Library, Colorado, member of the 2024 CLEL Bell Awards committee “Have any of you been camping? ¿Alguien ha ido a acampar?” That was the question Rodney the Rat with his little backpack asked the kids at storytimes in May at one of my …
by Maureen Quinlan, 2024 CLEL Bell Awards Co-Chair Ever wonder how a CLEL Bell book goes from publication to winning the award? Here is the step-by-step process of how readers, books, and librarians all fit into the CLEL Bells puzzle. For a more in-depth analysis of our committee work, read on. Book award committee work …
For the first time, we’ve expanded our committee to include 17 members, 9 returning and 8 new members. We are so excited to welcome our new members and start work as a committee. Before our work begins, we wanted to introduce all our committee members and include some of their very impressive resumes. Melanie Borski-Howard …
There are so many benefits to being on this committee. You will improve your Collection Development skills, connect with other talented librarians and so much more! Fill out your application today! This year we are actively recruiting biligual Spanish/English librarians and educators to gain experience serving on the CLEL Bell Awards committee. Our goal is …
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. …
