2023 CLEL Bell “Talk” Nominations pt. 2

Our CLEL Bell Book Award practice committees have been busy! Here are the next nominations in the category of “Talk”. This category honors books that encourage conversations, foster language play, and model creative adult-child dialog. Our committee looks for books that show age-appropriate communication, share the value of social interaction, or books that make it easy to have discussions with children while you read.

Many nominations come from title suggestions submitted by members like you! The CLEL Bell Selection Committee is accepting title suggestions for the 2023 CLEL Bell Award until November 18, 2022.

The Problem with Pajamas – By Lauren Stohler – Published February 22, 2022 – Atheneum Books for Young Readers

A young child cannot stand the feeling of wearing pajamas! They are simply too itchy, too wrinkly, and too tight! After attempting to convince their father that they just don’t need them, they come up with a solution together.

I Love You Because I Love You – By Muon Thi Van; Illustrated by Jessica Love – Published January 18, 2022 – Katherine Tegen Books

Why do we love who we choose to love? The pages within these covers displays numerous unique families as they state a reason why they love one another. Children and their grown-ups are likely to see themselves reflected somewhere in this book as it encourages them to express their own love.

Gibberish– By Young Vo – Published March 1, 2022 –  Levine Querido

Dat has just moved to a new country with his mah and everything people say around him sounds like gibberish. He may be struggling with the new country’s language for a while, but Dat discovers friendship can transcend words.

After the Buzz Comes the Bee – By Robie Rogge; Illustrated by Rachel Isadora – Published April 5, 2022 – Holiday House

An interactive tale featuring diverse children that will have every reader guessing what comes after a buzz or a baaa.

Color – By Christina Rossetti; Illustrated by Laetitia Devernay – Published March 8, 2022 – Creative Editions

The text of Christina Rossetti’s 19th century poem is supported by beautiful illustrations allowing young readers to learn colors alongside their adult.