We are pleased to announce the shortlist titles for the annual English CLEL Bell Awards. Now in its 12th year, the English CLEL Bell Awards are an annual recognition of five high-quality children’s books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in children ages 0-5. The 2026 year features a diverse array of titles that celebrate the joy of early literacy, notably including more titles in durable board book format as well as titles that young children will enjoy as they grow.
CLEL is the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy organization made up of library and early childhood professionals from around North America dedicated to advancing early literacy through library services and community advocacy.
This shortlist of 25 CLEL Bell titles presents five top titles for each early literacy practice – READ, WRITE, TALK, SING and PLAY – which collectively encompass an engaging set of books that will support the varied needs and interests of children ages 0-5. These honored titles were carefully chosen from over 80 nominations put forward by our committee.
We encourage librarians, caregivers, and all children’s book lovers to VOTE for their favorites until January 31, 2026. The winners will be announced in mid February.
The Shortlist titles are:
READ
- Just One More Story by Perry Emerson, illustrated by Sean Julian; published Jan. 7, 2025, Tiger Tales; ISBN 9781664300538
- Let’s Be Bees by Shawn Harris; published Feb. 11, 2025, Neal Porter Books; ISBN 9780823457090
- My Mom Loves… Books! by Nancy Kers; published June 10, 2025, Clavis; ISBN 9798890631428
- Orson and the World’s Loudest Library by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson; published April 15, 2025, Astra Young Readers; ISBN 9781662602085
- So Many Books by Sue Fliess & Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo; published April 10, 2025, Albert Whitman & Co; ISBN 9780807532331
WRITE
- Angel Draws a Dinosaur by Pavonis Giron; published June 24, 2025, Henry Holt & Co; ISBN 9781250435668
- Don’t Draw in This Book by Bill Cotter; published Sept. 2, 2025, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; ISBN 9781464220715
- Oh No, Ojó! by Àlàbá Ònájìn; published July 15, 2025, Random House Studio; ISBN 9780593805725
- Sing Along with Me! Pat-a-Cake by Yu-hsuan Huang; published Nov. 4, 2025, Candlewick; ISBN 9781536241532
- Sidewalk Chalk by Jen Fier Jasinski, illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti; published Sept. 23, 2025, Gnome Road; ISBN 9781957655550
TALK
- I Can Say Moo! by Stephanie Cohen, illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott; April 1, 2025, Sourcebooks Explore; ISBN 9781728291581
- pêyak little duck: A counting book in Plains Cree and English by Sandra Lamouche, illustrated by Mando Littlechild; March 11, 2025, Orca Book Publishers; ISBN 9781459837171
- Thunderland by Maggie Edkins Willis; March 11, 2025, Viking Books for Young Readers; ISBN 9780593693292
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Signs: ASL That Babies & Toddlers Can Use by Eric Carle; July 15, 2025, World of Eric Carle; ISBN 9780593890202
- Whoa Panda! by C.S. Jennings; Aug. 12, 2025, Nancy Paulsen Books; ISBN 9780593324783
SING
- Abuelita’s Song by Gloria Amescua, illustrated by Mariyah Rahman; published May 20, 2025, Beach Lane Books; ISBN 9781665957519
- E-I-UFO: Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Zach von Zonk, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud; published March 4, 2025, Chronicle; ISBN 9781797223896
- Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock; published Aug. 19, 2025, Candlewick; ISBN 9781536242911
- On Our Way! What a Day! by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony; published Jan. 7, 2025, Nancy Paulsen; ISBN 9780593110751
- Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi; published March 18, 2025, Union Square Kids; ISBN 9781454960461
PLAY
- Catch! by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max; published May 6, 2025, Charlesbridge; ISBN 9781623546229
- Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! by Yuko Ohnari, illustrated by Koshiro Hata, translated by Emily Balistrieri; published March 4, 2025, Red Comet Press; ISBN 9781636551142
- Floor It! by Bex Tobin Fine, illustrated by Federico Fabiani; published Sept. 16, 2025, Random House Books for Young Readers; ISBN 9780593904992
- Let’s Rumble by Rachel G. Payne, illustrated by Jose Pimienta; published July 8, 2025, Rise x Penguin Workshop; ISBN 9780593750698
- Mama Hug by Emma Straub, illustrated by Stevie Lewis; published Jan. 7, 2025, Rocky Pond Books; ISBN 9780593618592
