WNBA Seeks Nominations for Pannell Award

The Women’s National Book Association is seeking nominations of bookstores for its 2014 WNBA Pannell Award. Presented annually at BookExpo America’s Children’s Book and Author Breakfast, the Pannell Award recognizes bookstores that enhance their communities by employing exceptional creativity in fostering a love of reading in their young patrons.

Two winners — a general bookstore and a children’s specialty store — are selected by a panel of publishing professionals. Store nominations can be submitted by customers, sales reps, store personnel, or anyone else who has been impressed with the work of a particular independent bookstore.

Nominations should be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] with the following information:

1. The name, e-mail address, and phone number of the person making the nomination
2. The nominator’s connection to the store (such as customer, owner, employee, publisher)
3. A brief statement outlining the reasons that the store is being nominated
4. Contact information for the owner/manager of the nominated store

Nominations are due by December 15, 2013, at which time WNBA will issue a press release providing the list of nominees. Nominated stores will then put together an electronic submission with a description of their activities, goals, and contributions to the local community that involve young people and books. Photos, media coverage, letters from customers, and anything else that transmits the degree of contribution can be included in the submission.

When their deliberations are complete, the Pannell jury will announce the winners. Each winner will receive a $1,000 check and a framed signed original piece of art by a children’s illustrator during a presentation at the BEA/ABA Children’s Book and Author Breakfast.

The WNBA Pannell Award  is co-sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group.