Upcoming 2025 CLEL Bell Awards
The winners of the 2025 Awards will be announced in early February. The public is encouraged to read all the 2025 Shortlist titles and vote on their favorites until January 31, 2025.
Announcing the 2025 CLEL Bell Award Shortlist!
We are pleased to announce the shortlist titles for the annual CLEL Bell Awards. The 2025 year was historic in its submissions and nominations, seeing a diverse array of titles that meet our criteria and celebrate the joys of early childhood.
This shortlist of 25 titles, five for each early literacy practice – READ, WRITE, TALK, SING, and PLAY – was chosen from 122 nominations put forward by our committee.
The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite in each practice until January 31, 2025. The winners will be announced in early February.
View Current Nominations for the 2025 CLEL Bell Awards
Looking for great books that support early literacy? See Current Nominations some great titles to use in storytime and with young emerging readers.
Our Mission
In support of the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) mission to strengthen children’s literacy through library services and community advocacy, the Bell Awards will recognize children’s books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children ages 0-5, will serve as a collection development, program planning, and early literacy information resource for librarians, educators, and caregivers. It will also provide recognition to authors, illustrators, and publishers.
When Are the Awards Announced?
The winning titles for the CLEL Bell Awards are announced in early February.
Follow CLEL on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to the CLEL Member listserv for updates.
How Do We Choose?
The Selection Committee selects five winners annually from titles suggested by CLEL members and other early literacy advocates, including librarians, teachers, parents, and publishers.
Suggest a title for the committee to consider.
Only books published or distributed in the United States between November 16 of the previous year and November 15 of the current year are eligible for suggestion for the CLEL Bell Award.
Suggested titles that meet our selection criteria will be posted on our nomination page.
How Can I Get Involved?
A major goal of the CLEL Bell Awards is to promote professional conversation about excellent children’s books and to provide creative ideas for sharing titles with children and families in ways that support early literacy development. Your contribution to these conversations is a valuable part of the process. Here are a few ways to participate:
