2025 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.
READ Shortlist
Go and Get with Rex
By David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka — May 7, 2024 — Candlewick
Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must go and get something that begins with a certain letter. It’s a rousing alphabetical exercise in thinking outside the box.
I Lived Inside a Whale
By Xin Li — February 20, 2024 — Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
This is a story of friendship and finding your own voice in a world that is “filled with too much of everything, everywhere.”
When You Love a Book
By Kaz Windness, illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee — May 21, 2024 — Flamingo Books
When You Love a Book is a poetic ode to readers and the way the stories we read as children have the ability to shape our lives forever. Includes nods to some of the most beloved children’s books of all time.
Words Are Magic!
By Zaila Avant-garde — January 2, 2024 — Random House Books for Young Readers
New readers will find joyful encouragement in this level 1 easy reader that sings out about the magic of words.
You Can Read to Me!
By Arin Gentry and Clare Crosh, illustrated by Kenyatta Davis — May 1, 2024 — Blue Manatee Press
A sweet, simple story featuring photographs of diverse families reading with their infants during the formative first months of life.
WRITE Shortlist
Between Two Windows
By Keisha Morris — January 2, 2024 — HarperCollins
Between two windows, Kayla and Mateo pass drawings of dinosaurs back and forth, back and forth, back and forth…until a story comes to life and the worlds of two friends come together.
Feel Calm
By Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller — October 1, 2024 — Chronicle Books
This hands-on board book leads toddlers on a whimsical and reassuring journey from chaos to calm.
A Garland of Henna
By Varsha Bajaj, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan – June 11, 2024 — Nancy Paulsen Books
Nikita is from a long line of henna artists. But the first time Nikita tries to make henna art, the mehndi paste looks like an ugly blob, and she feels like giving up.
Leo and the Pink Marker
By Mariyka Foster — May 21, 2024 — Peachtree
Leo LOVES doodling away with his pink marker! A splash of pink would look great on that crunched-up convertible, and that magnet crane… and the family cat. Uh-oh! Leo got carried away. Will his moms be upset?
A Letter to My Best Friend
By Yangsook Choi — July 9, 2024 — Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Fueled by wonderful memories of his former home, Jihun uses his creativity to craft a letter for his best friend, Oto. The result is nothing short of extraordinary and opens a door for Jihun to make new friends.
TALK Shortlist
Bye Land, Bye Sea
By Rene Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo — April 30, 2024 — Roaring Book Press
Two children from different backgrounds show that friendship has no language in this epic bilingual story about being lost and finding a friend who understands.
Chooch Helped
By Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz — October 8, 2024 — Levine Querido
This is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions.
¡Hola, cara! Hello, Face!
By Aya Khalil — April 2, 2024 — Barefoot Books
Hello, smiling face! From laughing to cooing, from sneezing to yawning, join baby in discovering what expressive eyes, noses, and mouths can do. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Kadooboo: A Silly South Indian Folktale
By Shruthi Rao, illustrated by Darshkia Varma — February 6, 2024 — Page Street Kids
Kadooboo! Golden brown, puffy, sweet, and crunchy, it’s fresh from the pan―a delicious treat! This modern retelling of a South Indian folktale is about friends, family, and food―the perfect recipe for a satisfying story time.
Monster Hands
By Karen Kane and Jonaz Mc Millan, illustrated by Dion MBD — May 7, 2024 — Nancy Paulsen Books
Two best friends use rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed in this fun, interactive bedtime readaloud.
SING Shortlist
Adela’s Mariachi Band
By Denise Vega, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina — August 13, 2024 — Charlesbridge
Adela wants to be in her family’s mariachi band, but nothing seems to fit quite right. Can she find a way to participate while trying out the fun instrument sounds?
The Belly Song
By Mother Moon, illustrated by Leah Giles — July 2, 2024 — little bee books
With a QR code link to a song, irresistible illustrations, and a powerful message of love, acceptance, and kindness to our bodies, this board book is a great gift for any growing library.
It’s Time to Hush and Say Good Night
By Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat — October 1, 2024 — Candlewick Press
Lull a little one to sleep with gentle rhyming verses and a mesmerizing swirl of imagery from the natural world, as a loving parent takes a child on a dreamlike journey.
No Bear Anywhere
By Leah Gilbert — May 14, 2024 — Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Bruin is determined to spot a bear on his walk. He makes up a song for his adventure and learns to deal with the disappointment of finding no bears anywhere.
This Land is a Lullaby
By Tonya Simpson, illustrated by Delreé Dumont — September 17, 2024 — Orca
Written as a lullaby for the author’s daughter and featuring striking pointillism artwork, this lush lullaby of the land honors the beauty of the Prairies and the Plains and the spiritual connection between Indigenous children, ancestors and their Traditional Territories.
PLAY Shortlist
Ahoy!
By Sophie Blackall – April 2, 2024 – Anne Schwartz Books
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure…all without leaving the living room!
All the Rocks We Love
By Lisa Varchol Perron and Taylor Perron, illustrated by David Scheirer — July 16, 2024 — Rise x Penguin Workshop
This book is an appreciation of their versatility and appeal, paired with the presentation of real types of rocks and their play-worthy attributes.
Gaga Mistake Day
By Emma Straub and Susan Straub, illustrated by Jessica Love — April 9, 2024 — Rocky Pond Books
Gaga days are the best! That’s when this eccentric, mischievous grandma babysits her delighted granddaughter. These Gaga days are always full of the silliest “mistakes,” like swapping eyeglasses and walking backwards to the park.
How We Play
By Dolisha Mitchell — April 23, 2024 — Little Feminist Press
Play is powerful! Whether it’s inside or outside, quiet or loud, alone or with friends—there are so many ways to play.
What Can a Mess Make?
By Bee Johnson — August 20, 2024 — Henry Holt and Company
Two sisters spend their day playing at home and leaving joyful, cozy messes in their wake.
