Nominations of Outstanding Children's Booksellers Wanted

The Women's National Book Association (WNBA) has issued its annual call for nominations of outstanding U.S. bookstores in the field of children's literature. From the nominations, two bookstores -- one general bookstore and one specialty children's store -- will be selected as winners of the Lucile Micheels Pannell Awards to be presented at BookExpo America 2006.

WNBA is seeking nominations of bookstores that excel at creatively bringing books and children together and inspiring children's interest in books and reading. Each recipient receives a check for $1000, plus a framed piece of original art by a children's book illustrator.

Last year's winners were Reading Reptile Books and Toys for Young Mammals in Kansas City, Missouri, in the children's specialty category, and BookPeople in Austin, Texas, in the general bookstore category.

Established in 1981 and named for Lucile Micheels Pannell, an exemplary children's bookseller, the Pannell award was first given in 1983. The Award "recognizes retail bookstores who stimulate, promote, and encourage children's and young people's interest in books," according to Eileen Hanning, WNBA Pannell Chair.

Nominations should include the store's name, address, and phone number, the name of a contact person at the store and an e-mail address, as well as a brief statement explaining why the store is worthy of the award. The deadline for nominations is January 16, 2006. Nominations should be sent to Eileen Hanning at [email protected] or to Pannell Award Nomination, 5200 South 6th Place, Arlington, Virginia 22204.