Nominate Your Favorite Independent Bookstore for the Pannell Award!

* Nominate Your Favorite Bookstore for a Pannell Award *

Deadline February 19

Since 1983, the Women's National Book Association has awarded one of the most prestigious honors in children's bookselling. Given annually at BookExpo America's Children's Book and Author Breakfast, the WNBA Pannell Award recognizes bookstores that enhance their communities by bringing exceptional creativity to foster a love of reading and books among their patrons.

Every year a panel of publishing professionals selects two winners of the award: one general bookstore and one children's specialty bookstore. Nominations come from customers, sales reps, store personnel, or anyone who has been impressed with the work of a particular independent bookstore.

There are two easy ways to nominate a bookstore for the Pannell Award.

1. Complete the Online Nomination Form

2. Email PannellAward@gmail.com and include the following:

Name, email address, and phone number of person making the nomination

That person's connection to the nominated bookstore

A brief statement outlining the reasons for nominating the bookstore

Contact information for the owner/manager of the nominated bookstore

Nominations must be received by February 19, 2016.

Each of the two winners will receive a $1,000 check and a framed signed original piece of art by a children's book illustrator during a presentation at the BEA/ABA Children's Book and Author Breakfast, which draws more than 1,000 attendees.

Along with WNBA, Penguin Young Readers Group co-sponsors the award, which was established in honor of Lucile Micheels Pannell, founding member of one of the WNBA chapters.

Download the press release.

Founded in 1917, WNBA is a national organization of women and men who promote the value to the written word by championing the role of women in the book community and by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about book lovers and professionals.