This year’s winners of the Women’s National Book Association Pannell Awards are: Book Beat in Oak Park, Mich., and Monkey See, Monkey Do...Children’s Bookstore in Clarence, N.Y. The stores won in, respectively, the general bookstore and children’s specialty store categories.
The jury of five book industry professionals singled out Book Beat’s “passion and true understanding of children’s books and young readers.” They also cited its children’s and YA services, programs, and events, including its celebration of International Peace Day in local schools.
Monkey See, Monkey Do was singled out for its innovative approaches to getting kids engaged with reading; its book clubs, reading, writing, and craft programs; and its summer camps serving 300 children. The jury commented on its “spirit of entrepreneurship, looking for ways to make money not just from book sales.”
The award is underwritten by a gift from Penguin Young Readers Group. Winners will receive a $1,000 check and a framed piece of art donated by Jenni Desmond, from Red Cat, Blue Cat (Blue Apple, Sept.), and George Ford, from Bright Eyes, Brown Skin (Just Us Books, 1990).
