The winners of the 2014 Women's National Book Association's Pannell Awards, which recognize independent bookstores that "enhance their communities by bringing exceptional creativity to foster a love of reading in their young patrons," have been announced. Devaney Doak and Garrett Booksellers in Farmington, Maine received the award in the general bookstore category, while 4 Kids Books & Toys in Zionsville, Ind., was the winner of the children's specialty bookstore award.
The award, co-sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group, was established in 1983 and is given annually at BookExpo America's Children's Book and Author Breakfast. It comes with a $1,000 check and a piece of original art from a children's book illustrator.
The nominations, submitted by customers, sales reps, and personnel, are reviewed by a panel of judges. The Pannell Award jurors in 2014 were Cheryl Willis Hudson, v-p and editorial director of Just Us Books; Andrew Karre, editorial director of Carolrhoda, an imprint of the Lerner Publishing Group; Lisa von Drasek, curator of Children’s Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota; Emma D. Dryden, children’s editorial and publishing consultant; and Kelli Chipponeri, executive editor of children’s books at Chronicle Books.
“This year my selections were influenced by the bookstores that are the epicenters of their communities," said Chipponeri. "Outreach that these booksellers do, with little resources and support, makes them, not only cultural touch points for the people who shop at their stores, but promote reading, art, and education (as well as other ideas that feed the mind and soul) in communities.”
