Beginning next month, librarians, teachers, and booksellers will have an opportunity to recognize one of their own for supporting Black-authored children’s poetry, in honor of a writer who specialized in this genre. The first-ever Eloise Greenfield Children’s Poetry Advocate Prize, created by the Children’s Book Council and HarperCollins Children’s Books, will be issued next April during National Poetry Month, with plans to name new recipients each spring.
The idea for this annual award came about as a means of paying tribute to Greenfield, following her death last year. “The children’s book world lost too many beloved authors and illustrators in 2021, and we felt it was essential to honor Eloise Greenfield’s contribution to poetry in a significant and lasting way,” said CBC executive director Carl Lennertz. The author of 48 children’s books, who chronicled the lives of Paul Robeson, Rosa Parks, and Mary McLeod Bethune, among other historical Black figures, Greenfield was the recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement in 2018 and the 1997 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children.
Passionate About Poetry
On November 7, the CBC will email a nomination form to 15,000 teachers, librarians, and booksellers, asking them to describe their candidate’s efforts in promoting new and backlist books of children’s poetry by Black authors. These may consist of in-person or virtual readings, blog posts, book displays, or any other form of literary advocacy. “We will also ask those in publishing to nominate a teacher, librarian, and bookseller who they’ve learned is doing this work,” Lennertz told PW, adding that self-nominations are also welcome.
Submissions will be accepted through December 31, and an independent committee (organized by the CBC) will choose a winner and honorary mentions. In April, the author’s daughter, Monica Greenfield, will present the recipient with a $1,000 honorarium during a virtual event. “Our mother would be gratified to know that her work is being honored in this way, and that this award will provide inspiration and support to future writers and advocates,” Steve and Monica Greenfield said in a statement.
HarperCollins will also donate 100 children’s poetry books and other selected titles to the school, library, or literacy organization of the winner’s choice. “We are honored to be collaborating with the CBC and Eloise’s children, Steve and Monica, to create this vital award in Eloise’s name,” said Nancy Inteli, v-p and publishing director of the Harper Group. “Eloise’s indelible legacy will continue to be an example for future generations of advocates for Black poets and underrepresented voices, to push boundaries and inspire people with their words.”
