Northshire, A Likely Story 2006 Pannell Winners

This year's winners of the Lucile Micheels Pannell Award for Excellence in Children's Bookselling, announced by the Women's National Book Association (WNBA) on May 8, are Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, in the general bookstore category and A Likely Story Children's Bookstore in Alexandria, Virginia, in the children's specialty category. Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, won an honorable mention in the general store category.

The Pannell Award, established in 1981, recognizes retail bookstores that excel at creatively bringing books and children together and inspiring children's interest in books and reading.

"The winners this year are both well-established stores -- Northshire is 30 years old and A Likely Story is more than 20 -- but both have re-invented themselves over time to respond to the changing needs and interests of their communities," said Eileen Hanning, WNBA Pannell Award Chair. "The stores ... were chosen because their day-to-day practices are truly dedicated to the needs of young readers and their families. In addition, both stores take handselling so seriously they have training materials or programs to cultivate this essential art."

This is the second Pannell win for A Likely Story, which was honored for the first time in 1988. In announcing the award, the WNBA noted that the Pannell jury found A Likely Story "to be a model of energy, enthusiasm, and business sense. With a staff of just seven people (and one dog), A Likely Story conducts seven storytimes a week, including a Chapter By Chapter storytime, distinct storytimes for children under and over two, and foreign language and musical storytimes. They conduct summer camps for readers of all ages and interests, snow day specials, and family nights."

In the general store category, Northshire Bookstore impressed the jury with "its store-wide commitment to all readers.... Both the physical layout of their children's section --occupying the entire sunlit second floor of the store -- and the warm and enthusiastic welcome teens receive in the store's cafe -- to meet, study, or hang out -- demonstrate how much Northshire values young readers."

The Pannell jury noted that Northshire's regular programming includes after-school children's programs, grandparents' night, and ongoing crafts, storytimes, book groups, and poetry slams.

Like Northshire, Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, is also 30 years old. The jury awarded Changing Hands an honorable mention for their especially distinctive work with teen readers and with the Phoenix Zoo, as well as for their remarkably community-minded philosophy.

The Awards will be presented at BookExpo America in Washington, D.C. at the Children's Book and Author Breakfast on Friday, May 19. The breakfast is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association-Children's Book Council Joint Committee, the Association of Booksellers for Children, and BookExpo America. Both winners will receive a check for $1,000 and a framed piece of original art created by a children's book illustrator. This year's art was contributed by artists Marla Frazee and Graeme Base.

Northshire's owners, Ed and Barbara Morrow, will also be honored at ABA's Friday Celebration of Bookselling at BEA, on May 19, as the recipient of this year's Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year Award.