WNBA Issues Call for Pannell Award Nominations

The Women’s National Book Association is seeking nominations of general and children’s specialty stores for its 2013 WNBA Pannell Awards. Presented annually at BookExpo America’s Children’s Book and Author Breakfast, the Pannell awards honor bookstores that enhance their communities by employing exceptional creativity to foster a love of reading in their young patrons.

Nominations may be submitted in a newly simplified process by customers, sales reps, store personnel, or anyone who has been impressed with the work of an independent bookstore.

Electronic nominations can be sent to PannellAward@gmail.com and should include the following:

• Name, e-mail address, and phone number of the person making the nomination
• That person’s connection to the nominated store
• A brief statement outlining the reasons that store is being nominated
• Contact information for the owner/manager of the nominated store

The nomination deadline is January 15, 2013.

Nominated stores will then be asked to electronically submit by March 20, 2013, a description of activities, goals, and any other contributions to the local community that involve young people and books. Photos, media coverage, letters from customers, or other materials that portray the degree of a store’s contribution can be included in the submission.

The Pannell jurors will choose one specialty store and one general bookstore as the 2013 award winners by late April. Each of the winners will receive a $1,000 check and a framed signed original piece of art by a children’s illustrator.