When I was a kid, my favorite book was Harold and the Purple Crayon. I loved the idea that, with enough imagination, one could create their own magical world, just by thinking it so. Picture books serve an important role in early childhood development. They promote early literacy and language development and provide a special opportunity for children and their caregivers to spend quality time together.
The folks at the Indiana State Library’s Center for the Book think these books are important, too. The Indiana Center for the Book program, an affiliate of the Library of Congress’s program of the same name, sponsors events and serves as an information resource at the state and local level promoting reading, writing, literacy, and the literary heritage of the state.
Each year, the Center for the Book grants the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award to one outstanding children’s book. Now in its sixth year, the Firefly Award aims to encourage caregivers and young children to enjoy exceptional picture books with each other. Past winners include There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher and Noisy Night by Mac Barnett.
How the award process works
Youth librarians from across the state send in their nominations to the Center. The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee, comprised of Indiana librarians, caregivers, and program coordinators involved in early childhood development, then selects five titles to be finalists for the award. Finally, children five years and younger are encouraged to vote for one of the five nominated titles, and the title with the most votes is that year’s winner.
This year’s nominees
Written by Atinuke and illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
“Baby’s brother is getting ready to take a basket of bananas all the way to Baba’s bungalow. What about his little baby sister? Will she come along for the adventure too?”
Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by David Roberts
“A page turns every time you blink, bringing you closer to the end of the book–and bedtime– Win the staring contest and you don’t have to go to bed! An interactive bedtime story that gives young readers a chance to avoid bedtime, provided they don’t blink, but for every blink, a page turns, bringing the end of the story and sleep closer.”
Written by Jane Clarke and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
“When Florence is lost, she has to decide which bright lights in the night sky are home.”
By Nancy Raines Day and Allison Black
“Through illustrations and simple, rhyming text a pirate invites the reader to help as he selects his very colorful outfit.”
By Cori Doerrfield
“A person dealing with grief or depression often needs someone who will just sit quiet and listen.”
Find out more
Check out the Firefly Award webpage at https://www.in.gov/library/firefly.htm. There, you will find information on past nominees and winners, as well as activities related to this year’s stories for your child to do at home.
You can also view recordings of each of this year’s nominees being read by a librarian and decide which is your choice for #1!
The winner of the 2020 Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award will be announced in July.
Please note: Book descriptions were taken from Worldcat.org
Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Jody Kendall
Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern
Hello, Miss Katherine here! I lead our Jump Start program aimed at babies and toddlers, and Miss Anne leads our Smart Start program aimed at preschoolers. This summer, we are launching Exploration Stations.
