Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy has announced the 2025 CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards, an annual recognition of five high-quality picture books that provide excellent support for early literacy skills for young children. The five winning picture books exemplify the early literacy practices READ, WRITE, TALK, SING, and PLAY.
The 2025 CLEL Bell Award Winners are:
READ – When You Love a Book written by Kaz Windness, illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee, published by Flamingo Books.
WRITE – Between Two Windows by Keisha Morris, published by HarperCollins.
TALK – Bye Land, Bye Sea by René Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo, illustrated by Roaring Book Press.
SING – Adela’s Mariachi Band written by Denise Vega, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina, published by Charlesbridge.
PLAY – Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall, published by Anne Schwartz Books.
Learn more about the CLEL Bell Awards and explore the 2025 shortlist and past winners.
