The Red Clover Award promotes the reading and discussion of the best of contemporary picture books in
nearly all of Vermont's elementary schools. Each year over 20,000 K-4 students read, or have read to
them, the ten nominated books.
An educator resource guide contains program guidelines and activities. Many activities in the guide are
based on the Vermont Framework of Standards and provide dynamic and thoughtful learning experiences for
children. Extending the discussions and activities will help to address even more.
How are the nominees selected each year?
How can my school or library participate in the program?
What's the history of the Red Clover Award?
What are the past winners and nominees?
Where can I get Red Clover items such as program sets?
What have teachers and students said about the Red Clover Award Program?
How are the nominees selected each year?
The Red Clover Award nominees are selected by a committee comprised of Vermont teachers, librarians
and sponsors. The committee reviews all picture books published in the prior year.
The list of nominees is published each March. Here are the book selection criteria:
- The book must have been published in the prior year.
- The award is for the entire book-text and illustrations.
- Both the author and illustrator must be living at the time of the selection.
- Only one title by the same combination of author and illustrator may be chosen in a given year.
- The books must be appropriate, in the aggregate, for a range of children in grades K-4.
- Both fiction and non-fiction are eligible.
How can my school or library participate in the program?
Vermont schools with students in kindergarten through fourth grade, public libraries and students who are
homeschooled may all participate by ordering the Educator Resource Guide, which contains the guidelines
and materials.
If you are not in Vermont, you may still participate in the program. Contact us at.
Red Clover Award Program
Vermont Center for the Book and
Mother Goose Programs™
P.O. Box 423, 136 Main St.
Chester, VT 05143, USA
Contact:
Nancy Merrill or
Wendy Martin
There is no need to register. The public or school librarian or a designated teacher may conduct the
program for an entire community or school, or a teacher may do the program for his or her classroom
only if the rest of the school is not participating.
Here is the program timeline:
- The nominees (books published in the previous year) are announced in March.
- The Educator Resource Guide is published after May 15 each year.
- The teacher/librarian conference takes place in the fall, with the winning author/illustrator invited to attend.
- Students begin to read and discuss the nominees.
- Votes are due in April, with the winner announced later that month.
What's the history of the Red Clover Award?
The Red Clover Award was created in 1995 by Vermont's Windham County Reads, a non-profit literacy organization
dedicated to bringing families and books together.
Conceived by Eileen Christelow and named for Vermont's state flower by Jessie Haas, this children's choice
award was designed to help young children experience the unique genius of the picture book and develop a
lasting appreciation for excellence in writing and illustration.
The Eyes of Gray Wolf, written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, was the award winner
during the program's initial year in Windham County, Vermont, and the program quickly went statewide under
the leadership of Mother Goose Programs.
What are the past winners and nominees?
Past winners:
2009:
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend
Watt, Melanie
2008:
2007:
The Great Fuzz Frenzy
Stevens, Janet and Susan Stevens Crummel
2006:
Knuffle Bunny
Willems, Mo
2005:
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Willems, Mo
2004:
I Stink!
McMullan, Kate and Jim
2003:
Baloney (Henry P.)
Scieszka, Jon
2002:
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Cronin, Doreen
2001:
Bark, George
Feiffer, Jules
2000:
10 Minutes till Bedtime
Rathmann, Peggy
1999:
1998:
1997:
Piggie Pie!
Palatini, Margie
Where can I get Red Clover items such as program sets?
Coming Soon
What have teachers and students said about the Red Clover Award Program?
"The best part about the books is exposing students to different genres, multi-age grouping and sharing of
books, and connecting books to the outside world."
"My students are always excited to show their parents what they've done pertaining to the Red Clover books
each year-and they can't wait till it's their turn to bring the books home!"
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