About the Charter Oak Children's Book Award

Purpose

• Encourage K-3 students to develop an appreciation of outstanding writing and illustrations in current picture books.

• Promote recognition of authors and illustrators of books for children.

• Develop critical/evaluative thinking skills by comparing/contrasting the literary quality of nominated titles.

• Prepare students for participation in the Nutmeg Book Award Program.

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Criteria

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• Nominated titles must be published within the last 2 years and preferably the book has not already won a national award at the time it is announced for COCBA nominating year.  The rationale is to highlight authors and illustrators of high quality works. Typically, once an author has been recognized as a nominee, the committee reserves the right to not select another book by the author.  Our hope is for participating schools to look for new works each year by the authors and illustrators who have been recognized as nominees. Our goal is that through participation in the COCBA program, students, librarians, and teachers are building their repertoire of authors and illustrators.

• Fiction nominated titles must be in a picture book format, possess a read aloud quality, strong literary value, and offer an interest and appeal to children in kindergarten through grade three.

• Nonfiction nominated titles should connect to content area curriculum and include back matter for further investigation.

• Nominated titles should be a nominated title for another state's consideration in order to foster conversations about books with students beyond the state of CT (optional requirement).

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History

​The Charter Oak Children's Book award was started by Library Media Specialist Jane Martellino in 2007.  Jane found a need in CT for a young children's book award to reach our youngest students in grades K-3 as the Nutmeg Book Award was geared slightly older.  Jane was able to fund and create the award as a special project and continued as Chair until retiring from Connecticut in 2021.  We continue her legacy and this worthwhile program in her honor, with 2025-2026 marking the 15th year for this program.  We have seen an increase in participation each year and had over 5,000 votes in 2024-2025! Visit the links above to sign up and also utilize the resources page to learn more about participating!

The COCBA Committee is responsible for choosing the nominated titles, locating and creating extension activities and resources and helping to coordinate partnerships with participating schools.  This award focuses on School Library involvement and collaboration with classroom teachers and students.

Publishers may submit titles in final or galley copy for review by contacting chairperson Christina O'Neill at the following email: charteroakchildrensbookaward@gmail.com

Committee

Our Committee is made up of a panel of Connecticut School Librarians. Click here to view their bios.