Colorado Children’s Book Award (CCBA)

In 1975, Dr. Bill Curtis created the Colorado Children’s Book Award.  The award is sponsored by the Colorado Council of the International Reading Association.  The Council has stated that the main purpose of the award is “to encourage children’s active involvement with books and reading.”

St. Thomas More students join with thousands of other Colorado students each February to vote for their favorite out of 20 nominated books.  One chapter book and one picture book receive the award each year.  Our students accept this task with honor and responsibility.  They agree that in order to choose the best book of the year requires knowledge of all or most of the books.

It is very important to be actively engaged in the nominating process, as well.  Students read newly published books and choose their favorites to book talk.  Their nominations are displayed in the library.  All students are encouraged to read and write an endorsement of these nominations.  In February, we send in our top 15 book titles to nominate for the following year.  Students anxiously await the announcement of the nominees.