The Beginning:

It all began on a breezy summer morning at Jann Tankerley's home in 2001. She had invited some OEMA friends to discuss the possibilities of creating a Children's Choice Award for children in the state of Oregon. We mulled over the possibilities: What books should be considered, who should vote and what should the award be called. We thought about naming it after Beverly Cleary who has written books for the age that we were targeting. She had grown up in Oregon. Oh! Wouldn't it be wonderful if she would let us use her name. Jann promised to write to Beverly Cleary to see if she would agree. We agreed on a plan to get started.

At the Fall Conference in Seaside, Jann let us know that she had a letter from Beverly Cleary giving us permission to use her name for the first Children's Choice Award exclusively for Children in Oregon.

The Logo:

The first year we forged ahead without a logo and very little advertising. Jann pursued the idea of using an image that appeared on an ALA poster several years ago. After months with no result, Ellen Fader provided the connection needed and permission to use the logo was granted. With the help of Portland Graphic Artist, James Reynolds, the current logo was created.

Past Winners and nominees:

Nominees and past winners plus video reviews of the books for some years are still available. You can use the reviews to motivate your students to read the books or to demonstrate how to create book reviews themselves. Students read and wrote their own reviews with just a little help from Library Teachers at participating school. Thanks to VUVOX for hosting the videos.