Iowa Connections

October 01, 2005

Sharron L. McElmeel, a Cedar Rapids based literacy advocate and founder of McBookwords, has been named to the 2007 Randolph A. Caldecott Award Committee by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association.

The ALSC is responsible for selecting the annual recipient for the prestigious Randolph A. Caldecott Award, which is given for the most distinguished illustrated book for children. Books considered for the award in 2007 must be published in 2006, and must be illustrated by an American illustrator and published in the United States.

McElmeel's committee work will begin in January 2006, and will conclude with the award ceremony June 21-27 at the 2007 American Library Association's Convention in Washington, D.C.

McElmeel is also an online instructor in University of Wisconsin-Stout’s School of Education where she teaches Children's Literature and Young Adult Literature.  She is the author of numerous books about authors and illustrators of books for young readers. Her most recent book, titled Authors in the Kitchen: Recipes, Stories, and More (Libraries Unlimited, 2005), features 50 favorite children's authors and illustrators, and recipes connected to their books and life, biographical details, photographs, book lists and reading connections.   Authors in the Pantry: Recipes, Stories, and More, a companion volume, will be released by Libraries Unlimited in 2006.

McElmeel will be speaking at the National Council of English Teachers in November.