The Red Clover Book Award is designed for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Each year thousands of Vermont school children read the 10 nominated picture books and vote for their favorite in the spring. The award has been handed out annually since 1997.
Red Clover Book Award Committee Website
Find this year's nominees with links to book details, teaching resources, and related STEAM activities.
2024-2025 Award Year Information and Materials
Conference Videos Now Available
434 students and adults joined us for the Vermont Youth Book Awards virtual conference on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The conference was a celebration of readers and creators of children’s and young adult literature. Each session featured an author keynote and a presentation from a book award committee. NEW this year: an active and enthusiastic question flow from our audience which included many students.
Watch on our educational platform, Niche Academy: 2024 Red Clover Conference Videos
- Author Maria Gianferrari's video is available until November 19, 2024. She discussed how nature inspires her and the research/inspiration behind the 2023-2024 Red Clover Award winner, Bobcat Prowling, including a reading of the book. Maria’s books celebrate urban ecosystems and the natural world around us and honor our bonds with creatures both domestic and wild. Maria’s most recent titles include Being a Cat: A Tail of Curiosity, You and the Bowerbird, Thank a Farmer, Fungi Grow and To Dogs, With Love.
- Red Clover Book Award committee members led an exploration into the award nomination list, highlighting innovative and fun ways to promote and engage book award participation in schools and libraries.
2023-2024 Award Year Information and Materials
2022-2023 Award Year Information and Materials
Past Nominees and Winners
Publisher Submission Guidelines
Books to be considered by the Red Clover Book Award Committee are submitted by publishers. At least one copy of each title, which will be circulated to committee members, should be sent to:
Red Clover Book Award Committee
c/o Vermont Department of Libraries
60 Washington St., Suite 2
Barre, VT 05641
Books published in the current calendar year may be sent at any time during the year. However, sending books as soon as feasible makes it possible to give all books more careful consideration.
Publishers are invited to submit books that meet the following criteria:
- The book must have been published in the current calendar year. Reprints and compilations previously copyrighted are not eligible.
- The book must have been written by a living author.
- The book must be original or, if traditional in origin, the result of individual research. The retelling and reinterpretation must be the writer's own.
- Books written by a previous recipient of The Red Clover Book Award may be considered at the discretion of the committee.
- Books should have children as their intended audience and be appropriate for children in Kindergarten through 4th grade.