Vermont Author Receives Correll Early Literacy Book Award

Nationally known children’s book author and illustrator Gail Gibbons recently received the first annual Correll Book Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Informational Text, a new national award created through the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development.

Gibbons, of Vermont, has written, illustrated and published more than 170 nonfiction, informational books for children. Her recognitions include the Washington Post’s Children’s Book Guild Award. Gibbons was the keynote speaker at the second annual Early Literacy Conference, “Growing Up Knowing, building children’s world knowledge through literacy,” at UMaine on April 28.

The Correll Book Award is a result of a gift to the College of Education and Human Development from the Correll family, which shares a deep commitment to the importance of early childhood literacy. Ada Lee Correll formerly taught in the Old Town school system. A gift from the Corrells, now living in Georgia, established a professorship and programs to help advance early childhood literacy in Maine and the nation. Susan Bennett-Armistead, professor of early literacy education and the A.D.

Pete and Ada Lee Correll Professor at UMaine, says studies have shown a correlation between children’s literacy skills and knowledge of the world.

Contact: Susan Bennett-Armistead, (207) 521-4686