The Children's Book Council<https://www.cbcbooks.org/> (CBC) and HarperCollins Children's Books are proud to announce the annual Eloise Greenfield Children's Poetry Advocate of the Year Prize, to be announced each April for Poetry Month. This new annual award will recognize a librarian, teacher, bookseller, or literacy advocate who is supporting the reading of new and backlist books of children's poetry by Black poets. Librarians, teachers, and booksellers are being asked to nominate someone they know who is doing this vital work, and a select independent committee organized by the CBC will choose a winner and honorary mentions. Nominations are now open<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPOp8xfj9hZc5SRs04Pjvdr4sX44pPvDAXFzp0Rn9M-GuKdw/viewform> from Nov. 2 to Dec. 31, 2022. Nominate a colleague or someone in your community. The first winner will be announced in April 2023, with Eloise's daughter, Monica Greenfield, to present a $1,000 honorarium to the winner at a virtual event that month. HarperCollins will donate a selection of 100 children's poetry books and other children's titles to the school, library, or literacy organization of the winner's choice. About Eloise Greenfield and This Award Eloise Greenfield, an award-winning children's book author whose expressive poetry and prose illuminated the lives of Black people, died on August 5, 2021, in Washington, D.C. at the age of 92. In 48 books, she wrote about everyday subjects and historical figures (Paul Robeson, Rosa Parks, and Mary McLeod Bethune). In 2018, she was honored with the Coretta Scott King-Virginian Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement and was also the recipient of the 1997 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Carl Lennertz, CBC's Executive Director, said, "The children's book world lost too many beloved authors and illustrators in 2021, and we felt it was essential to honor Eloise Greenfield's contribution to poetry in a significant and lasting way." Nancy Inteli, Vice President and Publishing Director of The Harper Group, said, "We are honored to be collaborating with the CBC and Eloise's children, Steve and Monica, to create this vital award in Eloise's name. Eloise's indelible legacy will continue to be an example for future generations of advocates for Black poets and underrepresented voices, to push boundaries and inspire young people with their words." Steve and Monica Greenfield said, "Our mother would be gratified to know that her work is being honored in this way, and that this award will provide inspiration and support to future writers and advocates. We would like to thank The Children's Book Council and HarperCollins Children's Books." Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmail2.mcls.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fmiyouth&data=02%7C01%7CNorrisS2%40michigan.gov%7Caf51448f1e92415533aa08d6f4b53328%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C636965456410852648&sdata=nModcBWFyzGoDGK%2FtwsSeAXV%2F85AQKEtzzQQj%2FV%2B5fM%3D&reserved=0> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.