The 2024 CLCSC Awards Ceremony

The Children’s Literature Council of Southern California were proud to host our Annual Awards Ceremony at Luminarias on November 2, 2024. It was an inspiring gathering that highlighted all the incredible talent in children’s literature within our community in the last year. It was heartwarming to see so many passionate people come together to celebrate the stories that help young readers find themselves, explore new worlds, and grow into their best selves.

(Below are quotes from the winners’ acceptance speeches, I’ve got their permission for us to use them however we’d like!)

“It took me 25 years to create this book, and I finished it just in time.”

-Marla Frazee on sharing her latest picture book with her father

“It became my mission to fill books with positive representations of neurodivergent characters”

-Sally J. Pla

“It’s so important for people like me to see themselves in books, and for other people to see us as well.”

-Tracy Badua 

“Southern California is a place full of dreamers… Within these pages I’m trying to build bridges between cultures, between joy & pain.”

-Abdi Nazemian

“I can make the books but without people reading them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

-Dan Santat 

“We are trying to be the change that schools need. We believe representation matters 365 days a year.”

-Stephanie Moran Reed, MiJa books 

“We are more than just our trauma.”

-Muammar Reed, MiJa books

“There are some who bring so much light to the world that even when they’re gone, the light remains,”

-Jay Gill, son of Caroline Gill

We are thrilled and thankful that our kid lit community — creators, librarians, educators, volunteers, influencers, booksellers, devoted fans — all came together to make this day so special. Your support and enthusiasm emphasize the collective spirit we share for nurturing young minds through meaningful stories. 

Thanks to Luminarias, Once Upon a Time Bookstore, and photographer Josh Steichmann for their continuing support of our annual event. Our gratitude goes out to our silent auction sponsors: CVS, Mitchell Kamarck, and A Noise Within.

Application to join the CLCSC Board of Directors: https://bit.ly/clc23apply

If you attended the event and wish to share photos or comments with us, please email them to awardsceremonychair@childrensliteraturecouncil.org. Please include a description of each photo submitted. By submitting your images, you agree to allow CLCSC to share them on our website and social media channels. Check back on this page for any additions to our gallery.

Corrections/clarifications to captions may be emailed to websitemanager@childrensliteraturecouncil.org.