Selections from the TBA website:
"The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was established in 1979 to encourage Texas children to read more books, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favorite books. The award process provides librarians, teachers, parents, and writers with insight into young students' reading preferences. It further affords an opportunity to honor and encourage imaginative authors who create books with high appeal to children."
"Participating students must read a minimum of five books from the current master list before they may vote for their favorite title. Teachers and parents are encouraged to read some of the books aloud. The author of the book receiving the most votes statewide is declared the winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award. At the TLA annual conference, ten children, selected randomly, who participated in the reading and voting present the author with the Bluebonnet Award."
At Fern Bluff, the current year Bluebonnet books are shelved on the decorated Bluebonnet display. Additionally on the lower portion of the spine of each book is the Bluebonnet nomination sticker. The nomination year is noted at the bottom of the sticker.
Voting occurs in January, followed by the TLA conference, typically in April.
The Bluebonnet Reading List can be accessed from the Reading Lists page. Be sure to look on the Bluebonnet Home Page for reader's theater scripts adapted rom the bluebonnet books! Enjoy!