Norman Didn’t Do It!: (Yes, He Did) written and illustrated by Ryan Higgins is the 2024 Arkansas Diamond Primary Award Winner.
The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award was established by the Arkansas Elementary School Council in 1998 to encourage reading for students in Grades K-3. The name of the award reflects that Arkansas is the only diamond producing state.
Reading Selection & Awards Process
Titles are selected by the reading committee per established guidelines. Anyone interested in serving on the reading committee can contact Ruth Hyatt at ruth.hyatt@ade.arkansas.gov for more information.
The committee is supported by volunteer readers. Any adult resident in Arkansas can become a volunteer reader. Students in grades 4-12 can get parental permission to become volunteer readers. Students may earn volunteer hours as a volunteer reader.
The committee is supported by volunteer readers. Any adult resident in Arkansas can become a volunteer reader. Students in grades 4-12 can get parental permission to become volunteer readers. Students may earn volunteer hours as a volunteer reader.
The Arkansas Diamond Award winner is selected by an annual vote. Children in Grades K-3 may vote for one title. Student voting takes place in May each year.
Voting
The award committees responded to many concerns on the part of school librarians who can’t afford to purchase enough books for students to have access to a minimum of three books over the award cycle. The goal is to give as many students as possible the chance to participate in the voting process. Previously, if they didn’t have access to three of the nominees during the school year, then they were denied the opportunity to vote. Now, if your student has only had the chance or made the choice to read or be read only one of the titles on the nominations list, and they love it, they may cast their vote for it. If they have had a chance to experience more than one title, they must choose their favorite and cast a single vote for that title.
Students at participating schools are encouraged to read the books on the Nominees list, and teachers and library media specialists to select some titles to read aloud in class.
Due to the age group involved, the reading committee suggests that teachers and media specialists devise a plan to help children to vote on books that are read to children. Teachers may read all of the books to the children over a condensed period and then have the children vote. Books can be read to the children over an extended period of time, but a review the books read may be necessary before voting, as young children may forget books read at the beginning of the year.
For more information about the program, contact:
- Ruth Hyatt
- Library Coordinator, Youth Services
- ruth.hyatt@ade.arkansas.gov or (501) 682-2860.
