Sherrill Cannon, P.J. Hartenaus Win 2014 Principals’ Award for Independently Published Children’s Literature

Branford, CT, October 03, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The 2014 Children’s Literature Independently Published Principals’ Awards (CLIPPA) have been announced. Sherrill S. Cannon of New Hope PA was selected as winner of the top award in the Grades K-2 category for her book Manner-Man. P.J. Hartenaus of Glen Ellyn, IL was chosen in the Grades 3-4 Category for her book, My Sometimes Pal.

The CLIPPA honors outstanding children’s books that offer fun, learning and creativity and were self-published by independent authors. Entries were judged by elementary school principals, educators and children’s authors for originality, learning quality and use of language standards.

The award-winning books were selected from 10 finalists – five in each category.

"Manner-Man" features a super hero who teaches children to share, be polite and make friends. He shows up to helps resolve conflicts, lays out “polite rules” for kids to follow and addresses bullying situations and ways to deal with them. The judges said: "A useful book for parents, teacher and kids."

"My Sometimes Pal," which was inspired by Hartenaus’ visit to the Belden School, an abandoned one-room schoolhouse built in 1859, teaches young readers about life in the late 1800s, while also addressing the topic of bullying. The judges said the offers “Good lessons about friendships, communication, family roles and standing up for yourself and your values."

Cannon is a retired teacher and author of six children’s book. Hartenaus is a fifth grade teacher at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Glen Ellyn, IL.

The winners will each receive a cash prize of $250, a consultation session on promoting self-published books with brand-builder Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, and 100 gold foil CLIPP award stickers for her books.

In addition, "Manner-Man" and "My Sometimes Pal" each will receive feature placement for a month on the Kabuki Helps website (kabukihelps.com). Kabuki Helps, sponsor of the awards, is an on-line book shop that represents a community of parents and teachers committed to making learning fun.

The judging committee comprised Susan Dillard Espiritu, principal of Pond Gap Elementary School in Knoxville, TN; Mary Beth Gaertner, principal of Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, TX; Jessica Johnson, elementary school principal, Dodgeland, WI; Gail Kinsey, principal of Fairfax Villa (VA) Elementary School; Jon Konen, principal of Lincoln Elementary School, Great Falls, MT; Eunice Lasala, retired teacher and children’s reading advocate, Branford, CT; and Jean Marzollo, educator and author of the award-winning I SPY children’s series.

For more information, visit www.clippaward.com.