The Red Clover Award program began in 1995 and was created by Windham County Reads, a non-profit literacy organization dedicated to bringing families and books together. The program is a children's choice picture book award "designed to foster awareness, understanding and appreciation of the picture book." Ten picture books are nominated each year, children around the state then vote for their favorite.

Celebrating its 52nd year, The Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) book award began in 1957 and recognizes excellency in children's literature. Each year a committee selects 30 of the years best books for children in grades 4-8. To be eligible to vote, the students must read at least 5 books from the list.