Take me out to the ballgame! Cybils supporter Annette Bay Pimentel, who blogs about picture books (as well as writing them), has put together another great list of Cybils titles for us. For kids who enjoy the crack of the bat, these books are sure to be a home run. Barbed Wire Baseball by Marissa Moss, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. …
List Fun: Diverse Cybils Picture Book Finalists
Having served on my first Cybils committee this year, I can attest that a great deal of thought, discussion, and debate goes into narrowing down the finalists to the eventual winner. This experience has made me realize that finalists and winners of any award should be considered on nearly-equal footing. This Top 10 list was created not only to honor …
List Fun: Diverse YA Speculative Fiction by Diverse Authors
At the Cybils Awards, we care a great deal about diversity in children’s books. We put great importance on finding and promoting books which meet our high standards and which have protagonists from under-represented groups. In addition to the importance of diverse characters, though, it’s equally important to find and recognize books written by voices from marginalized groups. Such books …
List Fun: Women in the Spotlight
Summerstock theater, blockbuster movies, dance camp, the circus. Summertime is the perfect time to perform in or watch a show. I’ve rounded up here some fascinating Cybils titles about great women performers who broke barriers and overcame obstacles for their moment in the spotlight. Pick one up to share with your kids before your next show. —Annette Bay Pimentel Ballet …
Interview with JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith
 First off, congrats! We adored Sidewalk Flowers. Can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea for the book? JL: Thank you so much! It was a thrill to find out that Sidewalk Flowers got the Cybils Fiction Picture Book Award! The idea for the book came from a walk I was taking with my …
List Fun: Cybils Books of Jewish Interest
As a synagogue librarian and Past President of the Association of Jewish Libraries, I am very happy that the diverse selections of the Cybils judges include quite a few books of Jewish content. By now we’ve all heard the “windows and mirrors” maxim, that authentic literature about any minority provides insight for outsiders and validation for members. Jews have a …
Interview with Kevin Sands
First off, congrats! We really loved The Blackthorn Key. Can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea?Thank you! I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the Cybils. The idea for The Blackthorn Key actually came during one of those times where I was specifically trying to think up new ideas (which almost never works). It …
List Fun: Ghost Stories for All Ages
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, stories that feature these ethereal characters are a creepy delight for readers of all ages. These ten books, selected from past Cybils nominees/finalists/winners, highlight the best tales about ghosts. Some of the ghosts are friends, others are foes; some stories are pretty funny while others are downright terrifying. There’s something for every reader! …
Interview with Victoria Jamieson
First off, congrats! We adored Roller Girl. Can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea for the book?Thank you, and thank you for the honor of a Cybils award! I am so thrilled and humbled by the support. Roller Girl was born out of my love of roller derby. If you know anyone who plays the …
List Fun: Math-Related Picture Books
Curated from past Cybils nominees and finalists, these ten picture books introduce a wide range of math-related concepts: from basic counting to using numbers to solve real-life problems. –Amy Johnson, Sunlit Pages Animal 123 by Britta Teckentrup (2012 Fiction Picture Books Nominee)Britta Teckentrup’s beautifully textured illustrations are a perfect introduction to numbers and the concept of adding one more. Using …