Anne here, your Cybils Overlord. I'm leaving you for a while. Oh, it's nothing you all did, except make this here literary awards into something really amazing and prestigious and fun. That kept me busy. Too busy, I'm sorry to say. I am changing careers and readying for my new job, which starts next week. Inspired by the teachers, authors, …
Two More Giants Gone
We've lost so many giants of children's literature this year, with Maurice Sendak, Leo Dillon, Ellen Levine, Jean Craighead George, and likely more passing in just these last few months. Recently two more salwarts of young literature joined them. The Little Bear books are the very first books I can remember reading all by myself. There was something cozy and …
Cybils Staff Publishing News!
Our own Gina Ruiz, former Cybils Social Media Guru and MG/YA Nonfiction category organizer, tipped us off to some most excellent news: she has a short story included in the newly-released (for grown-ups) anthology ¡Ban This! The BSP Anthology of Xican@ Literature. Gina says, "I am completely blown away to be in a book with Luis Urrea and Rodolfo Acuna," …
Download and Print Your 2011 Cybils Flyer!
Hey, it's me, Sarah, aka Aquafortis at Finding Wonderland. I'm back as your blog editor for this year's Cybils contest–I had to take a break last year because I had a novel eligible in the YA category, but since my next book isn't out until 2013, I happily accepted the invitation to return as blog editor in the meantime. You …
Be Book Smart and Help RIF
Here at the Cybils, we love RIF! They put books into the hands of children who need them, and encourage the spread of literacy and love of reading. In fact, the Cybils and RIF go way back: RIF's CEO Carol Rasco, AKA Rasco from RIF, has been a Cybils judge. Cybils panelists were encouraged this year to donate review copies …
Farewell, Jean Craighead George
Exactly a week after the loss of Maurice Sendak, the children's book world has suffered another loss with the passing of Jean Craighead George. George wrote over 100 books and inspired generations of young adult readers with a love of nature. I still remember reading My Side of the Mountain as a child. I thought it sounded like a grand …
Two Cybils judges get a promotion
Congrats to Travis Jonkers of 100 Scope Notes and John Schumaker of Mr. Schu Reads for winning a berth on an ALA judging committee. Travis moves up from judging Fiction Picture Books with us to the fancy-shmancy Caldecotts this coming year and John, a former Graphic Novel judge, goes over to the Newberys. Full announcement is here. Naturally, we take …
One blogger’s experience
Thanks so much to Miss K at Devour Books for describing her experience as a first-round Cybils judge. I think I'm going to send a link to her post for all judging applicants. It gives a nice overview of the work involved, but also the rewards. Though, on a side note, we can never promise a load of books — …
Some Cybils love
From indie author Susan Ee, who wrote "Angelfall," the first digital-born book to make our finalists.
Awww …
Mo Willems sometimes does a little doodle when he wins a Cybils. Here's his latest. Is this total cuteness or what?