Kelly Fineman, our hardworking category organizer for Poetry this year, posts her thoughts about poetry, children's writing, and other kidlit topics on her blog, Writing and Ruminating. A poet herself, she is, of course, a regular participant in Poetry Friday. During one of her Poetry Friday posts, she featured all kinds of books featuring bird-related poetry, including one of this …
More Author Love for the Cybils
Earlier this month, we shared some lovely feedback from authors happy to see their books on the Cybils shortlists. Here is some additional author joy: Bonny Becker (A Visitor for Bear) emailed: "HOORAY!! HOORAY!! HOORAY!! What an honor. All the nominees in fiction picture books are wonderful. Thanks to all the reviewers–not an easy job." Lenore Look (Alvin Ho: Allergic to …
REVIEW
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Oh, those wonderful 7-Imps! Jules and Eisha of Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast have some of the coolest interviews and most in-depth reviews around. I know I speak for many of us around the kidlitosphere in saying that I feel like they're my blogging soul sisters; moreover, they've been an integral part of the Cybils from way back when in …
Updated Cybils Flyer!
We've updated our double-sided Cybils flyer with the 2008 shortlists, so you can get the latest information out to your nearest libraries, schools, bookstores and eager readers. As always, we thank you all for your help in spreading the word! As before, the front page of the flyer includes a description of what the Cybils are all about, nomination instructions, …
True Confessions of an ex-English Major
Okay, this is completely off-topic for this blog, and my apologies if it strikes anyone as inappropriate. I just wanted to share a weird dream I had last night … In it, I'm in an apartment in DC (I've never lived there, ever) and I'm with Barack Obama. He's wearing only a towel. Those pecs! Wow. I'm, uh, similarly clad. …
REVIEW
Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
If you haven't yet visited The Reading Tub, where Easy Readers panelist Terry Doherty is a blogger, then you're missing out on a wealth of reviews, interviews, and extensive book lists organized by age, reading level, and topic–including books for fans of Harry Potter. There's something for every young reader, from babies to teens. One of our Cybils finalists in …
A Cybils panelist recaps her experience
I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to Stephanie Ford, who wrapped up her duties as a panelist in fiction picture books recently. She blogged about what went on behind the scenes, which I found fascinating and fun. We're all about transparency here, so thanks, Stephanie, for parting the curtains for us. –Anne Levy, Editor
Blog Award: Premios Dardo
I've never heard of the Premios Dardo award, but Cybils has won one. Many thanks to Pam at MotherReader for this fine honor, which “acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.” We feel very smart now. -Anne Levy, Editor
REVIEW
Chiggers by Hope Larson
You might remember Stacy Dillon from past years on the Cybils, but you also might be familiar with her blog, Welcome to My Tweendom, where she posts about books for kids and young adults, or Booktopia, where she recommends all sorts of books. This year, she's on the judging panel for the Graphic Novels category. One of Stacy's reviews on …
REVIEW
Nic Bishop Frogs
Fiona Bayrock is not only our fabulous category organizer for Non-Fiction Picture Books, she's also a bit of an authority on the subject, being a writer herself of science books for kids and author of the upcoming Bubble Homes and Fish Farts (doesn't the title alone just make you want to rush out and buy it?). She reviews books and …