Snow Wildsmith is a Youth Services Librarian and a judge in the Graphic Novel category. These judges are working double duty as they will be awarding two prizes–one for Graphic Novels intended for the 12 and under crowd, and one for Graphic Novels for teens. Snow blogs at Kiddie Lit and says she’s "a geek who likes comic books and …
Who do you think you are?
One question that has popped up here and there in response to the Cybils and the awards process is "who do you think you are? Mr. Bigstuff?" More specifically, people want to know what, exactly, makes kidlit bloggers qualified to judge children’s books. We’re not like those awarding the ALA prizes. Everyone knows who they are–librarians and other members of …
The countdown begins …
After today, only two weeks remain until the Big Day. Yep, we plan to announce winners right here in this very space on February 14. Think of it as a great, big, Valentine’s smooch for the winning authors and illustrators (and their fans). But for every winner, there will be fivefour, ah, runners-up. Honorees? I don’t know what we’ve decided …
Meet Jennifer
Today we meet Jennifer, who writes Snapshot. She’s a Mom to two kids, ages 8 and 2, but somehow still manages to find time to judge in the MG/YA Non-fiction category. She answered our questions for us: Q. When did you start blogging? A. March 2006 Q. Why do you blog? A. I first began my blog as a way …
Meet J.L. Bell
J.L. Bell is a writer and reader of fantasy literature, with a special fondness for L. Frank Baum of Oz fame. He is the editor of Oziana, creative magazine of the International Wizard of Oz Club, and an Assistant Regional Advisor in the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. A judge in the Fantasy and Science Fiction category, he …
Meet Jone Rush McCulloch
Jone Rush McCulloch blogs as MsMac at Check It Out. She’s a teacher librarian in a K-5 school and is serving as a judge for the Poetry category. In order to get better acquainted, we asked her a few questions. Q: How long have you been blogging, Jone? A: Since February 2006 Q: Why do you blog? A: I started …
Meet Kelly Fineman
Kelly Fineman is a judge for the Poetry category. She’s a children’s writer who blogs at Writing and Ruminating. On her blog, Kelly reviews books and talks about writing and life. To get to know her better we sent her a series of questions. Q: How long have you been blogging? A: Since May 11, 2005. Q: Why do you …
Meet Wendy Betts
Today’s Cybils Judge of the Day is Wendy E. Betts. Wendy runs the popular children’s literature blog, Blog from the Windowsill. She also writes and edits Notes from the Windowsill, an e-zine devoted to children’s books. Wendy is serving as a judge for the Poetry category. To get to know Wendy better, we asked her some questions. Q: How long …
Meet Tasha Saecker
We’d like to introduce you to Tasha Saecker, director of the Menasha Public Library in Menasha, WI. Tasha started her career as a children’s librarian, and continues to read mainly books for children and young adults. She’s been blogging at Kids Lit, one of the most well-respected blogs in the kidlitosphere, since August of 2003. Kids Lit is "a warm, …
Thanks, Franki!
Franki Sibberson weeded through 111 picture books to help us find the five best. She writes about her experience as a panelist at Choice Literacy and links to us here. Thanks for the nice press, Franki! We’re glad you enjoyed the experience. As a judge in this same category, I get to pick up where Franki left off. It’s great …