First off, congrats! Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for Nickel Bay Nick? DP: Thanks for your kind words of congratulations! My inspiration for NICKEL BAY NICK was actually two-fold: First — the protagonist in my story, Sam Brattle, is 11-years old, but at the age of four, he’d had a heart transplant. For years I had been …
List Fun: Young Adult High Fantasy
Game of Thrones returns to television this week, and in celebration, here’s a list for those who can’t get enough high fantasy. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997) defines high fantasy as “Fantasies set in Otherworlds, specifically Secondary Worlds, and which deal with matters affecting the destiny of those worlds.” In essence, high fantasy stories are set in fully imaginary worlds …
Interview with J. Patrick Lewis and George Ella Lyon
First off, congrats! Voices from the March on Washington is fantastic! Can you tell us how you got the idea for this book? JPL: All credit goes to George Ella. When we first met at the Redlands (CA) conference a couple of years ago, I suggested to her that we might do a book together. She sweetly agreed and suggested the theme of …
List Fun: Ten Cybils Poetry Books That I Love
It’s always a challenge to select just one CYBILS Poetry book as the winner. Here are ten CYBILS finalists I love. Check them out for National Poetry Month. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, written and illustrated by Adam Rex (finalist 2006): This was one hilarious poetry book for the first year of the CYBILS. The kids at my school check this book out …
Interview with Candace Fleming
First off, congrats! We were all quite excited that The Family Romanov won. Can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea for this book? CF: Thanks for the congrats, Melissa. I’m completely thrilled about The Family Romanov’s Cybils win. I’m also thrilled to be here talking about the book. To explain where the idea …
List Fun: Fun and Funny Fantasy Read Alouds for the Whole Family
Family story time is a special time and if, like me, you have a wide span of years between your kids, finding a book that will satisfy all those young minds and hearts can be a challenge. Here are some books that combine fun adventure and humor sure to appeal and entertain everyone from the youngest kids able to listen …
Interview with Cece Bell
First off, congrats! El Deafo is a fantastic graphic novel. Can you tell us a bit about how this book came to be? CB: Thanks so much. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the book! And let me give you a big thank-you for this award. It means a LOT to me. I’ve been off Twitter for a while and have …
List Fun: Kid-Friendly Biographies
As a panelist, we always discuss all books on their merits both literary and kid appeal. Sometimes, librarians find picture book biographies to be a tough sell. Not me! I am fortunate in my school to have the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing classroom, special education, and special area teachers. The third grade team at my school has created …
Interview with Maxwell Eaton III
First off, congratulations! Okay, Andy! is an adorable book. How did you come up with the idea for it? ME: Thanks so much! About four years ago I sketched a 32 page picture book about a slightly menacing curmudgeon of an alligator named Andy and an irrepressible raccoon of the same name. I loved the characters but the book was …
List Fun: Read Aloud Fiction Picture Books
Whether you’re snuggled up with your own kids, or you’re seated in the “teacher chair” for a group story time, if you want a lively read aloud experience, you look for picture books that encourage children to think, to notice, and, quite often, to laugh. Here are book suggestions from the Cybils archives. Too Many Toys written and illustrated by David …