REVIEW: Louisiana’s Song by Kerry Madden

If I post at Bildungsroman about a series, you can bet you’ll read the phrase, "Read the books in order," followed by a list of titles. Louisiana’s Song by Kerry Madden is the second book in a trilogy about a big family growing up in North Carolina. Unlike many middle books in trilogies, this book can stand on its own …

Hey, fence sitters, time to make up your minds!

Nominations close at midnight Chicago time on Wednesday, Nov. 21. I know some of you have been waiting until the 11th hour … well, that’s like any second now, okay? I won’t actually be up at midnight tomorrow, but I’ll delete any nominations that come in after deadline. I hate, hate, hate being a grouch, it really doesn’t suit my …

Snowflake auctions–tell us if you ended up bidding

Hey, who you calling a flake? For those who’ve been following the phenomenon of Robert’s Snow, the auction begins today. Jules and Eisha have the round-up of all the different artists who donated their talents to decorating a snowflake, with links to the bloggers who profiled them. There’s also a list on this blog (right column, scroll down a bit), …

REVIEW: Laika by Nick Abadzis

Former teacher, radio DJ, theatre manager, and general jack-of-all-trades David Elzey (maybe that should be "David-of-all-trades") describes his blog, the excelsior file, as "children’s literature, reviews, thoughts, commentary, and whatever else fits the bill." His blog is definitely eclectic. You’ll find contributions to Poetry Friday, comments on picture books, interviews, and sneak peeks at graphic novels, such as his recent …

More fame for the 7-Imp duo

In my other life, I’m the freelance editor for the Poetry Foundation’s children’s Web page. It’s my great pleasure to announce that two of Cybils’ organizers, Jules and Eisha, have an article suggesting which poems to sneak into your kid’s lunch box. Besides the usual holidays, you’ll find poems for losing a tooth, pop quizzes, fights with best friends … …

REVIEW: Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems

Have you met Pam Coughlin, better known as MotherReader? If not, you’re missing one of the funniest, most over-the-top writers in the kidlit blogging world. A librarian and Mommy from Virginia, her annual 48-hour book challenge keeps scores of bloggers bleary-eyed while reading and reviewing — and then reading each others’ reviews. In September, she asks everyone for their favorite …

A note to publishers

First, we’d like to thank all the publishers who have sent review copies so far. Books are streaming in to our panelists, who aren’t wasting a precious second of their all-too-brief reading period. Some of the smaller publishers have said they cannot make review copies available, so panelists are hunting down copies in local libraries. That’s cool. Thanks for letting …

REVIEW: The Periodic Table: Elements With Style by Adrian Dingle

Alas, Tricia from The Miss Rumphius Effect didn’t win a Weblog award (see this post here) but we’re still awed she was a finalist. She recently reviewed a science book that’s, well, elementary, but she also gives us some personal glimpses into why it’s more than just another book to her: My friends call me a closet nerd. Well, let …

Poll: How or Why Do You Nominate?

New poll topic: When nominating a title, are you quick to pick something or are you carefully weighing your options? Are you waiting to see what others nominate so that you can nominate something that others overlooked? Do you first consider a book’s quality, its audience, its ending, or its message? Leave your comments below! –Little Willow, YA outreach henchwoman

Just One More Andrea!!

If it weren’t for Andrea Ross, we’d have a wee bit more difficulty calling ourselves an international contest. She’s Canadian (please, no "eh" jokes) and she’s a panelist on our non-fiction picture books committee. Those fine bloggers at 7-Imp have profiled her today, and reveals why she started every kidlit bloggers’ favorite podcast: I’m crazy about kids’ books, Mark’s crazy …