Along with everything else, May is Jewish Heritage Month, and so we thought we’d highlight some of the many books by and about Jewish people that we’ve had nominated over the past few years. (I’m using the Sidney Taylor Award as a guide, in case you’d like a longer list of excellent Jewish books). Irena’s Children: Young Readers Edition; A …
Dear Author
Dear Author Friend, I’ve been sharing thoughts about serving as a CYBILS AWARDS Panelist volunteer in some recent letters to bloggers, librarians, and others who are deeply invested in quality books for young readers. I hope that some of those discussions are traveling among friends and colleagues in those groups. Thinking about those peer groups made me realize I was …
Dear Librarian
Dear Library Friend, I’m so was so excited to hear from you! When sharing thoughts about volunteering as a CYBILS AWARDS panelist with my Blogger Friend, I was hoping they might find their way to others. Library friends are the perfect target audience for these discussions since librarians are ALWAYS my best friends, my portal to the reading world that …
Dear Blogger (Part 2)
Dear Blogger Friend, I’m pleased that you understood the intent of my previous letter. I worried I might be sounding pushy, but I was simply reaching out to encourage possible interest. Your questions are great ones and I appreciate your interest in learning more about volunteering as a Cybils Awards panelist. If you’ve hesitated because you have questions about what …
Dear Blogger (Part 1)
<p Dear Blogger Friend, I am long overdue in thanking you for countless mornings of joy. Each day I open an e-window for my library-network HOLD portal, and another for my email. Then, with hot tea and biscotti on hand, I ignore all other inbox business to read your posts about books and their creators. I subscribe to dozens of …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: AAPI Heritage Month
May has a lot of “holidays”: Mother’s Day, May Day, Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo (and that’s just the first week!). But it’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and I thought we’d celebrate by highlighting (in a non-comprehensive list) some of the great books we’ve had by and about the AAPI experience. Watercress by Andrea Wang, …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Booklist: Environmental Picture Books
Earth Day was a couple of days ago, and so we thought a list featuring Environmental books for our youngest readers would be fitting. There are some beautiful books on here, and ones that will remind us that Mother Earth is worth taking care of. Enjoy! We Are Water Protectorsby Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela GoadeRoaring Brook Press 2020 CybilsFiction …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Booklist: Poetry!
It’s National Poetry Month, and what better way to celebrate than to share some of our favorite books! There are sooo many good poetry books for kids out there, that I think we’ll narrow it down first by sharing all the winners over the years that Poetry has been a category here at the Cybils Awards. To see the finalists …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Turn Up the Music
Welcome to the Cybils Awards off-season! We’ve had so much great response to our booklists that we are going run themed lists twice a month, made up of past Cybils nominees, finalists and winners. If you’d like to participate, email us a themed list of your favorite books to blogeditor@cybils.com. If you need help thinking of books check out our …
#CybilsAwards Book Lists: Celebrating the Black Experience for Younger Readers
Before we wrap things up completely and move off into the post-season, I wanted to give a shout-out to the books celebrating the Black Experience on the younger end of the reading age. We’ll be quiet for a bit, but then we’ll pick up with backlist lists. If you have any good theme suggestions, let us know! Baby Young, Gifted, …