Fiction Picture Books Category Description

Ah, fiction picture books. Their skinny spines create a kaleidoscope on bookshelves that is mesmerizing. On each shelf, you are likely to find the tall one next to the short one, the orange one next to a purple or green one, and sweet script cowering next to BIG BOLD TITLES. Fiction Picture Books are a show and tell art form. …

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 …

Interview with Chris Haughton

First off, congrats! We adored Shh! We Have a Plan! Can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea for the book? CH: Thanks so much! In all my books I try to think of a sort of theatrical ‘pantomime’ effect when you turn the page. It’s fun to read aloud. In this book I …

Review: Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me

Today we’re featuring Fiction Picture Book finalist Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me, by Daniel Beaty. Our review comes from panelist Carrie who blogs at Carrie On… Together!. Of the book, she wrote: The emotional resonance is greatly present in both art and text. It provides an eye opening view into the compassion and support of the characters and connects straight …

Review: Brimsby’s Hats

One of my favorite things about Fiction Picture Book panelist Dawn’s blog, My Thoughts Exactly, is her Friday Five roundup. Most Friday, she features a list of 5 books (or things) she’s been reading (and loving). And during Cybils season, those roundups are usually of the books she’s reading. She highlighted Fiction Picture Book finalist Brimsby’s Hats, by Andrew Prahin. Dawn …

Review: A Piece of Cake

Today’s review comes from librarian, speaker, and author Kristen Remenar. who is also a first round Fiction Picture book panelist. She recently reviewed nominee A Piece of Cake by LeUyen Pham. Every December I see lists of the best books of the year, and every year there’s at least one gem that I can’t believe isn’t getting more love. My choice this …

Review: You Are Not Small

Today’s review of fiction picture book nominee You Are Not Small by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant comes from long-time Cybils volunteer, Dawn. Dawn is one of the cohort of bloggers blogging at 5 Minutes for Mom, reviewing whatever crosses her path. She often does picture books. Of this nominee, she wrote: There’s much to like about this simple storybook, …

Review: Shh! We Have a Plan

Travis Jonker, Cybils veteran and elementary school librarian, knows his way around picture books. Of nominated fiction picture book  Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton, Travis writes: Admission: I’ve edited books on the fly. In a school library setting, the clock is king, and I’ve had to trim a sentence or paragraph when running out of time with …

Fiction Picture Books – Category Description

The category of Fiction Picture Books would appear clearcut: books that are fictional with pictures. Oh, but that simplicity is deceptive. The category contains titles for toddlers and third graders, funny stories and moving tales, history and fantasy, traditions and diversity, elegance and silliness, education and entertainment. An amazing conceptual range for books with typically 32 to 48 pages. All these types of books …