What are you doing this Monday morning? Us? Oh, we’re “March-ing Fourth” with reviews for the 2023 CYBILS Awards finalists and winner in the Fiction Picture Book Category. From “lovely,” “beautiful,” and “powerful” to “funny,” “hilarious,” and “extra outlandish,” our judges not only share their thoughts, but give you some inside scoop on what their kiddos thought, too! Go on …
Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 2.5.2024
Lions and tigers and cats, oh my. Sorry, we couldn’t resist. But it’s true. Today’s roundup has those three creatures. But there’s more! This list of 2023-nominated books includes include stories of family, friendship, feelings, and, well … see for yourself. And have a FANTASTIC Monday. Book cover and summary excerpt from Goodreads. Click to see more details and reviews. …
Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.29.2024
This week? Books for all your senses. With a nod to nature: a textured board book (watch out for the cactus) to things we cannot see (hold onto your hat, there’s a breeze today) to where colors come from! And a nod to creativity, ingenuity, and family: There are makers and artists, a party planner, birthdays to celebrate, and some …
Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.22.2024
What do we have this Monday? Lots of questions, mistaken identities, extraordinary animal award winners, an enchanted forest, a tall tale, and oh, a skunk for Valentines Day! Summary excerpted from Goodreads. Click book cover to see full summary and more reviews. Board Book Brooke @ Goodreads – A board book introduction to space that has a simple section (which rhymes) …
Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 1.8.24
It’s time to get back to the books … the #CYBILS2023 books, that is. We’ve introduced the finalists for each of the categories. Truth is, they are a small portion of the books that readers nominated and believe are CYBILS worthy. So we’re going to keep going. If a reader nominated it and a (round 1) judge wrote a review, …
Wee Ones Wednesday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.27.2023
Hint: According to our reviewers, young kiddos are going to be captivated by – and draw a lot from – the illustrations in these two picture books. Be prepared to read these again and again, as these books will engage young readers in similar, yet unique ways. Firehouse Rainbow explores colors, but it also gives young readers a day-in-the-life look at …
Wee Ones Wednesday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.20.2023
Chris Van Allsburg said it better than we ever could … “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” Plus, it’s a “seasonal” quote that perfectly illustrates the concepts behind this week’s featured picture books. Have You Seen My Sock? is all about that sock that inexplicably goes missing. In Invisible Things …
Nonfiction Tuesday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.12.2023
Happy National Gingerbread House Day and Gingerbread Decorating Day! Before you head over to the icing table, we hope you’ll check out this week’s featured nonfiction selections. Meet Mahani, an acclaimed concert pianist who learned to play on Rapa Nui (Easter Island’s) only piano. Then head to the Pacific Northwest to learn about the endangered Southern Resident orcas. And last, …
Wee Ones Wednesday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.6.2023
Can I tell you a secret? One of my favorite things as a new mom was watching my daughter play with books. If there was a flap to be lifted, a sound to make, something to touch, a silly word … she was on it, and usually giggling. Which leads us to this week’s picks. Both of these books are “built” …
Nonfiction Tuesday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.5.2023
Are we late for celebrating Native American heritage? We don’t think so. Here at the CYBILS Awards, we think every day is an opportunity to honor and recognize the life experiences of others and, by extension, learn from those stories. Today’s selections in corporate history, innovation, athletes, activists, and indigenous culture through biography and hands-on learning. Does it feel like …