Cybils

Great Publishing Panelists, Batman

2009-06-18T21:59:03-07:00

Our Cybils panelists and judges are bloggers and teachers, librarians and, yes, writers--some of whom have books coming out this summer. Here are just a few--and if we've missed anyone, feel free to leave a note in the comments!

June 9: Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis (Finding Wonderland) - Sci-Fi/Fantasy judging panelist

June 9: The Old Blue Pickup Truck by Candice Ransom (Ellsworth's Journal) - Non-Fiction Picture Books judging panelist

June 30: Children's Literature Gems: Choosing and Using Them in Your Library Career by Betsy Bird (A Fuse #8 Production) - Graphic Novels nominating panelist

August 4: Hush, Baby Ghostling! by Andrea Beaty (Three Silly Chicks) - Non-Fiction Picture Books judging panelist

September 8: Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty

September 17: Dreamdark: Silksinger by Laini Taylor (Grow Wings) - Sci-Fi/Fantasy nominating panelist

Cybils on Top 100 Poetry Blogs!

2009-05-29T09:56:40-07:00

The Cybils have gotten another nod of recognition--we've made it to the list of Top 100 Poetry Blogs published by Online University Reviews! Their comprehensive list includes blogs by or about poets, blogs promoting poetry for children, and video/audio poetry blogs.

It's an excellent resource, and we're proud to be in such illustrious company. We're in the section listing sites about poetry for children, and we're doubly jazzed to be accompanied by three Cybils bloggers whose individual blogs made the list: Easy Readers panelists Andi Jazmon (A Wrung Sponge) and Susan Thomsen (Chicken Spaghetti) as well as Poetry judge Gregory K. Pincus (GottaBook). Congrats all around!

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

BEA and Bloggers, Perfect Together

2009-05-25T14:36:42-07:00

Going to BEA? Lucky duck. Cybils and the KidLitosphere will be ably represented there by Pam Coughlin and Sheila Ruth. Here's some info Sheila sent into me about their fabulous presence there:

Pam Coughlan and I are participating in a "Blogger signing" thing (like an author autographing session, except for bloggers) at the booth of the company responsible for NetGalley, and we'll certainly be promoting the KidLitosphere and Cybils in addition to our own blogs.

If anyone would like to find out more about the Cybils and the Kidlitosphere, they can stop by and talk to us on Sunday the 31st at 11 AM at booth #4077. Here's the link:

Follow The Reader

Thanks,
Sheila

Thank you! Be sure to stop by if you're going and see our celebrity kidlitospherians.

Enjoy,
Anne the Editor

New Blog Announcement: Booklights

2009-04-28T13:13:04-07:00

I am happy to announce the launch of a new children's book blog from PBS Parents, Booklights. Pam Coughlan (MotherReader), Susan Kusel (Wizards Wireless), and I (Jen Robinson) will be working with Gina Montefusco from PBS, along with various guest contributors, to bring literacy and reading content to the PBS Parents audience. The goal of Booklights, in line with the goals that Susan, Pam, and I have for our personal blogs, is to help people to inspire a love of reading in children. (Well, Susan and I have that stated goal - click here to see Pam's more entertaining response.)

Currently we're in "soft launch" mode, which means that PBS won't be announcing the blog anywhere until next week. But we wanted to let you, our Cybils blog-reading friends, know about it now. We have some early introductory posts and lists of favorite picture books now available. And I suspect that a list of Cybils winners would make a good post sometime soon, don't you?

Anyway, I hope that you'll check out the new blog, and that you'll consider adding it to your regular blog reading. Thanks!

-- Jen Robinson, Cybils Literacy Evangelist

The Amazing Gregory K.

2009-04-05T00:20:12-07:00

Crap! I totally forgot to publicize Gotta Book's poetry blitz. That was SO on my list of things to do for this month. I'm such a bad virtual friend. Actually, since I've met Gotta Book's Gregory K. in person, I'm a bad friend, period. I hope he still loves us and comes back to judge again next year (gulp).

Here's the deal: for the entire month of April, that being this here month we're in right now, he's lined up a new poet every day. It's called 30 Poets/30 Days and it ROCKS. All are original compositions in honor of Nat'l Poetry Month.

Jack Prelutsky's already got a poem up. Jane Yolen is promising one later in the month. Where else can you see children's literary history being made?

What are you still doing here? Get thee to Gotta Book!

--Anne the Editor

Cybils bookmarks

2009-03-21T20:37:07-07:00

We have gorgeous bookmarks in house. They list all the 2008 Cybils winners and contact info for Kelly and myself, plus of course our website URL.

If you'd like me to send you an envelope of 30-40 or so, email me your name and address at anne (at) bookbuds (dot) net.

I'll send more if you want. I ordered 5,000 this year! If you're going to a conference, I'd be especially grateful if you took a bunch. They're also perfect for leaving in cafes and libraries. Why, there's no end to the possibilities ...

Update: The response has been terrific. I'm sorry I can't get back to you all individually via email, but you will all get envelopes stuffed with bookmarks.

Oh, and if you run out at any time of the year, let me know if you want more. If there really is a run on them, I can always order more.

Major Cybils Media Mention! W00t!

2009-03-18T12:33:10-07:00

The Cybils is hitting the big time, guys.

Well, really, I suppose it's a Cybils winner who's hitting the big time. Suzanne Collins, author of YA Fantasy & Science Fiction winner The Hunger Games, will be adapting her novel into a screenplay. In the press release announcing the acquisition deal is a synopsis of the novel and the accolades it's received...and guess who's listed first, BEFORE all the other awards?

Yup, little ol' us. Go check it out.

--Sarah Stevenson, deputy editor

RIF strikes again

2009-03-09T18:42:22-07:00

Carol Rasco at Reading Is Fundamental features the cover of another Cybils winner. This week it's our Best Poetry book, Naomi Shihab Nye's "Honeybee."

Not Just Another Blog

2009-03-06T14:59:13-07:00

If you haven't yet visited Just One More Book, the online home of Non-Fiction Picture Books judging panelist Andrea Ross, then you're missing out on a fabulous resource. On JOMB, Andrea and her co-blogger Mark Blevis post podcasts three times a week, discussing children's books and interviewing authors. I'm not sure there's any other kidlitosphere site quite like it.

In recent months, Andrea and Mark have posted a few podcasts relating to Cybils authors or titles. You might have heard the fantastic interview they snagged with Cybils Sci-Fi/Fantasy winner Neil Gaiman, talking about his Newbery win for The Graveyard Book, blogging and Twittering. If not, go click that link and listen!

Another recent podcast found the JOMB crew discussing Nic Bishop Frogs, the Non-Fiction Picture Books winner for this year. And, just this week, they took a look at NFPB finalist Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy. For these and a myriad of other excellent podcasts, go visit Just One More Book!

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

Kidlitosphere Resources

2009-03-04T11:22:28-07:00

Ever wished you could find a list of kidlitosphere blogs all in one place, but didn't know where to find such a wondrous item? Well, look no more, because there are no fewer than FOUR (and probably more...) fabulous collections of kidlit links to help take you on a tour of children's and YA literature from the perspective of writers, readers, librarians, parents, editors, and more.

The one that absolutely everyone should check out is the more or less "official" home of the kidlitosphere, Kidlitosphere Central. Find out who the usual suspects are in the kidlit blog world--including most (if not all) of our Cybils panelists, access some excellent lists of blogs, and get your info about upcoming conferences and multi-blog events.

You probably already know about our own Anastasia Suen (Easy Readers Category Organizer) and her gigantor list of blogs, right? If you don't, go check it out--it's organized by category and is nothing short of exhaustive!

There are also blog rings and aggregators for those interested in the latest posts in the kidlitosphere. The best-known blog ring is probably the one at NearCircle.com--it requires signing up, but you'll get code for your own site and you'll be able to see the latest posts from those blogs which take part. Lastly, an impressive number of children's lit blogs--with up to five latest posts--are aggregated at Alltop, which we found thanks to Graphic Novels panelist Gina MarySol Ruiz of AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos.

Here's to finding what you're looking for!

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

Cybils love from Carol Rasco

2009-03-02T15:54:35-07:00

We're so pleased to have a friend in Carol Rasco, CEO of Reading is Fundamental. I have a lot of childhood memories wrapped up with RIF. They sent a bookmobile to a small park in my grandparents' Miami Beach neighborhood, where I spent many a happy summer. I'd come back with a sunburned nose because I couldn't take it out of a book long enough to notice it was frying. I mean, geez, my mother did insist I go outdoors ... what did she expect?

Carol is giving us a shout-out at her blog. She's posting the cover of a Cybils winner this week and next. First up is our Best Picture Book, Bob Graham's "How to Heal A Broken Wing."

Thanks so much, Carol.

Operation Teen Book Drop 2009

2009-03-02T08:51:11-07:00

What are you doing on April 16, 2009? Maybe celebrating the fact that tax day has come and gone...but once you're done with that, you might want to take part in Operation TBD 2009, in honor of Support Teen Literature Day.

As part of a group effort by readergirlz, GuysLitWire, YALSA, and publishers, teen patients in pediatric hospitals across the United States will receive 8,000 new books. Teens and YA authors can participate, too, by leaving a book in a public place on April 16th. Participants can download bookplates to insert into the books they'll leave behind--for printable bookplates, flyers, bookmarks, and more info, visit the readergirlz site.

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

Update: Here's the trailer.

One Last Reviews Roundup

2009-02-27T12:15:04-07:00

We really wanted to make sure that all of our winning titles were featured on the Cybils blog in some way--and we also wanted to plug just a few more of our wonderful, hardworking, blogging volunteers--so here's one last roundup of reviews of Cybils-winning titles that haven't yet been featured here on the main blog.

Fantasy and Sci-Fi category organizer Tasha Saecker reviewed FSF YA winner The Hunger Games, saying "this is a contender for the best science fiction for teens this year." Read her review here.
Our own Literacy Evangelist Jen Robinson reviewed Middle Grade Fiction winner The London Eye Mystery and MG/YA Non-Fiction winner The Year We Disappeared. Read the reviews here and here.
Mary Lee at A Year of Reading reviewed Fiction Picture Books winner How to Heal a Broken Wing: "This book is good for every age--preschool, elementary, adults. I can't really think of an audience that wouldn't appreciate it." Click here for the review.
David Elzey of The Excelsior File took a detailed look at YA Graphic Novels winner Emiko Superstar, citing "the strength of the voice and character" as a reason for its excellence. Read the review here.

Don't leave yet! Lastly, here's just one more tidbit of fabulous Cybils love that was sent our way by the author of Non-Fiction Picture Books winner Nic Bishop Frogs:

I just wanted to say how excited I was to see my book Nic Bishop Frogs as Cybils non-fiction picture book winner. And, of course, to pass on my thanks to all at Cybils, and the judges who took time to look through all the books... It's a great honor to be on the Cybils and to see non-fiction being promoted, and it is especially exciting for me to see the appreciation of photography in children's non-fiction.

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

Calling all interviewers

2009-02-27T10:05:08-07:00

If you were a panelist or judge this year, would you like to do a Q&A with one of the winners? I'll try and set it all up with the publicists, but wanted to coordinate it centrally so we don't all step on each other's toes or have too much duplication.

Email me at anne (at) bookbuds (dot) net if you're interested. Let me know your first and second-choice author or illustrator.

Thanks,
Anne Levy

Cybils 2008 by the numbers

2009-02-25T00:32:00-07:00

My apologies to the Harper's Index.

Total number of nominated books: 843
Percent read by at least one panelist: 98
Percent read by at least two panelists: 92
Number of winning authors and illustrators: 15
Cost, in dollars, of Lanier Classic Fountain Pen for each winner: 65
Page views on opening day, Oct. 1st, 2008: 4,942
Page views on Jan. 2nd, 2009 (our most-ever): 5,346
Total page views, as of this writing: 301,356
Average page views per day: 350
Technorati ranking, as of this writing: 12,134

Updated Cybils Flyer Includes Winning Books

2009-02-23T10:57:11-07:00

The final version of our printer-friendly flyer is here! In convenient, compact form, this document lists all of our 2008 shortlisted titles (without blurbs), and includes the winners in boldface type at the top of each category list.

As before, the front page of the flyer includes a description of what the Cybils are all about, nomination instructions, important dates, and contact information. Just click on the graphic at right to download the flyer, or click the link in the sidebar (.PDF format, 489KB). Requires Adobe Reader.

--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor

More Cybils Fanfare

2009-02-19T12:26:06-07:00

The Cybils team has, of course, been thrilled at the Cybils-themed graphics that we received from Mo Willems and from the Rapunzel's Revenge team of Shannon and Dean Hale and Nathan Hale (see the images in the posts below). But we are equally thrilled by these other author and media responses to the Cybils:

The Cybils award was mentioned in a positive light in this School Library Journal article by Debra Lau Whelan about self-censorship (in the context of awards received by last year's YA winner, Boy Toy). Thanks to Gail Gauthier for the link.

Shortly before the winners were announced, I had a lovely email from Helen Frost, author of middle grade fiction shortlist title Diamond Willow. Helen said: "I am amazed and delighted that Diamond Willow is a Cybils finalist, and so impressed with the quality and depth of the conversation about my book and others. Thank you so much for honoring our books in this way."

As soon as the winners were announced, School Library Journal reported on the winners in an article by Rocco Staino. He said: "Nothing warms a librarian’s heart more than another book award list, and on Valentine’s Day kid lit bloggers announced the winners of the Cybils".

Middle Grade Fantasy winner Neil Gaiman wrote on his blog: "The Graveyard Book won a Cybil Award -- which is the children's book award from the blogging community. I was thrilled. All of the Cybil nominees and winners looked good this year, and I'm proud to be among them, and congratulations to everyone involved."

Cylin Busby, co-author with her father John Busby of The Year We Disappeared, wrote about winning the Cybils award for middle grade/YA nonfiction, saying: "Went to the "Kids Heart Authors" event at our local indie this morning (Skylight Books in Los Feliz). And when we got home, there were tons of emails in my inbox saying "Congrats!" and whatnot. So I thought, "wow, folks are getting pretty excited about this CBS show tonight, but it's not like we won an award or something...." oops. We DID win an award. A Cybils Award!"

E. Lockhart wrote: "I am so so pleased that The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks won a Cybils Award for best young adult novel!"

And we had lovely mentions from Paul at Omnivoracious ("These blogger literary awards definitely succeed in identifying the organic chicken nuggets of the kid-lit world"), sassmonkey from BlogHer "The Cybils are one of the most fun book awards out there ... It's a grassroots as an award can be and it's utterly fantastic.", and Carol Rasco's RIF blog ("Check out this year’s winners as well as the process for Cybils and be prepared to nominate your favorites in October 2009!").

The Cybils winners were also covered by too many children's and young adult book blogs to mention. Thank you all for helping to spread and share our joy in this year's winners! -- Jen Robinson, Literacy Evangelist

More Graphic Cybils Love

2009-02-19T10:21:40-07:00

Jack and Rapunzel of Cybils GN winner Rapunzel's Revenge--aka Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale--have graced us with not just a fabulous page of comics ALL ABOUT US (click the comic to view larger), but have also said we're their favorite awards. Hooray! Looks like we're all in a celebratin' mood. Thanks, Shannon, Dean, and Nathan!

Belated Dedication

2009-02-16T04:29:00-07:00

I was in such a frantic rush to edit the winners' list and get it posted that I never wrote a dedication. I decided to post it somewhat belatedly, if you all don't mind.

I thought about dedicating this year's awards to our hard-working judges in both rounds. Geez, you guys were paddling upstream this Cybils season, what with all the books that didn't arrive. I judged in Round 2 for the fantasy list and I still haven't gotten a single review copy out of 11 books. Thank goodness for the public librarian/goddess who helped me round up what I needed.

But then I thought, geez, our friends in publishing are really hurting this year. If you've been blogging for any length of time, you know the first-tier publicity staff tends to last in their jobs about as long as it takes to update your email address book. But the recession is affecting people at every level. Check out this list of the casualties.

We can hardly blame them for vanishing into the ether without ordering our review copies first. I've been laid off repeatedly from journalism jobs and can tell you that it never gets any easier.

So this year's Cybils is dedicated to our friends in publishing who are more likely to be combing Careerbuilders.com than this site right now. We haven't forgotten the great job you did cultivating authors and illustrators, shepherding their manuscripts through production and bringing the final, glorious book to our attention.

Whatever this crazy recession brings, we hope you muddle through and emerge, phoenix-like, with new jobs and new lists and a renewed zeal for your craft.

Anne Levy, Cybils editor

It looks like we made somebody very happy ...

2009-02-15T19:59:10-07:00

Thanks to Mo Willems, the winner in our Easy Reader category. We're sending the love back atcha, Mo!