February 2009 - Cybils Award Finalists

In February we discussed Cybils award finalists  To narrow things down (because as much as we'd like too, we couldn't discuss ALL the Cybil's finalists in one night), we decided to stick with books with illustrations so we selected the finalists for fiction picture books, non-fiction picture books, and graphic novels for early/middle grade readers. 

Here's the complete list:

Fiction Picture Book

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall Thin Tale by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix

Big Bad Bunny by Franny Billingsley, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Chester's Beck by Melanie Watt

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob GRaham

Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman

The Sea Serpent and Me by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Catia Chien

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady Denton

Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein, illustrated by Ed Young

Non-Fiction Picture Book

A River of Words: The story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy

Duel! Burr and Hamilton's Deadly War of Words by Dennis Brindell Fradin, illustrated by Larry Day

Fabulous Fishes by Susan Stockdale

Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop

Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Loved to Draw by Deborah Kogan Ray

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter

Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Chiggers by Hope Larson

Into the Volcano by Don Wood

Jellaby, Vol. 1 by Kean Soo

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

The Savage by David Almond, illustrated by Dave McKean

There's a Wolf at the Door: Five Classic Tales by Zoe Alley, illustrated by R.W. Alley

Don't be too overwhelmed, they are all quick reads.

We were surprised by some of the actual winners.  Were you?

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

Oh Underneath, people have such nice things to say about you, and yet, I can't seem to finish you!  On first attempt I only lasted a few pages, but months later, after all the buzz from Mock Newbery contests, I made a second attempt.  I HAD to quit halfway through because you were so dark and depressing and you bored me to tears!

Oh yes, just as everyone says, your language is beautiful and lyrical, but you are about abused animals and a mean man without even an ounce of good in him.  I just could not take anymore.

And thus we must part ways.  It's not you, it's me.  I mean, you are beloved by many; do I have bad taste?

Dear readers, have there been any books beloved by many that you just can't stand?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I want Jarrett Krosoczka to be my best friend

Jarrett Krosoczka, the author/illustrator of awesome books like Punk Farm, recently put together a video for a SCBWI presentation in NY.  If you love children's literature, you HAVE to watch it because you're sure to see a couple of your favorite author/illustrtors costarring and it will make you laugh.

BOOK BY BOOK: the making of a monkey man from Jarrett Krosoczka on Vimeo.

You can watch other funny videos by Jarrett here.  

Yep, now you pretty much want to be Jarrett's best friend too, don't you?