DRUMROLL PLEASE.... 2020 CYBILS Fiction Picture Book Finalists!

 

This was my sixth year serving as a Round One Cybils Award panelist, and it was a joyful experience in an otherwise heartbreaking year. I've volunteered each time because the organizers are brilliant and support the process, whether serving as a novice or an old hand. It's also a fun experience to work with some returning bloggers and meet others who are new to me in a given year. I love the fact that this award welcomes nominations from readers as well as from the authors and publishers, but each title is evaluated on its merits alone, as defined for its category. I've also appreciated the genuinely open and spirited discussions among us panelists. Our opinions vary widely, in a few cases, and yet respectful and careful listening are the hallmarks of the final decisions. What a welcome tone and temperament that provided for our task. Thank you to one and all who shared this experience, and I hope more bloggers/reviewers will consider volunteering next year. Fresh faces and voices are always welcome.

While the stroke of midnight last night marked the calendar page turn, allowing us to kick 2020 to the curb, it is the stroke of twelve NOON today that marks our first opportunity to celebrate the fabulous finalists in our categories. (That's noon ET, so 11:00 here in CT). The actual winners will be announced on February 14, so stay tuned to @CYBILSAwards on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook for the roll out of all categories, reviews of finalists, and the eventual winners on Valentines Day.

Now please help me applaud these outstanding  FICTION PICTURE BOOK FINALISTS from among more than TWO HUNDRED nominees. I'll continue to share reviews of many of the outstanding titles that aren't included in this small field, because they, too, are remarkable and worthy of everyone's attention. As one panelist indicated, there could have been TWENTY (or more) finalists chosen from such an impressive list of contenders. 

Without further ado, (DRUMROLL, please....) here are the Fiction Picture Book Finalists!

EACH AND EVERY ONE IS ALREADY A WINNER!

Covid note:  

This is it! 2020 is officially over, even though the pandemic continues raging globally. Vaccines are being administered, with more than one type approved and on the way. But the end of this long tunnel requires our focus and safe practices. Hold on. A year from now we can celebrate 2021 as the year in which the world was restored to a semblance of normal, leaving us more deeply aware of our vulnerability and our need to support each other in health and justice.