November is PICTURE BOOK MONTH! 3...2....1... GO!

I mentioned in a recent post how honored I am to be serving on the Round One Panel for the annual Cybils Awards in the category of fiction picture books.
It's a responsibility that takes my commitment to promoting quality children's literature to a different level. Rather than just selectively shining my limited light on those titles that I find particularly valuable for various purposes and reasons, I've been carefully examining every single nominated title in this category. 

I fully expected to enjoy this process. 

Wow, "enjoy" is one heck of an understatement! I'm loving it!

I also expected to find myself drawn to some titles more than others, for a variety of reasons. 

Right again. I've found something to appreciate in each and every one of the 150+ books I've read and examined (so far). The count of books I read and considered carefully eventually rose to 250. Even so, some clearly rise above the rest in the quality of their stories, illustrations, book design, and overall appeal. 

November is Picture Book Month, so all month long I'll be posting notes and links about some of the books that particularly caught my eye. I've also been posting about them on my GOODREADS book lists, usually with a short review. Before reading my reviews here or there, or those of anyone else, please read the excellent thoughts of fellow panelist Carrie Charley Brown on the Writers' Rumpus Blog, here.

 It's important to note that my comments, ratings, and reviews reflect personal opinions and do not reflect the opinions or discussions of our panel.

Candlewick Press, 2015

So, ta-da! The first title I'll feature here is an irresistible story that is based on actual characters and events, and they are extraordinary. Almost unbelievable! 

Except they're true.

Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed, is written by Leslea Newman and illustrated (brilliantly!) by Amy June Bates. Here's what I had to say about Ketzel's story on Goodreads:

"This story is difficult to "cat"-egorize as fiction since it is based on actual events, an actual cat, an actual composer and an actual contest. The evocative and moody illustrations capture the urban streets, the comforting apartment interiors, and, most of all, the warm and loving personalities of the composer and the cat. It's a story with as many rich layers as a symphony, told with a lighthearted and loving touch. It also weaves insights about creativity and the universality of music across cultures (and species) throughout the story."

So, this is a great place to start following along on the process and discover incredible books to read, share, and recommend for yourselves. Even if you don't read the hundreds of titles we'll be reading, you won't want to miss this one.

Exciting News to Share: CYBILS Panelist for Fiction Picture Books!

And here it is:  the gorgeous logo for the CYBILS 2015 Children's and Young Adult Literary Awards.
For those not familiar with the CYBILS awards, you can learn about their mission, history, process, and ways to become involved from this page of the CYBILS website. (Here)

Ever since the awards began, I've nominated my own favorites in most categories, followed the process and progress of the many titles being evaluated, and read with excitement (and sometimes smug satisfaction) the eventual award winning titles.

This year I decided to take a leap and apply to serve on the Stage One panel of judges for fiction picture books. After all, the worst that could happen is they'd say "No, thank you." I'm not the sort who withers in the wake of rejection, and I'd be reading as many of the nominated titles as possible whether I was selected or not. 

In the fiction picture book category there are sometimes hundreds of titles nominated! Here's a link to the 2014 finalists in the category with additional links to the prior years. An amazing array of titles, right? Reading and narrowing down a huge list of wonderful titles to arrive at these must have been an overwhelming challenge. Hmmm... maybe not getting picked for that responsibility would be a good thing. That's what I told myself after clicking to submit my application.

So, are you ready for my news?  Please, please, please say "YES!" Oh, ready or not... 

I was selected for the 

ROUND ONE panel of judges!

Even though my pre-emptive rationalization/consolation if not selected was totally valid, I'm genuinely jazzed (and humbled and honored) to be included in the 2015 process. I received the news from the category chair, Terry Doherty (@readingtub, @thereadingtub, and her website: http://thereadingtub.com). 
I'll be sharing the panel responsibilities with bloggers April Crews (@writerindc and www.bookbuzz4kids.com), Hannah DeCamp (@hrdreads), Sondy Eklund (@sonderbooks, www.bookbuzz4kids.com), Maggi Rhode (@mama_librarian, www.mamalibrarian.org), Carrie Charley Brown (@carriebrowntx, Carry on...Together) and Jodell Sadler (http://www.sadlercreativeliterary.com).

When you click their sites (not if, WHEN) you'll see what amazing backgrounds, expertise, passion, and experience they bring to this process. To learn even more, the official CYBILS announcement about our category of judges is HERE. Take some time to check out the other categories, too, including the nonfiction picture books. 

Be sure to  nominate your own favorite titles in the categories you read and enjoy from October 1-15. The process is easy and it's a great way to send a shout out to books you love. Trust me, those of us on the panels will begin reading your nominations as soon as they roll in, and the earlier the better!

So, stay tuned, take part, and read along with us!