The Countdown to CYBILS AWARDS Announcements!

I took a short break from posting here for a much-needed connection with family, but I'm back in time to share some recommended titles that were nominees for CYBILS ELEMENTARY NONFICTION AWARDS, but missed the cut as finalists. Out of dozens and dozens of fantastic books, only a few make it that far, and then only ONE will be named the award-winner on FEBRUARY 14, just a few days away. I have never volunteered for this final phase, because I already struggle as a Round One panelist to narrow the field to seven titles, any one of which could well deserve the award. That final cut is just too painful for me to be a participant in the decision.

Even so, I will use my humble platform here to shine some light on picture books that I particularly enjoyed and believe you will, too.

These three titles celebrate the heroism and strength of women. All are nonfiction, and yet they employ a range of approaches very effectively and that suit each account perfectly. Each brings excitement and "AHA" reactions to what has been achieved by women with a purpose.

Clarion Books, 2021
Booklist starred review

It's easy to begin with a woman who was/is a wonder, in a book that will capture attention from readers of many ages and interests. A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything is written by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by  Katy Wu.  

This is a thorough examination of the comic hero WONDER WOMAN with thumbnail profiles of each of the actual folks who contributed to the creation and success of this iconic superhero. The scope of many decades involves many of these thumbnail spotlights, during which the idea for WW emerged, was executed and embraced by the comic-reading public, and then traveled a troubled course of diminishment, disinterest, and eventual recovery. The comic-illustration style and formatting suits it well and will add to the adventuresome experience of discovery of Wonder Woman's history.

Harry N. Abrams
Books for Young Readers, 2021

If you are interested in another "star-studded" superhero woman, look no further than The Stuff Between The Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe written by Sandra Nickel and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro. 

This is an appealing and accessible account of a curious girl who pursued her questions and dreams despite a repeated (and powerful) pattern of dismissiveness and outright rejection. Her persistence and pursuit of scientific explanations was not related to attention seeking or awards. I appreciated the way the author emphasized Rubin's particular obsession with investigating the topics and areas of study that were neglected by others. The lifelong feminist in me wants to gift this book to every young girl. I certainly agree with this review and others who sing the praises of this powerful book:

"Readers will be inspired by the vastness of the universe as they learn about Rubin’s discoveries." 
— School Library Journal

Finally (for today, but with more coming in the next several days) let's celebrate the quiet heroism of everyday people, especially women, who change lives on a daily basis. 

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021

Dear Librarian is written by Lydia M. Sigwarth and illustrated by Romina Galotta. 

We should never assume that ANYONE, at any time, who crosses our paths might not need us like a life boat in a storm. Even as we speak to them, offer a hand, or simply smile, the impact may not be visible or noteworthy. But such small gestures and acts of decency and kindness can be cumulative and compelling. In this case the author recounts the impact of a library (her safe and steady place in tumultuous times) and a librarian (a person who saw someone unique and worthy of her attention and time) who changed her life.

This is a heartwarming and important reminder of the role of public libraries in all lives, but especially for those in need of a true "home". 

I'll share more of these "winning" picture books in the next few days leading up to (and following) the CYBILS AWARDS category winner on Monday, Valentine's Day. I'm excited to see the result, but also excited to share these valuable picture books with you here. Be a hero today, or some day soon, and share one or all of them with a young reader you know and love! 

A Brief History of Time- and Stephen Hawking

Anyone reading this must be aware that the incredible life-force named Stephen Hawking ended recently. My reason for calling him a "life force" could be undeniably based on nothing more than the fact that he survived to the age of seventy-six, living fifty-five years with a diagnosis of ALS (at age twenty-one) that predicted his death within two years. Beyond that physical survival, though, what astonishes me (and everyone) is the boundless capacity of his mind to transcend the limitations of his body. Check out the profile picture on his website, here, capturing him mid-flight in a grin-inducing gravity-free adventure. 
His scientific insights, theories, and writings have transformed the field of astrophysics and will continue to do so for generations to come. It's no exaggeration to say that Stephen Hawking deserves accolades for a level of genius comparable to that of Einstein. If reading his long-time best-selling A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME feels too daunting, try reading any of the GEORGE titles in the series co-written by Lucy and Stephen Hawking for younger readers. The titles feel, to me, like a literary equivalent of the "Big Bang" in the sense that they will be launching a universe of future physicists. Stephen and his daughter Lucy, a theoretical physicist and educator, have made enigmatic and mind-boggling theories not only fathomable but exciting and inspiring.

Charlesbridge, 2010

Which leads me to a picture book that manages to transform Hawking's BIG BANG truths into a delightful cumulative rhyming text. Well-written sidebars clarify and uncomplicate (but not simplify) the forces of the universe for the youngest readers. OLDER THAN THE STARS is written by Karen C. Fox and illustrated by Nancy Davis. Before using the familiar 
"This is the..." refrain, Fox begins with five simple but profound declarative sentences, building to the startling conclusion:
"You are as old as the universe itself."

How in the world (no, in the universe!) is that possible? At the risk of overusing the word, I'd call Fox's text genius. Using words that are the ultimate in kid-friendly, she takes readers through the birth of the universe from bangs to bits, to blocks, giant puffs and red-hot stuff. At that point readers are thoroughly hooked, so that the formation of atoms strong and tough, blasts intense enough, dust old and new lead quite naturally to the sun, our daily view! 
But we haven 't yet reached the ultimate YOU, made of the stuff of that original BANG! Before that happens we'll read about our planet green and blue, plants, and animals. NOW you can see what a simple step it is to "people just like you."

The lyrics and the logic of this remarkable book, including those accessible side bars, present Stephen Hawking's insights and sense of wonder about our (understatement alert...) remarkable universe in ways that feel self-evident and natural. The glossary and time line (not to scale) in the back matter are valuable additions.The charm and appeal of the rhymed, cumulative text will have the youngest begging for rereads. So much so that by the time readers are ready for the "fine print" in the side bars and back matter they will have a firmly rooted sense of the truth of the BIG BANG THEORY on which to hang these more refined scientific details. 

Add this one to your STEM title list, but don't assume it's a book exclusively for older readers. Get this colorful, comprehensive picture book into the hands and ears of kids everywhere.
Special thanks to friend, poet, and author JoAnn Early Macken for mentioning this title, which is nearly a decade old but is entirely new to me! I'm sharing the favor with readers here and hoping you'll find and enjoy it yourselves.