Cybils winners announced!!

Happy Valentine's Day & Gung Hey Fat Choi!! Today we also have the long awaited Cybils announcement for best children's books of 2009. Kidlit bloggers from all over the blogosphere weigh in on their favorites in nine categories. Then panels of judges pull out the top five overall best, considering the story, writing craft, illustrations, kid-appeal and literary merit. Second round judges chose the best of the best for the final award.

This year I participated on the fiction picture book judging panel, and let me tell you it was a difficult task to chose one winner from the five fabulous books on the short list. It was a delightful job, however. My kids enjoyed being part of the test audience!

Click on over to the Cybils site to read all about the winning books with full links. Congratulations to all winners!

Review: Gracias Thanks

Gracias Thanks is a delightful picture book written in Spanish and English. A young boy gives thanks for all the simple everyday things that make him happy. His mischievous character shows through as he delights when his Abuelita gives him a dollar when no one else is looking, and his “friend Billy who showed me the book about a boy giant who puts his little parents on top of a tall tree when they misbehave”. The illustrations are bold, beautiful acrylics on paper. Careful study of the full page spreads reveals intricate details that add dimension to the story. The bilingual text portrays small moments with enough complexity to invite laughter, further thought and conversation. Highly recommended for families, libraries, &; classrooms.

 Awards: 2010 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book
2010 ALA Notable Book

Author Pat Mora's webpage

illustrator John Parra's webpage

Publisher Lee& Low Inc. 2009 (review copy provided)