Cybils 2009 Is Underway - Sharing the Story

Yesterday, nominations opened for the Fourth Annual Children's and Young Adult Book Bloggers' Literary Awards. This is a combination people's choice and juried process to select "a group of children’s and YA books which combine literary excellence and child appeal." There are nine categories:

• Easy Readers and Short Chapter Book
• Fantasy and Science Fiction
• Fiction Picture Books
• Graphic Novels
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Nonfiction Picture Books
• Nonfiction for Middle Grade and Teens
• Poetry
• Young Adult Fiction

Natasha Maw of the Maw Books Blog has THE best presentation of what the Cybils is and how it work. Short, sweet, and complete! Rather than repeat all her fine work, I'm going to send you to visit her!

So why am I posteing about the Cybils on the Literacy Blog Tour blog? Well, for one, to invite you to be part of the process. If you've got a favorite book PUBLISHED in the last year, head over and add your suggestion to the pile. You have until October 15

On October 16, you will have at your fingertips NINE lists of books that come highly recommended by people who love and read children's books WITH KIDS.  

Voila! Instant, ready-made lists for your library visits, trips to your local indie bookstore (hint! hint!) and gifts.

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Just Six Months Until Share a Story 2010

I don't know what made me flip the calendar and look at the dates ... but we're just under six months away until Share a Story-Shape a Future 2010. Our theme is going to be It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader. I'm already starting to get excited about how the week is shaping up, but for now it's in semi-hibernation. That doesn't mean we haven't been busy; and this is a September I won't soon forget. Here's why ...

We have a new Literacy and Reading Wiki. Over the summer, Susan Stephenson of The Book Chook and I pulled the information from last year's Share a Story-Shape a Future event and started adding new content as we found it. What we now have is a dynamic resource filled with links, videos, and lists of ideas for engaging kids with books, exploring your library, and helping children learn to read.

Childrens and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards. The panels have been formed and the nominations start next week. This first round of the Cybils process is always exciting as we start sharing some of our favorite books to read with kids. I am once again honored to be part of the panel for Easy Readers and Short Chapter Books.


Several weeks ago, Nesting.com asked me to be its Knowledge Nest expert for Children's Books. Nesting.com is a multifaceted tool designed to help parents manage their busy lives. It is part social network, part reference, tool, and part family organizer. I'll be writing articles related to helping families engage kids (0 to 13) with books.

Last week, I was invited - along with Susan Thomsen of Chicken Spaghetti - to be a guest blogger for Booklights, the PBS Parents blog that is part of the organization's Raising Readers initiative. Needless to say, I am honored to have the opportunity to "share ideas for helping developing readers; ways to use classroom strategies at home; tips for exploring (or exploiting) the library; and a book recommendation or two."

We hope you have the opportunity to take advantage of these resources. Although they offer different things, they all have a singular purpose: encouraging you to read with your children.

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