February 14th has come and gone, and while that date is best known for chocolates and love, cards and treats, children's literature lovers may also mark their calendars for the announcements of the winners of the Cybils Award!
I had the grand pleasure of serving as a Round One Judge for the 2018 Cybils Award in the category of Fiction Picture Books and Board Books, and our group sent off this shortlist of seven picture books to the Round Two Panelists so they could select the winner. I had a big hunch about which book would be chosen, and I was totally wrong! I usually don't post about board books here, but please check out the announcement of the finalists and the winner that was declared yesterday for excellent recommendations for reading with babies and toddlers.
Among these seven picture books, I definitely have my distinct favorites. The list of seven is filled with quality books worthy of checking out. I've noted other awards or honors that these books have been nominated for or have won, so you can see that we're in good company on our assessments!
1. Alma and How She Got Her Name written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
2019 Caldecott Honor Book
I loved the beauty of this book-- the changing styles of illustration as Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela learns about the family members of whom each of her many names are in honor are just incredible. Alma may start out being annoyed by her many names, but when her family history is lovingly shared with her, she comes to see the joy she gets to carry on. This is a debut picture book, but it hits every note perfectly to make for a delightful read aloud and way to help children see the importance of family.
I loved the beauty of this book-- the changing styles of illustration as Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela learns about the family members of whom each of her many names are in honor are just incredible. Alma may start out being annoyed by her many names, but when her family history is lovingly shared with her, she comes to see the joy she gets to carry on. This is a debut picture book, but it hits every note perfectly to make for a delightful read aloud and way to help children see the importance of family.
2. Julián Is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love
2019 Stonewall Book Award- Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award
2018 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books
2018 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books
Another debut author/illustrator, and another amazing book. Julián is inspired by a trio of women he sees on the subway who are all fabulously dressed, and upon his return home, Julián uses what he can find at home to create his own vibrant mermaid costume. Here is a child dressing up, loving how he looks and celebrating the joy of creativity. Julián's abuela loves him regardless of how he chooses to dress, and the overall tone of the book is a celebration of being yourself, with gorgeous illustrations to support a lovely story.
3. The Day War Came written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
2019 NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor Book
Oh, this is a heartbreakingly beautiful book, and one that is more appropriate for older picture book readers. The story of a child whose life is torn asunder, losing home and family and being forced to become a refugee. While the terrors this young girl experiences aren't graphically described or imagined here, this is still most definitely a book that will require some context for children, and likely, some reassurance of their own safety, if that can be given. Sadly, even young children can be aware of news items and this book can help provide a way to talk about the refugee experience, especially if they are attending schools with refugee students.
Oh, this is a heartbreakingly beautiful book, and one that is more appropriate for older picture book readers. The story of a child whose life is torn asunder, losing home and family and being forced to become a refugee. While the terrors this young girl experiences aren't graphically described or imagined here, this is still most definitely a book that will require some context for children, and likely, some reassurance of their own safety, if that can be given. Sadly, even young children can be aware of news items and this book can help provide a way to talk about the refugee experience, especially if they are attending schools with refugee students.
2018 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books
2018 Cybils Award Winner for Fiction Picture Books
Penelope Rex is starting school, but as it turns out, she's the only dinosaur in her class. She's nervous, and she seems to be having trouble remembering the titular rule... but in her defense, humans apparently can be pretty tasty. Okay, it sounds much darker than it's actually presented. This is a goofy and silly back-to-school romp of a picture book, and laughs are guaranteed when this one is read aloud.
(This one was chosen by the Round Two Panelists as the winner this year!)
2018 Cybils Award Winner for Fiction Picture Books
Penelope Rex is starting school, but as it turns out, she's the only dinosaur in her class. She's nervous, and she seems to be having trouble remembering the titular rule... but in her defense, humans apparently can be pretty tasty. Okay, it sounds much darker than it's actually presented. This is a goofy and silly back-to-school romp of a picture book, and laughs are guaranteed when this one is read aloud.
(This one was chosen by the Round Two Panelists as the winner this year!)
5. The Rough Patch written and illustrated by Brian Lies
2019 Caldecott Honor Book
This book really hit me in the heart when I first read it for review over at 5 Minutes for Books. Add this one to the list of books to check out on the sad occasion of the loss of a pet, but don't wait for such an unfortunate event to read it with the children in your life. Death and grief are realities in life, and high-quality stories that address these themes with compassion and grace are important to share. Even if children don't have to face the death of a loved one, this book emphasizes the need for empathy for others, and it does it so well.
This book really hit me in the heart when I first read it for review over at 5 Minutes for Books. Add this one to the list of books to check out on the sad occasion of the loss of a pet, but don't wait for such an unfortunate event to read it with the children in your life. Death and grief are realities in life, and high-quality stories that address these themes with compassion and grace are important to share. Even if children don't have to face the death of a loved one, this book emphasizes the need for empathy for others, and it does it so well.
6. The Rabbit Listened written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
2018 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books
The block structure that Taylor built in the opening pages of this picture book was simply astounding. Taylor had created something truly special and was basking in its awesomeness when the unthinkable happened and it all came crashing down. In the aftermath, a variety of animals approach Taylor, one by one, each offering different advice on how to handle the experience, such as talking about it or shouting in anger. None of those reactions appeals to Taylor, so each animal heads on its way. But when the rabbit approaches, it doesn’t offer anything more than its close company. The rabbit’s mere presence, and the quiet comfort it provides with no expectations, allows for Taylor to begin to express feelings of sadness, frustration, and even a chuckle or two at the whole ordeal. While this gentle story reflects emotions and experiences for young children, it also serves as a meaningful lesson for the adult caregivers who will read it. Sometimes, all we need to do is be there for our children.
(This was my favorite of the seven finalists, and one of my fave pic books in a long time!)
The block structure that Taylor built in the opening pages of this picture book was simply astounding. Taylor had created something truly special and was basking in its awesomeness when the unthinkable happened and it all came crashing down. In the aftermath, a variety of animals approach Taylor, one by one, each offering different advice on how to handle the experience, such as talking about it or shouting in anger. None of those reactions appeals to Taylor, so each animal heads on its way. But when the rabbit approaches, it doesn’t offer anything more than its close company. The rabbit’s mere presence, and the quiet comfort it provides with no expectations, allows for Taylor to begin to express feelings of sadness, frustration, and even a chuckle or two at the whole ordeal. While this gentle story reflects emotions and experiences for young children, it also serves as a meaningful lesson for the adult caregivers who will read it. Sometimes, all we need to do is be there for our children.
(This was my favorite of the seven finalists, and one of my fave pic books in a long time!)
7. The Day You Begin written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López
2018 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books
I was lucky enough to see Jacqueline Woodson, the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, discuss this book last fall at the National Book Festival (watch the video here), and everything this woman creates is just freaking gold. This book captures the feeling of starting school, but it also addresses all those times during which you might feel new and out-of-place. Emphasizing self-confidence is important, but Woodson also demonstrates how making connections with others even in the face of apparent differences will help everyone involved. There's so much positivity in this book, and it manages to inspire without being cheesy or didactic. That cover is amazing with the girl's tentative expression saying so much, and it's indicative of the beauty you'll find in its pages!
(This was my prediction for the winner, because it hits every picture note with absolute perfection, but it looks like the second round folks picked differently.)
I was lucky enough to see Jacqueline Woodson, the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, discuss this book last fall at the National Book Festival (watch the video here), and everything this woman creates is just freaking gold. This book captures the feeling of starting school, but it also addresses all those times during which you might feel new and out-of-place. Emphasizing self-confidence is important, but Woodson also demonstrates how making connections with others even in the face of apparent differences will help everyone involved. There's so much positivity in this book, and it manages to inspire without being cheesy or didactic. That cover is amazing with the girl's tentative expression saying so much, and it's indicative of the beauty you'll find in its pages!
(This was my prediction for the winner, because it hits every picture note with absolute perfection, but it looks like the second round folks picked differently.)
So many winners here-- grab them for a story time soon!
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