Inside Jacket

The Cybils!  The Cybils!  They are here!  They are here! (I keep hearing Dr. Suess in my head when I say that).

The Cybils are simply awesome.  What can I say.  The Cybils Awards are given each year from bloggers (aka – children’s literature enthusiasts aka – over enthused fans aka – those prone to squealing in the presence of an awesome book) to a group of children’s books which combine literary excellence and child appeal.

And it’s time to get this party started!  So here’s what you need to know . . .

What You Need to Do – Your Checklist (do or beware the stalking!)

• Subscribe to the Cybils feed.
• Follow @cybils on Twitter
• Get some Cybils bling for your blog if you have one.
• Buy Cybils bling for your home or office.
• If you are a librarian or a teacher (or not) – spread the word!
• GO NOMINATE your favorite (the best of the best) book published in the last year in nine different categories. You can see titles already nominated with these links:
  • 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
• And last – get excited!

Dates to Remember

• October 1-15th:  Nominations open to the public
• New Year’s Day:  Short Lists announced
• St. Valentines Day:  Finalists announced

Simple Rules

• Titles must be published from October 2008 to October 15, 2009
• Books must be published in English or bilingual with English
• Only one nomination per genre per person

Last year I had so much fun nominating children’s book titles for the Cybils, waiting anxiously for the shortlists and the final winners!  My book club read every title on the shortlist for fiction and non-fiction picture  books and graphic novels.  You can see last year’s shortlist and winners (pdf file).  I’m sure you’ll recognize a few of the titles.

How Am I Involved?

I debated all year whether or not I wanted to submit my name for consideration to be a panelist or judge.  It looked like so much fun!  I stalked the website until they announced that submissions were open.  And the best part – they took me!  (It’s like getting a little stamp of approval to tell you the truth).

I’m excited to let my readers know that I will be a round one panelist for the Fiction Picture Books category!  This means reading all the nominated picture book titles (last year there were about 150 nominated) and narrowing it down to a shortlist after which the judges will narrow it down to one single winner.  My boys and I are up for the task!  I will be updating every once in a while with my progress here and highlighting a few as well.

I’ll be serving with these fine folks:

Panel Organizer: Pam Coughlan, MotherReader

Panelists (Round I Judges):

Shelly Burns, Write for a Reader
Pam Coughlan (see panel organizer)
Katie Harvey, Katie’s Literature Lounge
Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes
Natasha Maw, Maw Books Blog

Round II Judges:

Amy, Big Brother is Reading
Andi (cloudscome), A Wrung Sponge
Lori Calabrese, Lori Calabrese Writes
Bethany Gatto, Your Friendly Neighborhood Librarian
Dawn Mooney, My Thoughts Exactly

Okay, so I’m totally anxious to see what everybody starts nominating.  So stop reading here.  And go over there!

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is an iconic book.  It’s one of those books that has had so much influence that where do I even begin discussing it?  The thought is overwhelming.  I don’t even dare attempt it.  This won’t be a formal review of any sorts but rather my random thoughts about it.

I grew up with this book.  Who didn’t grow up with this book?  Seriously?  I naturally assume that EVERY single household has a copy (or two) of it.  That’s how huge in my head it is.  I remember this book somehow, magically, always within arms reach.  It’s one of the very first picture books that my husband and I purchased after we got married because it felt unnatural to set up our house without this book in it.

Who didn’t want to be Max?  What a lucky little boy.  Sent to bed without dinner.  But who cares?  Who needs dinner when a forest starts to grow in your room and an ocean tumbles by with a private boat to sail to where the wild things are.  And although the wild things roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth and roll their terrible eyes and show their terrible claws, it doesn’t matter because you easily tame them and become their king.  And then  you have a wild rumpus and swing from the trees and have a grand old time.  And the best part, when you sail back home you have your supper waiting for you anyways!  A nice warm supper after a grand adventure.  Yes.  Who doesn’t want to be Max?

A book that I will make sure my boys grow up just as I did.

Who’s excited for the movie?!  I am.  Maurice Sendak has worked closely in making sure the movie matched his vision and from what I understand is ecstatic with how it turned out.  The movie will be released on October 16th of this  year.  Two more weeks!  This is one that’s worth getting a babysitter for  – that’s how I determine how all movies are lately – are they worth the cost of a babysitter and the price of a ticket?

Where the Wild Things Are movie trailer:

So what are your thoughts about Where the Wild Things Are?

I read Where the Wild Things Are as part of  Banned Books Week. The book has been challenged because of its witchcraft and supernatural elements.  Witchcraft?  Because he tamed them?  I don’t get it.

Links of interest:  Maurice Sendak Wikipedia entry, more book blogger reviews, and the Terrible Yellow Eyes website which is a fantastic art site!
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher:  HarperCollins.  November, 1988.  (Originally published 1968).
Paperback, 48 pages. ISBN:  0064431789
Where the Wild Things Are is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.