#Cybils #kidlt Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Have you nominated your favorite children’s books from the last year yet? The Cybils nomination window ends October 15, 2018. Learn how to nominate at the Cybils blog.

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The New York Times bestseller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison has already been nominated for a 2018 Cybils award in the Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction category.

 

Vashti Harrison wanted an outlet for her art and also wanted to do something for Black History Month. The result began as a series of posts on Instagram and grew into this wonderful collection of 40 short biographies of groundbreaking women.

Each of the women is represented by a two page spread. One the left side is a three to four paragraph summary of the woman’s life and accomplishments, and accompanying it is Vashti Harrison’s unique illustration on the right. As has been mentioned in other reviews, the artist gives each figure a gentle smile and downcast eyes. They remind me of Simon Basher’s illustrations.

When my son was in third grade, it was the tradition in the school to present what they called a “wax museum.” The students dressed up as a figure from history and lined up in the hallways. As families and friends walked by, the students gave a short speech about the person they represented. Too bad this book wasn’t available then because it is an incredible resource for student projects like that one. Little Leaders introduces children to many inspiring women who they might not have previously heard about. Harrison has done a great job covering women from a variety of backgrounds, too.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It deserves a place on every shelf, although it isn’t likely it will stay there for long before someone picks it up to read it.

Age Range: 8 – 11 years
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (December 5, 2017)
ISBN-10: 9780316475112
ISBN-13: 978-0316475112

 

#Cybils Nominations Start Today

October 1, 2018 is the opening day to nominate children’s books for a 2018 Cybils Award. (See previous post for more information about what books are eligible).

Categories (links go to nomination lists):

Early Chapter Books/Easy Readers
Elementary/Middle-Grade Nonfiction
Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Fiction Picture/Board Books
Middle Grade Fiction
Poetry
Junior/Senior High Nonfiction
Young Adult Fiction
• Young Adult Graphic Novels
Young Adult Speculative Fiction

If you can’t think of any titles to nominate in a certain category, try Jean Little Library blog for some great suggestions.

If you are looking for top notch children’s books, stop by and check out the nominations after they close. You won’t be disappointed!

#Cybils 2018: Accepting Children’s Book Nominations Soon

It’s an exciting time in the children’s book world because the Cybils Awards (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards) will be accepting nominations soon, from Oct. 1, 2018 and Oct. 15, 2018.

Did you read any great children’s books this year (published between Oct. 16, 2017 and Oct. 15, 2018)? Pick your favorite per category and consider nominating it.

Categories:
• Board Books (included in Fiction Picture Book category but judged separately)
• Early Chapter Books
• Easy Readers
• Elementary/Middle-Grade Nonfiction
• Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
• Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
• Fiction Picture Books
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Poetry
• Junior/Senior High Nonfiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Young Adult Graphic Novels
• Young Adult Speculative Fiction

See the FAQs for more information.

If you are looking for top notch children’s books, stop by and check out the nominations after they close. You won’t be disappointed!

On a personal note, I am a Round 1 judge this year in the Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction category, so I’ll get to read all the wonderful books that have been nominated. What a treat!

Cybils 2018: Call for Volunteer Judges

Do you blog about children’s books on a regular basis? Like to promote books and reading? Then you might want to become a Cybils judge. The call for judges is ongoing until September 9, 2018.

What are Cybils? The acronym stands for children’s and young adult bloggers literary awards. Bloggers who specialize in children’s and young adult books have developed the Cybils awards to highlight some of the best books published in the previous year.

Volunteer judges are needed to read and evaluate the nominated titles in a range of genres. There are two rounds of judging, so be sure to read the judging details to decide which panels you would like to apply for.

Being a Cybils judge is a wonderful opportunity to meet others interested in children’s books and to read some of the top books in the industry.

Hope to see you there!