The Cybils Are Back!

Thank you, thank you Cybils organizers. I had a fabulous time last year on the picture book judging panel and am just thrilled you have chosen me again! Click the link above to see who the other panelists are (and to check out their blogs...) And now, I must be patient... though it will be hard. I can't wait to see this year's crop of nominees! And for those of you who are reading this and who also blog, rush over to the Cybils website and nominate your favourite children's book titles. As a matter of fact, I don't think you even need to be a blogger yourself to submit a suggestion - so if you have read something you think is great, be prepared to send in your nominations starting October 1.

Cafe Fairfield - Wacky Families Panel

With apologies for not posting this earlier (I've been trapped in a parallel universe, which is what happens when one is called upon to do jury duty...)

You are invited to share music, readings, food and laughs at:

CAFÉ FAIRFIELD
September 23rd
1 – 4 p.m.
1335 Thurlow Road

1 p.m. Mural unveiled – meet artist Caroline Stengl
1:45 p.m.: Nancy Swartz will read from: Stories of Secular Humans

Authors Dede Crane, Nelly Kazenbroot, Karen Rivers and Nikki Tate
will hold a panel discussion with questions & answers on “Wacky Relatives and How They Get Into Books”

Book sales of signed copies by KIDS IN PRINT

Food by “YUM”

Welcome back to the GREEN ONIONS BAND

More information: 592 9340 or 382 4604

Could you say that, please?

Have trouble pronouncing author names like JON SCIESZKA? Here's a great article from the Horn Book Review to help you navigate the tricky, tricky world of pronouncing names you've only ever seen on book covers. (There's a reason I chose to write children's books using the name 'Nikki Tate.' :)

The Cybils are Back!

Any kid-lit bloggers out there? The Cybils are gearing up for another round of judging and need bloggers to serve on selection panels and as judges. This is a great organization and worthy of your time, if you feel so inclined. Last year I was fortunate enough to be selected as a judge in the picture book (fiction) category and was delighted when one of my favourite books (Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt) came out on top. I've applied again this year and my fingers are crossed that I'll be selected: the discussion about the nominated books was great, the mix of books was interesting (included a couple I had never even heard of), and my fellow judges not just knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, but lots of fun, too. So, if you have a little time and if you are a kid-lit blogger (or if you know someone who is), head on over to http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/ for more information.