The Cybil Winners!!!

At long last it is a pleasure to be able to say, "Pass the envelope, Please!"

What's that? You say the envelope is already passed, opened and read? Geesh! Where was I? Oh, I know--emailing, working, taking kids to school, back again, haircuts, shoe shopping and so on.

So, I am late to the game, but still eager to party hearty.

You can read the list of winner here at the official Cybils site. Make sure to read all about the wonderful books narrowed down by the organizers and chosen by the judges. I had the pleasure of serving with my fellow judges in the Fiction Picture Book category, and it was hard work to choose from great books, but is with the absolutely greatest pleasure that I announce and feature our top choice, The Chicken Chasing Queen of Lamar County, wonderfully written by Janice Harrington, and marvelously illustrated by Shelly Jackson.

In a delicious nutshell:

Mama says “NO,” but this farm girl seems determined to keep right on chasing chickens, especially poor Miss
Hen, the one chicken that always gets away. This lively story is told to us in the first person voice of our full-of-the-devil young lady, using language that sings with the vernacular and cadence of true country story telling. The illustrations are a perfect match in spirit, and they move the tale along with equal verve, using the rich texture of collage, skilled brush strokes, celebratory colors, and charming whimsy. Best of all, we learn that even the wildest hearts are capable of warmth and growth.

For me I would love to meet both the author and the illustrator of this book. The language sings, which is understandable since Janice Harrington is a genuine story teller. Equally in tune is the fabulous art work which has it's own artistic voice providing the perfect harmony. Check out this book for sure and be prepared to be wowed. We certainly were. And while you are at it, check out all the other books, too, the winners and the finalists.

Comments

[Natasha Wing]

Thank you judge. It was an honor to be a picture book finalist. I posted the list of finalists on my blog as well to spread the word. www.natashawing.blogspot.com

[MotherReader]

I was on the picture book committee that send the books your way, and it was a pleasure to put this book on the short list. It's one of my favorites. (Though with Knuffle Bunny Too in the nominations, it would be Wrong for me to say that it is my one and only favorite.)

Great job in selecting an awesome book!

[Vivian]

I can't wait to read this one with my kids. Great job!

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Thanks, Natasha, for stopping by. "Go To Bed, Monster" was a wonderful book, too!

Vivian and MR, thanks for the nice words. It was a very intense experience to narrow down and decide.

I find it so interesting that my favorites were so very child centered--one of the best things about CCQ. I find it funny because I tend to create books that are NOT child centered, per se, although I do have two stories that are about to be shopped around by my agent that actually ARE first person, kid narrated. Something different for me--creating out of my comfort zone, so to speak.

We'll see how it goes. Another project of mine is not at all--more adult.

In the end, it is all very enjoyable to discuss and contemplate....

[karen lee]

Lucky you to get all those books! I love the palette in this one, the animation of the character, and the cool graphic elements. They all work towards the whole.

Karen