Christopher Helton

The book You've Awoken Her by Ann Dávila Cardinal laying on torn paper and a smoky purple background.

A torn piece of paper on top of a purple hazy background. Written on the paper are the words: "DON'T MISS THIS BOOK - IT'S A GOOD ONE". Then there's a separator line followed by more writing that says: "MOM READ IT".

It's October, and our team is on the hunt for books that go bump in the night.

Fortunately, @anndavilacardinal.bsky.social's newest YA horror novel, You've Awoken Her, more than delivers.

Check out this glowing review from @roesolo.bsky.social: momreadit.com/2025/07/25/c...

We don’t have a uniform, but… 👀

YouTube video by Noël Coward (Official) Dame Patricia Routledge - "I Went to a Marvellous Party" by Noël Coward

If I can share one of my favourite Patricia Routledge moments, it's her singing Noel Coward's "I Went to a Marvellous Party."

In her 90s just smashing it. An icon. I love her.

It's one of our favorite days of the month. If you haven't yet, scroll through #kidlitartpostcard and be in awe of the amazing skill (and future books?) on display.

A white box with a poem in the top left corner that read, "Roses are red Violets are blue, We read good books And share them with you." The bottom left corner reads, "www.cybils.com". The bottom right corner is a logo for the Cybils Awards.

On this Random Acts of Poetry Day, here's a little poem for your feed.

In second grade, a reading teacher read us Goblins in the Castle by Bruce Coville, and I think that’s the book that kept me reading. It completely changed how I thought about books.

#KidLitChat

A block of text that reads: "Cybils Scribbles September Roundup: Latine Books List, Beach Day Book List, News & More!" Eight books surround the text, each with a white border. The books are A Sea of Lemon Trees, An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic, Dreaming of a Quinceañera, Marisol Acts the Part, A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation, Lost on Doll Island; Bold, Brilliant, and Latine; and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar.

September is coming to an end, so it's time for the latest Cybils Scribbles over on our Substack. In this edition:

📚 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
📚 A World Beach Day book list
📚 A look at how the Cybils is different this year
📚 & more!

Check it out: cybilsawards.substack.com/p/september-...

I made two pop-up cards copying mechanisms from Jan Pienkowski’s very cool Haunted House book, one not pictured, but here’s my spider. We also recommend this gross and silly Monster’s Lunchbox, with touch-and-feel details. #popupcard #kidlit #picturebook #bats

It's here! Making Light Bloom, with words by me & illustrations by Julie Paschkis is here! It tells the story of the hidden genius behind the Tiffany lamps & has received 3 starred reviews. To learn more, go to sandranickel.com/books/making... #STEAM #kidlit #tiffanylamps #picturebooks #nonfiction

Blurbs attributed to "Lisa Ko, author of the leavers" for Elmore Leonard, Sidney Sheldon, Joyce maynard, Peter Maas, Amy Tan, and Patti Smith

The AI book list and general enshittification reminded me that I've been credited as blurbing hundreds of books I never have, including books by Patti Smith, Amy Tan, Sidney Sheldon, Joyce Maynard, and Elmore Leonard? And I can't get these fake blurbs taken off publisher and bookstore websites?

Did I mention the prizes include a signed copy of James Marshall's Hansel and Gretel that features an ORIGINAL James Marshall sketch? 👀👀👀

Come to the party! Sign up here!!

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

What's that? You're running out of ways to transport your favorite James Marshall picture books? May I suggest this vintage Viola Swamp tote bag? 🖤🖤

Come to my Zoom party for a chance to win this rare bit of picture book merch! Register below 👇

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

wife: how was guarding the two paths today, honey?

guard: [looking away] fine

wife: did something happen?

guard: [tearing up] no

wife: would the other guard tell me something happened?

YouTube video by aurora spiderwoman RAGS Teresa Stratas "Children of the Wind"

so sad to hear that charles strouse has passed. lots of tributes will talk about annie and bye bye birdie, but i’d be remiss not to thank this man one more time for writing RAGS, an absolute gem of a score and show

youtu.be/o4Y8mpIq-_Q?...

Carla Hayden has been an amazing advocate for libraries. To be pushed aside like this is disgraceful.

I’m sorry, a bookstore called BODACIOUS is pulling books due to content?

At a time when kids are being targeted with slop content at an unprecedented rate, PBS continues to provide them with high-quality, thoughtful programming. It’s incredibly frustrating to see their public funding attacked yet again.

MakerSpace: Preserving Family Recipes in the Library Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares an outline for a tween and teen program that teaches tech skills and encourages participants to create their own recipe cards for posterity

Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares an outline for a tween and teen program that teaches tech skills and encourages participants to create their own recipe cards for posterity.

the only way out is to read

Children’s author Mac Barnett wants the U.S. to appreciate picture books Recently named the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, acclaimed Oakland writer shares why he believes picture books deserve more respect.

Children’s author Mac Barnett wants the U.S. to appreciate picture books | SF Chronicle

Massive congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and nominees. There were so many amazing books this year. The judges were truly spoiled for choice, and it’s a testament to the high level of talent and skill found in children’s and YA publishing today.

Happy #BookLove day ! It's time to present the 2024 CYBILS Awards winners! #cybils2024 📚👍🏼

Read why the judges chose these books here:
www.cybils.com/2025/...

#booksky

Hard to believe it’s that time again, but the Cybils Awards winners will be announced tomorrow. The judges have been hard at work, and we can’t wait to celebrate some amazing books with you all.

The countdown is ON. The winners of the 2024 CYBILS Awards will be announced on Friday, 14 February at 9:00 AM PT|12 noon ET

Website first. Then social media.

#CYBILS2024 #BookLove #KidLit #MGLit #YALit #bookstagram #booksky

Mac Barnett Named New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett Named New National Ambassador for Young People’s LiteratureAmbassadorship Will Celebrate the Power of the Picture Book Art FormProposals Now Accepted for National Ambassador Tour...

Mac Barnett Named New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature newsroom.loc.gov/news/mac-bar...

OPEN WIDE is now listed on the Simon & Schuster website and is available for preorder at most retailers! Of course, everyone should preorder two copies—one for you and one for your dentist 😏. www.simonandschuster.com/books/Open-W...

The judges have been working so hard this year, and we can’t wait to share these amazing books with you all.

We'll forgive you if you break out in song. Heck, we're having a hard time not singing, too!

The finalists for the 2024 CYBILS Awards will be announced tomorrow. 9:am PT |12:pm ET.

If we're not already in your blog reader, right now would be a good time to fix that!

#CYBILS2024 #NewYearsDay

Digital illustration of two ghosts wrapping a translucent ribbon around a snowy tree that is decorated with pink bows. There is snow on the ground and tiny stars against a black sky. The snow on the ground and tree are subtly iridescent.

Happy holidays ❄️🎀

Both solid choices!