BOOK FIGHT

The annual Battle of the Kids Books is ramping up over at SLJ. Judges have been announced. Books named. Brackets released. This will be fun. Click here for all of it.

YOU WON A CYBILS AWARD

I didn’t mention this before? How did I not mention this before? The Cybils winners have been announced. Click here to see them.

THEY ARE ASKING NICELY

Shelftalker has a few books they feel could really benefit from new covers. Click here to read.

When Andy Met Sandy and Andy & Sandy’s Anything Adventure by Tomi dePaola (co-written with Jim Lewis). Out March 8, 2016.

Look at this, will ya – an early reader series from TdP.

Diversity in books for kids – we often talk about it, but has there been real change? CCBC crunched the numbers. Some are encouraging, others show there is plenty of work to be done. Click below to see the numbers.

This one is closer to Tweet of the Year status. Cece Bell made something for 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Sophie Blackall:

But it was a Caldecott pillow!!! @CeceBellBooks MADE this. She is the kindest genius in the world. I am SO lucky. pic.twitter.com/IJYJqmyCOK

— Sophie Blackall (@SophieBlackall) February 24, 2016

Last week A Fuse #8 Production asked if authors and illustrators should be encouraged to collaborate more. It was an excellent post. This video (brought to my attention by Shannon Ozirny) brings things to the next level – illustrator/illustrator collaboration on the same piece of art. At the same time. Via the brothers Fan. Click the image below to watch.