Christopher Helton

A book cover for The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker surrounded by copies of the same book cover.

A book review from The Book Search that reads, "I love this book ... I think kids are going to love it too." It's surrounded by copies of The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker.

Team member @imtanner.bsky.social recently reviewed The Lions' Run, a historical middle grade novel of courage and resistance, by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social.

Find the full review over on her blog, The Book Search: imtanner.blogspot.com/2026/01/midd...

Award week seems (to me) to be a very tidy wrapping up of last year's work. I'm pleased and very grateful that the final bow on JIM! comes with this incredible quote: "...a blueprint for all future picture book biographies."

Thank you, @cybilsawards.bsky.social and @achrishelton.bsky.social! 🦊⭐⭐⭐

Centered text that reads, "Cybils Scribbles: January Edition: Mental Health Book List, Lunar New Year Book List, Horror Book List". The text is surrounded by several book covers.

A good book is always necessary, and that’s especially true in tough times. For the latest edition of the Cybils Scribbles, we have you covered with plenty of recommendations.

LOVED this book.

The book JIM! Six True Stories About One Great Artist: James Marshall by Jerrold Connors on a black background with copies of the same book surrounding it.

Text that reads: "... a blueprint for all future picture book biographies." Underneath the text, three stars in a line. Under the stars, text that reads, "Plucked from the Stacks".

Team member @achrishelton.bsky.social recently checked out JIM! Six True Stories About One Great Artist: James Marshall by @jerroldconnors.bsky.social.

Find his full review over at pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/j...

The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency

I remember Stoppard, for the New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...

We’re thankful for books, the amazing people who create them, and the readers who love them. #kidlitchat

A book cover, slightly tilted, in the center of the image with eight copies of the book surrounding it. The book is Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina.

Some text, slightly tilted, in the center of the image that reads, "... Miya Wears Orange belongs in library collections everywhere." There are four orange dots under the text followed by the blog name "Mom Read It". Eight copies of Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina surround it.

Cybils team member @roesolo.bsky.social recently reviewed a powerful picture book from @highwaterpress.bsky.social, Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina.

Find the full review on her blog: momreadit.com

A block of text that reads: "Cybils Scribbles November Edition: Native Heritage Book List, Social Justice Book List, News & More!" Eight books surround the text, each with a white border. The books are: Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer & illustrated by Naoko Stoop, Faye and the Dangerous Journey by Kim Sigafus, Fierce Aunties by Laurel Goodluck & illustrated by Steph Littlebird, Legendary Frybread Drive-In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Moon Song by Michaela Goade, Of the Sun by Xelena González & illustrated by Emily Kewageshig, Our Ancestors' Kitchen by Willie Poll & illustrated by Shaikara David, and Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley.

November is in full swing, so it's time for the latest Cybils Scribbles. In this edition:

📚 Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
📚 A social justice book list for Nonfiction November
📚 News about a new film adaptation of a children’s book classic
📚 And more!

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… 👀

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

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

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