2010 Cybils Awards

Congratulations to all the Cybils Award winners (click for the link). Marilyn Singer's Mirror Mirror, illustrated by Josée Masse, won the award in poetry: you can click here for my review of this collection of fairy tales told in palindromes. It’s amazing how illuminating and fun it can be to read old tales from two directions.



It was exciting to have Borrowed Names named as a poetry finalist, along with Ubiquitous and Dark Emperor by Joyce Sidman, who masterfully pleats science and sounds, making connections intricate as overlapping feathers or scales, and Jessica Swaim’s book Scarum Fair, which combines chills and laughter. Honored here more in their roles as editors and compilers, working from their generosity as mentors and colleagues, are Lee Bennett Hopkins for Sharing the Seasons, a joyful collection, and Jane Yolen for Switching on the Moon, which celebrates nighttime rituals for the very young.



Thanks to the judges and all who work hard to make the Cybils happen. Getting their hands on books, reading, musing, discussing, wrestling time from other commitments to blogging, baking, yoga practices, running, communing with Jane Austen, teaching, writing their own poems, guiding and caring for children, and so many other things. Extra hugs and Valentine cookies to you all!

When you’re named a finalist of something and you know you have a chance it feels sad not to get the number one spot, even when you know odds are against the pinnacle and you love the winning book. But you remind yourself it was cool to be a finalist and go on, knowing the crowd of “almosts” or “not this time” is so much bigger than that tiny place on top. And the day isn’t too much changed. Cheers would be a lovely way to start the morning, but then it would be about setting aside the prize, just like sending disappointment to its corner, and turning to a window with its cloudy but marvelous view of all books yet to be written.

Which is the plan. Then I'm baking Jama’s lemon bars.