I was as excited as the next kidlitosphere blogger when it came time to hear the new ALA winners. Not realizing I was one of the lucky few to actually see the live webcast, I casually watched and took notes of the highlights. Awards were announced boom-boom-boom-boom with little time for contemplation.

Most of the awards were new to me. And almost sounded comical...just try to say these three times fast, I dare ya': arbuthnot-batchelder-carnegie-geisel.

Despite not knowing what-the-heck the awards were or how-in-the-world to spell them, I did recognize many of the titles and authors. I was particularly thrilled for Rules by Cynthia Lord, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and Not a Box by Antoinette Portis.

Finally, the long-awaited Caldecott and Newbery were up (actually I was surprised how quickly the show went.) Winners were revealed. Then, justlikethat, it was over.

I posted some of the big winners, but I couldn't comment.

Now, I'm ready.

Of all the kids' books I have become acquainted with this year, a choice few were selected, leaving hundreds of great books in the dust.

Since picture books are my thing, I'll talk about the Caldecott for a moment. None of these books made my Picks of 2006 list, but they are all awardable, nonetheless. I have read Flotsam by David Weisner(or-looked at it-would be more accurate). I see its merit. I admit that the book is gorgeous and clever, but personally I don't love it. Why not? Well, to be honest, I've never seen a wordless book that I truly loved and adored. You might think that if anyone would enjoy such a thing, it would be a picture-book writer...that I should be able to make up my own story to fit the illustrations. Sorry. I like words.

The two honor books, Gone Wild by David McLimans and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Kadir Nelson and Carole Boston Weatherford leave me....intrigued. I have seen both of these books on shelves. I thought Gone Wild was unique. I never felt the desire to pick up the Moses book. It's not my style.

I like fun, simple picture books. That said, I now want to take a fresh look at these winners, and try to see what the committee saw.

Of all the BEST-OF-THE-YEAR lists of books for kids, my favorite list is always the ALA Notables. I can't wait to go to the library! I was supposed to go today, but the kids are exploding stomach flu germs.
--Emily

PS. Wanna know a secret? I started my first novel today. YA. he-he.

PPS.I just watched the movie Step Up and loved it. I wanna watch it again before returning it to Blockbuster. I totally want to go dancing now. Who wants to come?

CALDECOTT WINNER: Flotsam by David Wiesner



HONOR BOOKS:
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans


Moses: When Harriet Tubman led her People to Freedom by Carole Weatherford



NEWBERY WINNER: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron


HONOR BOOKS:
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm


Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson


AND RULES BY CYNTHIA LORD---WHOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (She also won the Schneider Family Book Award for mid-grade!!!!)



Some of the other winners today were...
PRINTZ WINNER: American-Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (First graphic novel to be recognized for a Printz)

HONOR BOOKS: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation by M.T. Anderson
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
The Book Theif by Markus Zusak

THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL AWARD WINNER: Zelda & Ivy by Laura Mcgee Kvasnosky

HONOR BOOKS: Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont and Jane Dyer
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate Dicamillo and Chris Van Dusen
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

All right. That'll do for now. The ALA website has a complete list of winners.

Let the debates begin!

Yay! I love the ALA notables lists. Today they released their Notable Childrens Book Discussion List for this year. If you're in my area, sorry, I'll be wiping out the library of most of these books today.

Here it is, DA DA DAAAAAH:

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/childrensnotable/Default1888.htm

Of course, this list isn't all picture books. One NOTABLE children's book for older kids is RULES by our very own cynthialord. Hurray for Rules!

I love lists of great picture books. This list isn't brand new, but if you haven't looked it up yet, I highly recommend it. I almost always agree with the ALA notable picture book picks. The list includes books for older young readers as well, but as you've probably figured out, I'm the Picture Book Girl.

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/childrensnotable/notablecbooklist/currentnotable.htm