Oh my gosh, I’m getting excited. As you know, I’m a first-round judge for the Fiction Picture Book category in the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards.
The nominations are pouring in, and I’ve been perusing the ever-growing
list with happy anticipation. My fellow panelists and I will be
responsible for reading every book nominated and putting the very best
among them on a shortlist for the finals. Then I will go off and have a
baby (or so the plan is), and the finals judges will choose winners to
announce in February.

So now you know how I plan to spend my third trimester: parked in a
comfy spot, reading lovely picture books to my younguns. Beanie in
particular is going to enjoy this particular ‘assignment’ of Mom’s.
Wonderboy and Rilla too, no doubt. Nominations are open through October
15th, so get on over there
and enter your favorite books from 2008 (one nomination per person per
category, I believe—oh, and I’ve heard the Easy Reader category is
especially in need of suggestions). Beanie is counting on you.