Cybils 2011

Now that the official announcement has been made, I am very happy to be able to tell you that I will be a first-round judge for this year's Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils) in the Easy Reader/Early Chapter Book category. Since I already have a number of blog posts scheduled for the months of October and November, I don't think this will cause a decrease in blogging activity for the foreseeable future. In fact, with all the books I'll be reading, it's pretty likely I'll be posting even more reviews!

Cybils nominations will open this Saturday, October 1st, and will remain open for two weeks. I really encourage everyone to think of those wonderful titles that stood out for you throughout this past year and put in your nominations! Anyone is welcome to participate. Each person is allowed one nomination per genre, and any book published between October 16, 2010 and October 15, 2011 is eligible. I will post reminders throughout the two weeks here in the blog, as well as on Twitter (@sharingsoda). Please spread the word and encourage all your kidlit-friendly friends to nominate  their favorites as well.

I look forward to reading all the nominations in my category, and helping to find the year's best books. For more on the Cybils, visit http://www.cybils.com/.

Baby Lap Time, 9/28 & 9/29

This was my second Baby Lap Time session in my six-week registration-only series. About ten babies showed up, ranging in age from 2 months to 15 months. We did almost the exact same songs and rhymes as last week, but I varied the order and changed the books. I will repeat this routine twice more tomorrow.

Opening Song: Clap Along With Me 

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big  

Rhyme: Where Oh Where Are Baby's Fingers? 

Song: Tony Chestnut (a cappella) 

Song: Mr. Sun (a cappella)

Book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker (1994)
Something about this book makes babies from about 6 to 12 months squeal with joy.

Flannel Board Rhyme: I Went to Visit the Farm One Day  

Song: I'm a Little Teapot 

Song: Head and Shoulders

Book: In My Den by Sara Gillingham and Lorena Siminovich (2009)
This board book includes a finger puppet that peeps through the hole on each page. I went around to every baby and said hello, then went around to say goodbye. That was a spur of the moment idea, but it worked really well!

Song: Shortnin' Bread by the Laurie Berkner Band (with shaker eggs)

Song: Brown Squirrel 
I held up a squirrel puppet on a stick for this one, mainly as a distraction from having to part with the shaker eggs.

Bounce: Mother and Father and Uncle John 

Song: ABCD Medley

Goodbye Song: Open, Shut Them (Goodbye Version)