I hope you had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate it, and that everybody had a terrific New Year’s. I am sick with the flu and wasn’t planning to post today. But, I’m so excited that BookSpeak has made the shortlist for the CYBILS Poetry category–what an honor! So I wanted to share this list of all 7 finalists, along with links if they’ve appeared on my blog.
BookSpeak! Poems About Books by Laura Purdie Salas (me!). Can’t tell you how proud I am to be in this list. I’ve blogged about BookSpeak tons and won’t subject you to more links!
In the Sea by David Elliott – I shared a bit of what I love about this book (though no poem from it, which I will rectify soon!) here.
Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs
by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen – I shared two poems here and one more here.
Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge – I just read this one recently and haven’t posted anything about it yet. I love Ron’s dark and creepy creativity! (I confess I wanted more likable main characters, though.)
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! compiled by J. Patrick Lewis – I shared one poem here and another poem and the teaching guide here.
UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian – I read this recently at the bookstore but haven’t posted yet, though I chose a favorite poem to share–soon!
Water Sings Blue by Kate Coombs – What? I haven’t blogged about this book? I picked it as one of my 5 Favorite Poetry Picks of 2012 for a fall book conference and was sure I’d shared it here, too.
Clearly, I need to share some poems from these fantastic books. I’m off to make some notes on my blog calendar!
At the blog For Those Who Know, they are donating one CYBILS Poetry Finalist to a local school library. Go comment to vote for which one they should donate!
Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme has the Poetry Friday roundup today–enjoy!
Congratulations,Laura! Your book has become a classroom favorite…for good reason.
Congratulations, Laura! Hope you’re feeling better by now….
Congratulations, Laura! Isn’t it wonderful that Book Speak has other wonderful titles for company?
It’s exactly what has made BookSpeak’s placement on several lists so meaningful–to see it among other poetry books I admire so much and know that poetry lovers put it on an equal footing with those other books! Thanks, Joyce!
WOOT! Both a CYBILS finalist and a Nerdy last year! YOU ROCK!
Thanks, Mary Lee–can’t begin to say how exciting it is that BookSpeak is connecting with readers:>)
Congratulations to you!! You are so generous with your comments and sharing.
Thanks, Violet! So many wonderful poetry books to share:>)
So exciting! Congratulations! This really is a great list.
Thanks, Ruth–isn’t it? I love almost every book on the list!
Congrats! Fingers crossed.
Thanks, Joanne! Mine, too:>)
Laura,
Congratulations! It’s a really wonderful book. I gave it to my favorite book-lover, my daughter.
All the best,
Liz
Thank you, Liz–that means a lot!
Congratulations, Laura! I loved the book. The poems and illustrations were both topnotch.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks, Elaine–you, too!
Congratulations on Bookspeak and the CYBILS! And so sorry you got the flu! I have heard the shot isn’t as effective this year, but not sure how true that is in my area. Get well soon! I am aiming to find two others to read the poem about the Beginning, Middle and End of a book a la the NCTE Poetry Committee’s rendition. That was so much fun!!!
Thanks, Janet–I had the flu shot about 1-1/2 weeks before I got ill. Would LOVE to see you see you do The Middle’s Lament:>) Happy New Year!
I’ve read almost all of those and bought two. Super list
Congrats!
Thanks, Catherine:>)
Wonderful round-up Laura, and congratulations on Bookspeak! Well deserved!! I’ve been meaning to get my hands on Water Sings Blue as well.
I hope to do the same round up for the Fiction Picture Book Cybils soon. 
Thanks, Myra. Oh, Water Sings Blue is just lovely–enjoy it! I need to get all the shortlist books from the various categories on my tbr list…
Congratulations, Laura. I do love Bookspeak, & am very happy for you, but sorry about the flu.
Thanks so much, Linda. Hoping to be back up to speed next week…
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Congratulations, Laura! I love love love the last sentence Jone wrote in her summary of BookSpeak at Cybils site… she wasn’t just describing your book, she was describing YOU! xo
Aw, thanks, Irene–that’s so sweet:>) It means a lot to be on the shortlist!
Happy to be in such good company, Laura–and thanks for nominating WSB in the first place!
Congratulations, Kate–and you’re welcome. SUCH a beautiful book…
Congratulations, Laura! I’m so happy for you. Good luck!
THanks, Penny–I appreciate it:>)
Thanks for the plug, Laura. Would like to join the Verseday fun?
I would, but I do 15 Words or Less Poems every Thursday, and I’m not sure if that really fits in with what you’re doing…
Congratulations!
Thanks, Lauri!
Laura, So sorry to hear you have the flu! My sister is just recovering, but the rest of my family remain well!
I wanted to ask you for some advice, words of wisdom, etc., about getting published in the poetry for children category. I’ve been writing children’s poetry for over twenty-five years, but have been unable to find a publisher. Did you have an agent, submit directly to the publisher, or self-publish? I would SO appreciate any helpful input.
Ramey Channell
http://www.sweetmusiconmoonlightridge.blogspot.com http://www.rameychannell.blogspot.com
Thanks, Ramey. I first got my poetry published in a couple of children’s magazines, and my first book publication was a slushpile submission (meaning without an agent). It took many years before I made my first book sale, so perseverance is key! Read widely in children’s poetry and note which publishers are publishing the kinds of poetry books you love. Then research those publishers and their individual editors online. Match up your manuscripts with the publishers/editors that are the best fit, and keep submitting! (My business partner Lisa Bullard and I run Mentors for Rent, an hourly writers’ coaching service, and we do critiques and submissions research: http://www.MentorsForRent.com) Best of luck–maybe 2013 will be the year you find your first publisher!