Dear Kim, Focus on books. Focus on books. Look to ALA and focus on books. That's my mantra today. Does it work for you too? ALA Midwinter is a hive of book buzz right now with just a few days until the announcements of the annual ALA Youth Media awards. From http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/ymapk It is an exciting time for the children's book world as we await to see if our favorites will wear foil seals. Award committees may miss one or two of our favorites, but overwhelmingly do a nice job of highlighting the very best in children's literature each year. What a task serving on such a committee must be, equal parts heavy responsibility and utter joy. I'm always pleased when the committees help me find new books to love, like Dan Santat's BEEKLE or THIS ONE SUMMER by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. Both were so far from my radar. So I say, THANK YOU, COMMITTEES for bringing them to me! I don't read enough m...