Now that Maurice is no longer with us, what will become of his book collection? Two interested parties are having it out in court to decide. Click here to read.

Niki at Daydream Reader is doing something cool to celebrate Picture Book Month – presenting a gift-wrapped book to her class each day. An excellent way to generate some book buzz, I say. Click here to read.

Over at Heavy Medal, they’re discussing picture books that might be considered for Newbery Medal. Click here to read.

Philip and Erin Stead recently wrapped up season one their excellent interview series Number 5 Bus Presents… by interviewing each other. Take this as your encouragement to go back and read any episodes you missed. Here’s hoping for a season two. Click here to read.

Kelly at Stacked spotted a common dedication. Click here to read.

Fire the Real Headline cannon! Click here to read.

The editors at Amazon have picked their best books of 2014. Click here to see the list.

Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai. Out February 17, 2015

Last time out Lai won the National Book Award and a Newbery Honor for Inside Out and Back Again. This upcoming book (which, as far as I can tell, is not a sequel) has already received a star from Booklist.

Lisa Von Drasek writes about her experience on the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books committee (a.k.a. my dream assignment) at EarlyWord

I enjoyed author/illustrator Dallas Clayton’s video over at BuzzFeed called Why Fame Doesn’t Matter.