And, the finalists for the 2004 Teddy Children’s Book Awards are:

Short Works

Lee Merrill Byrd, The Treasure on Gold Street (Cinco Puntos Press)

Karin Cates, The Secret Remedy Book: A Story of Comfort and Love (Orchard Books)

Joyce Gibson Roach, Horned Toad Canyon (Bright Sky Press)

Just a reminder, the previously-announced…

Long Works

Kathi Appelt, My Father’s Summers: A Daughter’s Memoir (Henry Holt)

Greg Leitich Smith, Ninjas, Prianhas, and Galileo (Little, Brown)

Brian Yansky, My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World (Cricket Books)

While we’re talking Texas awards, for anyone who missed the Texas Institute of Letters announcement this past year:

Friends of the Austin Public Library Award ($500) for Best Children’s Book

WINNER: Betty Lou Phillips, Emily Goes Wild (Gibbs Smith)

FINALISTS: Lee Merrill Byrd, The Treasure on Gold Street (Cinco Puntos Press); Bryce Milligan, The Prince of Ireland and the Three Magic Stallions (Holiday House)

Friends of the Austin Public Library Award ($500) for Best Young Adults’ Book

WINNER: Brian Yansky, My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World (Cricket Books)

FINALISTS: Anne Estevis, Down Garrapata Road (Arte Publico Press); Tim Tingle, Walking the Choctaw Road (Cinco Puntos Press)

Note: My Father’s Summers by Kathi Appelt, My Road Trip To The Pretty Girl Capital of the World by Brian Yansky, and Walking The Choctaw Trail by Tim Tingle all are highly recommended by me personally. I’m also fond of Greg’s Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo, but you know, I married him. Of course I think he’s a genius.