2027 Mock Caldecott List (67 books)

Listopia > 2027 Mock Caldecott List

Greetings, all lovers of masterfully-illustrated picture books! This is a serious book list intended for those wishing to explore new picture books deserving of the Caldecott Medal. I have begun the list with highly anticipated picture books coming out in 2026 and welcome your input. Please vote for any that you find exemplary and please suggest other 2026 picture books that you love. Happy reading!

Please only add picture books published in 2026 that meet the terms and criteria for the Caldecott Award: https: https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants...

Terms and Criteria include:
The "picture book for children" should .. "have a collective unity of story-line, theme or concept developed through the series of pictures"; have an intended audience of children up to and including age 14; have a publication date and/or was first available for purchase in the year 2026; have text in English (translated works already published elsewhere in the author's language are ineligible); and be a self-contained work with original illustrations that are distinguished and demonstrate excellence of artistic technique and appropriateness of style and interpretation of the story or theme.

Note: the criterion that most often excludes a work on this list is the requirement that the illustrator(s), who receives the award, must reside in or have a residence in the US or US territories.

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All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Navigating Night by Julie Leung (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 116 ratings score: 477, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	While We’re Here by Anne Wynter (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 53 ratings score: 386, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett 4.20 avg rating — 309 ratings score: 385, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Awe! by Chana Stiefel (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 78 ratings score: 371, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Goldfinches by Mary Oliver 4.46 avg rating — 164 ratings score: 295, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Loops by Jashar Awan 4.52 avg rating — 186 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	102 by Matthew Cordell 4.58 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Troubled Waters: A River's Journey Toward Justice by Carole Boston Weatherford 4.39 avg rating — 82 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Rare Bird by Elisha Cooper (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 150 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	How to Have a Thought: A Walk with Charles Darwin by Nicholas Day (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 76 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Where They Gather by Teresa Rodrigues (Goodreads Author) 4.47 avg rating — 47 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Future Book by Mac Barnett 4.16 avg rating — 368 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game (American Sports Histories, 2) by Kadir Nelson 4.18 avg rating — 74 ratings score: 171, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry by Derrick Barnes 4.14 avg rating — 102 ratings score: 163, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Dad by Christian Robinson 4.38 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 162, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Flowers for Mama by Deborah Freedman (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 32 ratings score: 159, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume by Selina Alko 3.99 avg rating — 80 ratings score: 153, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimentel (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 110 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Nani and the Lion by Alicia D. Williams (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 50 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	That You Are Here Is No Small Thing by Traci N. Todd it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Arctic Adventure: A Tundra Tale by Jyoti Rajan Gopal 4.35 avg rating — 66 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano 4.16 avg rating — 161 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes 4.39 avg rating — 66 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford 4.25 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	I Am the Mountain by Steven Weinberg 4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Weedy Garden: A Happy Habitat for Wild Friends by Margaret Renkl (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 97 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Celebrate We Gullah Geechee: A Kids' Look at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor by Yvette R. Murray 4.73 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	You Are the Land by Steph Littlebird 4.36 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Hold by Randy Ribay 4.14 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes 3.88 avg rating — 273 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Welcome, Uncle Nowruz!: A Persian New Year's Story by Rashin Kheiriyeh 4.41 avg rating — 46 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin 4.12 avg rating — 248 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	This Hair Belongs by JaNay Brown-Wood (Goodreads Author) 4.51 avg rating — 53 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Bartleby by Matt Phelan 4.02 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way by S.D. Nelson 4.17 avg rating — 23 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Two Artists, Grandad and Me by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow 4.12 avg rating — 59 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Beatrix and the Unicorn by Lita Judge (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 115 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Great Escape by Deborah Marcero (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 116 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen (Goodreads Author) 4.59 avg rating — 80 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	If This Were the World by Stephen Barr (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 36 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	A Home on the Page by Kao Kalia Yang (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 106 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Dream Builder's Blueprint: Dr. King's Message to Young People by Alice Faye Duncan (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 57 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars (Incredible Lives for Young Readers by Laura Alary (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 38 ratings score: 62, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 49 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Bing's Cherries by Livia Blackburne (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 60, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	It's My Bird-Day! (Pigeon, #13) by Mo Willems 4.31 avg rating — 167 ratings score: 59, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Your Truck by Jon Klassen 3.88 avg rating — 130 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Mungo on His Own by Matthew Burgess 3.86 avg rating — 81 ratings score: 57, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili 3.91 avg rating — 152 ratings score: 56, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Wake Up, Grouchy Bear! by David Ezra Stein 3.66 avg rating — 62 ratings score: 55, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Lulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk 4.02 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 54, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Sweet, Sweet Memory by Jacqueline Woodson (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 223 ratings score: 52, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery by Jane Kurtz (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 51, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Writing Toward Justice: The Life and Reporting of Alice A. Dunnigan by Peggy Thomas (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 25 ratings score: 50, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The House with Nobody in It by Jon Klassen it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 49, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	That Beautiful Mind by Tami Charles (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 48, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	The Muéganos by Jaque Jours really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 47, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie by Matthew Cordell 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 46, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Homesick by Audrey Vernick (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 45, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Bear for a Day: A Funny and Surprising Picture Book about Imagination from a Caldecott Honor Author, for Kids (Ages 4-8) by Corey R. Tabor 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 44, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Riding Magic by Kelly Starling Lyons (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 43, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Mariposa's Journey by Belen Medina really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 42, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Little Helper by Regina Linke (Goodreads Author) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 41, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Deepest Blue: A Stunning Color Picture Book about Connecting to Ancestors, for Kids (Ages 4-10) by Shauntay Grant 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 40, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	You Can Move Mountains: The Artful Life of Painter Bob Ross by Richard Ho 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 39, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Anansi and the Talking Cloth by Caroline Brewer (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 38, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	A Lotus for You: On the Path of Peace with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh by Minh Lê 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 37, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars