1
Boats for Papa

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4.29 avg rating — 1,252 ratings
"Incredible story and illustrations"
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2
If You Plant a Seed

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4.25 avg rating — 3,172 ratings
"A+ message! So positive! Illustrations are unbelievably gorgeous. Meant for ages birth to 101!"
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3
Toys Meet Snow: Being the W...

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4.14 avg rating — 1,151 ratings
"Beautiful read aloud - a wonder story! The characters in the book pose important questions for the reader about snow and winter and provide answers, some of which are poetic and others that are scientific! The illustrations are charming, funny, and delightful! This is a treasure of a book! Best wishes toward Caldecott Gold or Silver - most deserving!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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4
Finding Winnie: The True St...

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4.49 avg rating — 10,702 ratings
"An absolute must read! The story and illustrations are remarkable! Belongs on every book shelf to help people learn how Winnie-the-Pooh came to be. Very tender, family story, well told!"
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5
The Night World

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3.89 avg rating — 1,692 ratings
"Love the exciting view of the world at night and the anticipation of a beautiful new day!"
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6
The Turnip

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3.95 avg rating — 1,045 ratings
"Deserving of Caldecott! Love the surprise ending! Excellent adaptation of The Turnip and superb illustrations! Loved it!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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7
Beyond the Pond

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3.89 avg rating — 1,291 ratings
"This is a wonderful book - "full" of "wonder," imagination, beautiful language and illustrations. "
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8
Outstanding in the Rain

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3.26 avg rating — 516 ratings
"Two great 2015 children's books worth pairing for read-alouds and booktalks: Outstanding in the Rain by Frank Viva, mother and son story + Sidewalk Flowers by Jon Arno Lawson and Sydney Smith, daddy and daughter story. Both are A+ outstanding 2015 children's literature!

What a delightful story! Frank Viva does a masterful job of describing a WHOLE day at the carnival from beginning to end for a little guy and his mom! What a heartfelt story. The ending will melt your heart!!!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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9
McToad Mows Tiny Island

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3.86 avg rating — 724 ratings
"Adorable book! What an action packed transportation story! McToad leads a busy life! Thursday is an extra fun-filled day as that is the day set aside for him to mow the little island. What an awesome journey to get his mower to the island and then back home again, all in one day!

The pictures are hilarious and just set the story right at the top of my favorite hopefuls for Caldecott winner.

This story hits close to home! We have family members that work at McToad's speed and treat their equipment just as kindly as does McToad! Great job, on a winning book for little ones, Angleberger and Hendrix. Loved it!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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10
Lillian's Right to Vote: A ...

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4.39 avg rating — 1,446 ratings
"Powerful story and incredible illustrations equals an excellent book for all to read!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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11
The Wonderful Things You Wi...

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4.46 avg rating — 6,417 ratings
"Outstanding book! Very positive message for parents and children. Lots of love and parental support are featured in this book! Great message for today's world. Love your children and be involved in their lives. Give them all the support that you can.

Creativity and imagination are key in both text and pictures! Beautiful quote in book says it all, "This is the first time - There's ever been you, So I wonder what wonderful things - You will do. . . .""
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12
Water Is Water: A Book Abou...

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4.29 avg rating — 2,252 ratings
"Such beauty in the illustrations. So much to learn and explore in this book. "
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13
Waiting

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really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 6,447 ratings
"Gentle story. Stirs the imagination.
"
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14
Last Stop on Market Street

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4.31 avg rating — 18,693 ratings
"Such a gentle, kind-hearted story "
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15
Lenny & Lucy

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3.87 avg rating — 1,888 ratings
"Gorgeous book. Has a mixed flavor of Robert Frost and Where the Wild Things Are!

Such a sweet story about new beginnings, new friendships, and new adventures! The illustrations are amazing!

Really like the picture book teamwork of Philip and Erin Stead!"
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16
In a Village by the Sea

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4.16 avg rating — 714 ratings
"Beautiful look at village life in old Vietnam! Illustrations are magnificent!"
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17
Everybody Sleeps (But Not F...

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3.69 avg rating — 588 ratings
"What an adorable book! The story is in rhyme which is just delightful and funny! This is certainly a perfect read-aloud book! And oh won't the listeners just laugh and laugh! Little Fred keeps you amused throughout the story, but in the end, you just want to give him a soft little kiss! Fred is so typical of most little children that are just so busy learning from minute to minute! Busy children have a hard time taking time out to sleep!!!

The pictures are action-packed and hilarious! Josh Schneider outdid himself in telling this story and adding the illustrations. There are so many funny little things to see on each page! And Scheider's work in pen and ink and watercolor is spectacular!

I certainly hope this book goes to the top in Caldecott awards! "
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18
Special Delivery

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3.78 avg rating — 933 ratings
"Wildly imaginative and fun to read to children! Will bring laughter and cheers. A very nice read-aloud! Love the cartoonish illustrations!

You will fall in love with Aunt J. and Sadie! "
Carol rated it 5 stars
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19
Gingerbread for Liberty!: H...

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3.99 avg rating — 978 ratings
"Adorable! What a great way to bring history alive in the classroom, at the library, or in the home! Added bonus on the endpages? Yep, a great recipe for gingerbread!

The story is so easy to understand and the illustrations are simply fascinating! Would love a video on how the illustrator used the technique of rubbelkrepp to make the pictures in this book! Very unique and a perfect way to tell this story, cookie style!

This is a buttery delicious story that will excite the senses!

A very likely candidate for Caldecott!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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20
The Moon is Going to Addy's...

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3.77 avg rating — 514 ratings
"Lyrically illustrated and written! A beautiful story of how the moon follows a family as they travel home to the country after a full day of play in the city. Beautiful collage and cut paper work by the author / illustrator! Such a detailed, delicate masterpiece!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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21
Wild About Us!: A Joyful Pi...

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4.15 avg rating — 711 ratings
"The art is this picture book is incredible. Each and every wild animal is beautiful. Love looking for the fly on each page. Children will adore this book!"
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22
The Day the Crayons Came Home

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4.40 avg rating — 16,945 ratings
"Everyone can probably appreciate this book and realize the plight of their own personal crayons, throughout time!

I love the book's illustrations rendered in crayon, the dedication to the Postal Service, and the use of a cardboard box in the story. If you have ever proudly designed a piece of architecture from cardboard, you will surely love and identify with this book!!!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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23
Home

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4.10 avg rating — 3,182 ratings
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24
By Mouse and Frog

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3.92 avg rating — 798 ratings
"Cleverly written! Will have readers laughing and imagining! Wonderful read-aloud book! Oh come on, mouse and frog, give Deborah Freedman a little credit for writing and illustrating this highly creative story!

This is a great example of collaboration! Mouse and Frog do a super job of working things out as the story progresses! There could be sequels???"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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25
A Passion for Elephants: Th...

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4.06 avg rating — 157 ratings
"Inspirational story of following your passions. Great illustrations support the story."
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26
Mother Goose's Pajama Party

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3.84 avg rating — 183 ratings
"I really like a good collection of Mother Goose rhymes and this book has a nice, fresh story to go with the rhymes! Join the party and enjoy a great "collective gathering" of good 'ole Mother Goose characters. In this story, they have all been invited to Mother Goose's PJ party. Follow them as they travel to the party and have a wonderful time together. Their favorite rhymes are shared in this book!

Worthy of adding to a children's book collection! Wonderful eye-appealing illustrations!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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27
Red: A Crayon's Story

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4.39 avg rating — 9,397 ratings
"Hilarious! Clever! Fun story! Such a Caldecott contender!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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28
Counting Crows

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3.50 avg rating — 742 ratings
"Reminds me of the One, Two, Buckle My Shoe! This is a delightful rhyme - modern, refreshing, and a real smacker of a story! Language is fun; the story is suspenseful; and the illustrations encourage counting, a lot, and finding that last somewhat hidden illustration in the count to 11 and 12! Nice book! Will capture the attention of readers, over and over again!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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29
Winnie: The True Story of t...

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4.31 avg rating — 2,599 ratings
"Sweet book for children! Would be an enduring legacy for anyone's library. So much to talk about after reading this book with children...zoos, WWI, wild bears, veterinary care, Winnie-the-Pooh.

Beautiful story and great illustrations!
"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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30
Interstellar Cinderella

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4.14 avg rating — 3,741 ratings
"Oh, my stars! This story is electric, innovative, and very 21st Century - and beyond! Love this retelling of Cinderella. This pictures are electric and stimulating! A book that I would love to read to an audience or a little one! Very Caldecott worthy!"
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31
My Pen

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4.02 avg rating — 1,302 ratings
"Thought provoking!"
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32
Tad and Dad

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3.82 avg rating — 1,034 ratings
"Passionate family story"
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33
Wish

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4.21 avg rating — 947 ratings
"Passionate family story"
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34
Wolfie the Bunny

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4.16 avg rating — 4,764 ratings
"For sure, this book would bring great joy and laughter to a roomful of listening ears or maybe one-on-one. At first, I thought it was just a funny story, but the more I thought about it, I realized there is a great message of friendship and acceptance in this story!

Line markings on the faces of the bunnies, wolf, and bear show great emotions! Nice illustrations to support a hilarious story!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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35
Drum Dream Girl: How One Gi...

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4.26 avg rating — 3,916 ratings
"Very inspirational story for all ages!"
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36
Stick and Stone (Stick and ...

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4.18 avg rating — 4,723 ratings
"The words in the story are hilarious (attention grabbers) and the illustrations are vibrant and heart warming.
"
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37
Goodnight Already!

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4.08 avg rating — 3,682 ratings
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38
Leo: A Ghost Story

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3.93 avg rating — 3,482 ratings
"Indeed the illustrations are essential to telling this story. FANTASTIC story of childhood!
"
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39
Grandma in Blue with Red Hat

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3.97 avg rating — 406 ratings
"Ah, what a sweet admiration of a Grandmother."
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40
P. Zonka Lays an Egg

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3.87 avg rating — 502 ratings
"Positive story! Great study of culture! Lovely swirling, colorful illustrations!

Serendipity....Right before I read this book, I read another new for 2015 title, Nature's Perfect Package Egg by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. These are two wonderful books to pair together."
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41
Egg: Nature's Perfect Package

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4.24 avg rating — 512 ratings
"Unbelievable facts about nature! Great illustrations!

Great to pair with 2015 new title, P. Zonka Lays an Egg by Julie Paschkis."
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42
Drowned City: Hurricane Kat...

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4.04 avg rating — 9,204 ratings
"Now this is an outstanding graphic novel! How well researched and documented! What a great example for students on how to complete a research project! The source notes and bibliography are amazing. Kudos to a great book!

Don Brown describes and illustrates a horrific event in history but in a positive light. He speaks of hope as the residents of Louisiana rebuild their lives, homes, and communities, even though many of the events were so sad.

Expecting this book to receive countless honors in the years to come!"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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43
Emmanuel's Dream: The True ...

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4.37 avg rating — 3,299 ratings
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44
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lo...

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4.31 avg rating — 2,817 ratings
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45
The Grasshopper & the Ants

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3.78 avg rating — 735 ratings
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46
Float

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4.16 avg rating — 2,497 ratings
"Beautiful illustrations. "
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47
Wait

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really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,009 ratings
"Especially good book for a parent to read. Has a clear message! Great illustrations!"
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48
I Wish You More

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4.39 avg rating — 5,372 ratings
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49
The Skunk: A Picture Book

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3.72 avg rating — 2,129 ratings
"Great illustrations to compliment a story of compassion for a skunk, of all creatures! Love the simplistic use of colors red, black, and white to tell this story. Nice use of endpaper, too!"
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50
Supertruck

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3.82 avg rating — 1,353 ratings
"A hero that does not ask for recognition - just does good deeds - just because.
"
Carol rated it 5 stars
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message 1: by Carol (new)

Carol  V The Newbery and Caldecott 2016 were awarded today, but I stand by these top 50 for best of the best! A few wonderful books were overlooked in the award categories. Every book in the hands of a little one is an award!


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