Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman

The Boy and the Airplane by Mark Pett

Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore

Bluebird by Bob Staake

Are any of these Caldecott worthy?

I love Bob Staake but this book was too sad. I would not want to read it twice and I really don't think a child would either.

I agree about "Bluebird" being sad, but it is so beautiful and the message is powerful! I used it with my fifth graders to talk about making inferences and being kind...lifting others up. We all enjoyed the illustrations!

My library doesn't have "The Boy and the Airplane" so I can't weigh in on it. Of the other three, I liked "Lucky Ducklings" the best but I didn't have that feeling of "Ahhh" I get with a great picture book.

I love the ideas in "The Matchbox Diary"--what an interesting concept to share memories and history--there are some good talking points but I didn't love the illustrations.

I think Bluebird is confusing to an adult and would be even more confusing to children therefore I feel it is not a Cladecott contender.