Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Two Mice by Sergio Ruzzier

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Tad and Dad by David Ezra Stein

Egg: Nature's Perfect Package by Steve Jenkins

What do you think of these?

Waiting is brilliant. Subtle, quiet, child friendly, with the warmest color tones. It is unusually unique. No small feat in the world of picture books. Worthy of the Caldecott gold medal.

Hello there.

I found TAD AND DAD very cute and a good go-to-sleep book. The illustrations, though, while pleasant and fun, are not above average, in my opinion.

TWO MICE is a wonderful gem. The words and the pictures work perfectly with each other. I think this book is clever, exciting, and warm, with extraordinary illustrations. If I were in the committee, I'd consider this one.

WAITING is a good book, and I like the mood and the text very much. I found the illustrations a bit stiff and not as appealing as, I think, they could be. I wish the characters were more attractive and endearing.

I still have to find a copy of EGG.

I have read
Egg: Nature's Perfect PackageI did enjoy this book. It was informative the illustrations were great.

WaitingI thought that this books was very cute. The illustrations were perfect for the story.

I am still looking for Tad and Dad and Two Mice

So I just read Two Mice What a cute story. I loved the connection of the numbers going up and down and the illustrations matching.

Read Tad and Dad very cute story. Great illustrations

Waiting is amazing. The soft color palette, adorable toys, and beautiful language and pacing blew my mind. Surely a contender for the Caldecott.

I adored Two Mice. What a great way to introduce younger kids to adventure stories and inference. The illustrations and text work very well together. I think this one is Caldecott worthy as well.

Tad and Dad was cute and a great read aloud for young ones but not Caldecott worthy in my opinion.

Egg was awesome as Steve Jenkins and Robin Page always are. I can see this used for so many purposes in the classroom and as a browsing book to curl up with on a rainy day. Not sure if it is a Caldecott contender though.

Waiting definitely deserves a Caldecott. Very few are as gifted, unique and skilled as Kevin Henkes.

I loved Waiting! I think it's Caldecott worthy.

Two Mice: The pictures really carry the story in this book, with the text for clarification. Very nice, and I hope it is noticed by the committee.

Waiting: I also thought that this was a gem of a book; loved the illustrations and the story. I hope it gets a nod from the committee.

A great family story.

It's hard breaking the tight reigns as children get older. How can a family juggle quality time together as well as have needed alone time? Stein resolves this issue for Tad and Dad with the issue of bedtime!

Love how the lines and illustration outlines draw the reader into the story. And keep an eye on the moon throughout the story as it progresses into a full moon. Notice it disappears at the stormy point of story and reappears as the storm passes!

Caldecott worthy.

Nature's Perfect Package Egg is a fantastic informational book, well illustrated with torn and cut paper collage! Very intricate illustrations. I was forever amazed at the facts about nature's eggs! And as serendipity would have it, the book I just by chance selected to read, following this one? P. Zonka Lays an Egg. What a wonderful pairing to read with children! Caldecott worthy? Yes, both!

I'm not sure any of these are in the real running for a Caldecott. Waiting and Egg are my favorites of the bunch, but I just don't think they'll stand up to other stronger contenders.

Jenni wrote: "I'm not sure any of these are in the real running for a Caldecott. Waiting and Egg are my favorites of the bunch, but I just don't think they'll stand up to other stronger contenders."

I adore Waiting. I'm counting on it to win the Caldecott gold medal.

Tad and Dad:
I also loved this book, and the humorous, big-eyed illustrations in marker, watercolor, and crayon.

Jenni wrote: "I'm not sure any of these are in the real running for a Caldecott. Waiting and Egg are my favorites of the bunch, but I just don't think they'll stand up to other stronger contenders."

So what do you feel are the stronger contenders? I am having trouble picking anything from this year as a "strong" contender....

I do think Waiting is as the toys looking out the window tie in with the story, as Caldecotts should do.

Egg:
As with all of Jenkins books, this was full of fascinating information and meticulously detailed illustrations. It should at least garner a Sibert mention, if not a Caldecott mention.

I'm not sure which books are the strongest contenders, but I also loved Waiting, and hope it gets noticed by the committee.

Does anyone know the date/issue the New York Times Book Review will announce their 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books for 2015? Thanks for the help!

Two Mice--Great for my young readers! Love the flow of the story and the picture support. Maybe a Geisel?
Egg--As I said in a Tweet there were a lot of wows, no way, interesting, and I didn't know that's while I read Egg. Maybe a Sibert?
Tad and Dad--I read it this summer and didn't really like it.
Waiting--Quiet story, love the soft pastel illustrations, and to me is reminiscent of Tub People.