Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

The ALA awards are coming up fast. On January 11th the Caldecott awards will be announced.
Let's choose our winners first.
January 2nd I will take the top ten books mentioned and create our poll.

This is my list...I'd never be able to be on a committee! ;)

Wish*
A Fine Dessert *
Waiting*
Lillian's right to vote*
This is Sadie*
Float*
Enormous Smallness*
Yard Sale*
Tea Party in the Woods*
Up in the Garden Down in the Dirt*
Special Delivery*
If you plant a seed *

This is my list...I'd never be able to be on a committee! ;)

Wish*
A Fine Dessert *
Waiting*
Lillian's right to vote*
This is Sadie*
Float*
Enormous Smallness*
Yard Sale*
Tea Party in the Woods*
Up in the Garden Down in the Dirt*
Special Delivery*
If you plant a seed *

Not sure if all of these, but here's my top 10... for today.

A Fine Dessert
The Midnight Library
Leo: A Ghost Story
Imaginary Fred
Waiting
Wolfie the Bunny
Tea Party in the Woods
Sonya’s Chickens
The Skunk
Rosario’s Fig Tree

Finding Winnie
The Whisper
A Fine Dessert

If You Plant a Seed
A Fine Dessert
McToad Mows Tiny Island
Waiting
Finding Winnie

Last Stop on Market Street
If You Plant a Seed
Sonya's Chickens
In a Village By the Sea
I Am Henry Finch
Marvelous Cornelius
Water is Water

Finding Winnie
A Fine Dessert
Float
Boats for Papa
Toys in the Snow
In a Village By the Sea
Lizard From the Park

Angie wrote: "This is my list...I'd never be able to be on a committee! ;)

Wish*
A Fine Dessert *
Waiting*
Lillian's right to vote*
This is Sadie*
Float*
Enormous Smallness*
Yard Sale*
Tea Party in the Woods*
..."

Tea Party...is not eligible. It is a translation and the authorstrator is from Japan. Hopefully a Batchelder.

Librarygarden wrote: "Finding Winnie
A Fine Dessert
Float
Boats for Papa
Toys in the Snow
In a Village By the Sea
Lizard From the Park"

Finding Winnie isn't eligible. The author is a Canadian resident. Too bad, I adore the book.

I have about fifty favorites. I suppose these are my top ten favorites. What a hard job the Caldecott Committee will have!

Boats for Papa
If You Plant a Seed
Toys Meet Snow:Being the Wintertime Adventures...
Finding Winnie
The Night World
Beyond the Pond
Outstanding in the Rain
McToad Mows Tiny Island
Lillian's Right to Vote
Water is Water

Laura wrote: "Librarygarden wrote: "Finding Winnie
A Fine Dessert
Float
Boats for Papa
Toys in the Snow
In a Village By the Sea
Lizard From the Park"

Finding Winnie isn't eligible. The author is a Canadian resi..."

Does the author's country matter? The book has been on many mock lists. I believe it is eligible because the illustrator is from the US. Also with all the discussion about A Fine Dessert I would think this would have been brought up.

Librarygarden wrote: "Laura wrote: "Librarygarden wrote: "Finding Winnie
A Fine Dessert
Float
Boats for Papa
Toys in the Snow
In a Village By the Sea
Lizard From the Park"

Finding Winnie isn't eligible. The author is a..."

I did some research and the author of This One Summer is a native of Canada. This title won a Caldecott honor. Maybe a librarian can verify the definition/criteria of this award?

Another Canadian won in past. http://m.thestar.com/#/article/entert...

Last Stop on Market Street
Waiting
Finding Winnie
Toys In The Snow
It's Only Stanley

Carol wrote: "Another Canadian won in past. http://m.thestar.com/#/article/entert..."

Jon Klassen is a U.S. resident.

It actually looks like Sophie Blackall is Australian, living in the US. Has she been ineligible all these years? This would actually make sense since I feel like she has been robbed in the past.

I believe that the Caldecott criteria requires residency in the U.S. not citizenship.

Here is a link to the ALA's criteria for the award: Caldecott-Terms and Criteria

My faves

Waiting
Wolfie the Bunny
Yard Sale
Boats for Papa
Float

I realize now that "I Am Henry Finch" probably isn't eligible since the author lives in London.

Also, I forgot to add "Float" and "Wait" to my list.

Deborah wrote: "Here is a link to the ALA's criteria for the award: Caldecott-Terms and Criteria"

It sure seems that the author/illustrator must be a resident of the U.S.

Jenni wrote: "It actually looks like Sophie Blackall is Australian, living in the US. Has she been ineligible all these years? This would actually make sense since I feel like she has been robbed in the past."

It doesn't matter where you were born. Sophie Blackall is magnificent. So creative, original and brilliant. One of my absolute favorite illustrators.

The Caldecott criteria states "The award is restricted to artists who are citizens or residents of the United States. "
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/...

-Since the award is only given to the artist, not the author- it is only the artist that needs to be eligible.

-Sophie Blackall is currently a resident of the United States, which would make Finding Winnie eligible.

-Both Jon Klassen and Jillian Tamaki (who are Canadian) were residents of the United States the years their books won the Caldecott medal or an honor.

Susan wrote: "The Caldecott criteria states "The award is restricted to artists who are citizens or residents of the United States. "
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/......"

That is terrific. I sure would be thrilled if Finding Winnie won an honor. I am hoping Waiting by Kevin Henkes wins the gold. Or Water is Water. It is stunning.

I just read "Hiawatha and the Peacemaker" and it blew me away. I'm wondering if it could be a contender for the medal.

Mine are:
A Fine Dessert
Tucky Jo and Little Heart
If You Plant a Seed
Trombone Shorty

I vote for:
The Night World
If You Plant a Seed
Special Delivery
Wolfie the Bunny

My fingers are crossed for these:

The Whisper
Float
A Village by the Sea
My Pen
The Night World
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
Yard Sale

I love so many - It's amazing how Emily Jenkins gets the best illustrators. - The committee has their work cut out for themselves.

Finding Winnie
A Fine Dessert
Toys Meet Snow
Water is Water
If You Plant a Seed
My Pen
The Night World
The Whisper
Tucky Jo and Little Heart

Love reading these books every year just as much as I love that I'm NOT on the actual committee.

My Pen
Lenny and Lucy
In a Village by the Sea
Waiting
Night Animals

I could really just list 10 more I loved this year.

there were so many that i liked
but the top were

If you plant a seed
Waiting
Finding Winnie
A fine dessert

My Pen
Mama Seeton's Whistle
The Moon Is Going to Addy's House
Night World
Wait

I forgot about Billy's Booger. I loved the book within the book. Also, William Joyce is another illustrator who seems to get passed over for the Caldecott. I'd really like to see him get something this year.

Jenni wrote: "I forgot about Billy's Booger. I loved the book within the book. Also, William Joyce is another illustrator who seems to get passed over for the Caldecott. I'd really like to see him get something ..."

You are so right! It was released early in the year and I completely forgot about it. Incredibly original with amazing illustrations.

I totally agree!! I loved the story of Billy's booger and can't understand why his Guardians books have been passed over...they are breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the recent Jack Frost.

I totally agree!! I loved the story of Billy's booger and can't understand why his Guardians books have been passed over...they are breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the recent Jack Frost.

I totally agree!! I loved the story of Billy's booger and can't understand why his Guardians books have been passed over...they are breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the recent Jack Frost.

I totally agree!! I loved the story of Billy's booger and can't understand why his Guardians books have been passed over...they are breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the recent Jack Frost.

Favorites include Waiting, Float, and The Whisper. I'm meeting this week with a kid lit group from the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA for our final choices.

Would love for you to post your choices.