Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

A Perfect Day by Lane Smith

This House, Once by Deborah Freedman

The Secret Project by Jonah Winter with illustrations by Jeanette Winter

Are any of these books Caldecott contenders?

A Perfect Day is plain old just perfect. If Lane Smith loses out on a Caldecott for his incredible offerings two years in a row...I will be less than a happy camper. And definitely wonder about the judgement of the committee. Again. This House Once made me tear up. Gorgeous and definitely has a shot. The Secret Project is well done but I can't say I am a fan. Not sure what American Street is doing with the bunch. I think it is a young adult title? Illustrated? Great dust jacket art.

Laura wrote: "A Perfect Day is plain old just perfect. If Lane Smith loses out on a Caldecott for his incredible offerings two years in a row...I will be less than a happy camper. And definitely wonder about the..."

Oops. Sorry. I read a review that listed it as a picture book. After investigating further I have found out it is not. This is what happens sometimes when I rely to heavily on reviews instead of seeing the books myself first. I have removed American Street. Thank you Laura.

Kristen wrote: "Laura wrote: "A Perfect Day is plain old just perfect. If Lane Smith loses out on a Caldecott for his incredible offerings two years in a row...I will be less than a happy camper. And definitely wo..."

Anytime, Kristen. I would like to suggest Oliva the Spy by Ian Falconer. It is classic Falconer. So good.

The Secret Project has some serious representation and accuracy issues. Yes, the illustrations make it worthy of discussion but the problematic treatment of Native Americans and some historical misinformation destroyed this one for me.

Love A Perfect Day and This House, Once. Both evoke a very specific time and place using color, texture, and expression. Could see either one as a possible winner or honor.

A Perfect Day
I also loved this book. I loved the colors and the textures of the illustrations, with a very simple, but symmetrical story. And the final picture made me chuckle, as all the misplaced animals stare out at the very content bear. I think it is a contender.

Beverly wrote: "A Perfect Day
I also loved this book. I loved the colors and the textures of the illustrations, with a very simple, but symmetrical story. And the final picture made me chuckle, as all the misplace..."

Isn't that a great spread? So fantastic!

"A Perfect Day" is gorgeous, but I don't want to get my hopes up since Lane Smith was screwed last year with no acknowledgement from this committee for "A Tribe of Kids" and I still haven't recovered from "Grandpa Green" not receiving the medal instead of the honor.

Caren wrote: ""A Perfect Day" is gorgeous, but I don't want to get my hopes up since Lane Smith was screwed last year with no acknowledgement from this committee for "A Tribe of Kids" and I still haven't recover..."

We are fortunate Lane Smith continues to share his considerable talent with all of us. I am going to remain hopeful A Perfect Day gets the recognition it deserves for 2018. It will be an entirely new Caldecott committee voting. I do wish the selections went a bit beyond the established criteria. I adored last years winners Radiant Child (gold) and They All Saw a Cat (honor). However, many of the honor books have disappeared from my bookstore due to poor sales/lack of interest. This isn't opinion, btw. It would benefit deserving authors/illustrators, publishers, teachers, parents and most of all children if the preferences of children were taken into account. Anyone in the industry in some capacity has a pretty good idea of what the children are gravitating towards at any given time. I have faith in children. They can recognize excellence, too. The books are made for them, after all. There is a Tribe of Kids continues to sell briskly. The children just adore it.

A Perfect Day by Lane Smith

I LOVE everything about this book!



This House, Once by Deborah Freedman

The illustrations were beautiful. On a personal note, though I enjoyed this book, I don't see reading it again.


The Secret Project by Jonah Winter with illustrations by Jeanette Winter

I enjoyed this book but not sure how Caldecott worthy it is.

The Secret Project
I found the final illustrations to be intense: first the explosions, and then the double page spread of black, which ended the main part of the book. Although there is not much text in the main part of the book, it certainly is not for the pre-school picture book crowd. It is more appropriate for school age children.
I am not sure what Jennifer meant by "problematic treatment of Native Americans" since there is only one painting of a Hopi artist carving a kachina. Also not sure what the "historical misinformation" is, since the author included a detailed author's note about the project and a list of sources.

Agreed - Id like more information on what is problematic about The Secret Project and on the historical misinformation, especially since I've been using it on my summer reading visits. I read this one to a group of third graders and we had some fascinating discussion, and it also prompted them to check out more books on the topic. I agree that this one would be a long shot for Caldecott, but I was struck by the ending the first time I read it. It does a commendable job of using both the pictures and words to tell the story.

Debbie explains the problems much more clearly than I can: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jennifer wrote: "Debbie explains the problems much more clearly than I can: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks for the link!

Torn about The Secret Project. I'm not sure the illustrations would make it Caldecott worthy, but I'm hesitant to recommend a book that appears to neglect native populations.

A Perfect Day: I loved the illustrations in this book and I really hope it is a contender.

This House, Once: I haven't been able to read it yet.

I read Perfect Day to all my K's last week. Most classes laughed and loved the book, but one empathetic group declared it "a sad book" because bear's perfect day took away from the other animals' experiences. Some children were mad at bear for ruining things, and others said, "He's a bear; what do you expect?" Provocative for such a brief text, and so relatable (and that corn-toothed grin was priceless).

Laura wrote: "...It would benefit deserving authors/illustrators, publishers, teachers, parents and most of all children if the preferences of children were taken into account. Anyone in the industry in some capacity has a pretty good idea of what the children are gravitating towards at any given time. I have faith in children. They can recognize excellence, too. The books are made for them, after all." I, do agree with Laura! How amazing it would be to include a child or deserving classroom filled with eager, smart readers on Caldecott! Their input would be so valuable! And 'serving on the committee' would be an experience they would never forget!

All of the books listed for May's discussion are great - This House, Once could be honor. The others are further down on my list.

I conduct a mock Caldecott election at my school. Of course, I first narrow the selection to my 10 ten picks, then I read them to the students, we discuss the attributes of all the books, and then they vote. The winner receives the medal, the runner-up also get an honor. I am always amazed how seriously the students take this. I love hearing them discuss page spread, color palette, how their eye tracks across the page... You can imagine how pleased they are when the books they voted for win. Yes, young readers should be included on the Caldecott selection committee.

I wasn't impressed with the illustrations in The Secret Project and really disliked the book overall.

This House, Once
Finally received a copy. I really liked the illustrations and the gentle story of the various materials that make up the house; for example, the door used to be an oak tree, etc. The illustrations, which were rendered in pencil, watercolor, bits of colored pencil and pan pastel are lovely, and sort of have a misty feel. Gorgeous.

Beverly wrote: "This House, Once
Finally received a copy. I really liked the illustrations and the gentle story of the various materials that make up the house; for example, the door used to be an oak tree, etc. T..."

I love it, too. It is very special.

This was a surprise! I watched the WGN series "Manhattan" and this book surprised me. Who would write a book about The Manhattan Project for children? Well the Winters have created one, and it works. The language is accessible to middle grade readers and the artwork is interesting and stunning at the the right moments. I really loved the ideas this book brought to mind about expressing concept both verbally and visually. I will add this to my school collection and this book might become part of my 2018 Mock Caldecott program.

The Secret Project was a surprise! I watched the WGN series "Manhattan" and this book surprised me. Who would write a book about The Manhattan Project for children? Well the Winters have created one, and it works. The language is accessible to middle grade readers and the artwork is interesting and stunning at the the right moments. I really loved the ideas this book brought to mind about expressing concept both verbally and visually. I will add this to my school collection and this book might become part of my 2018 Mock Caldecott program.

I haven't been able to get the other two books, but I really loved A Perfect Day.