Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal.

Little Libraries, Big Heroes by Miranda Paul and illustrated by John Parra.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña.

Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island by Jennifer Thermes.

These books come highly recommended. What did you think of them?

Every one of these titles will probably receive a children's book award in January 2020. Manhattan and Fry Bread have the best shot at winning a Caldecott. I have never seen better illustrations by Jennifer Thermes and Juana Martinez-Neal. They are extraordinary works.

Manhattan
I read this a couple of months ago. I had to get it through ILL as my library system did not purchase it. I don't have it in front of me any more, but I was very impressed with the book. I was very impressed with the illustrations, and I was very impressed with the history that Thermes presented. I do hope it is awarded by some award, surely it will be noticed by the Sibert committee if not the Caldecott committee.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle
I really liked the story and the illustrations, but I thought there were other books published this year that were more deserving of a Caldecott. I imagine that this one is a shoo in for a Belpre award.

I agree, Beverly. Cute. Meaningful perhaps. But distinguished... I don't think so.