Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art by Cynthia Levinson




Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued by Peter Sís




This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin




Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist Mavynee Betsch by Heidi Tyline King



With the start of the school year I thought it might be nice to look at some non-fiction books. Some have argued that non-fiction gets overlooked by children and the Caldecott committee.

What did you think of these publications? Do you think children will enjoy them?

A wonderful assortment of non-fiction Caldecott contenders. Every one of them is good enough to win an award! I love The People's Painter and This Very Tree very much. Evan Turk is long overdue for his Caldecott win and Sean Rubin's illustrations always touch my heart. There is something extraordinary about his work. In every picture book he has ever created. But will children like these four selections? Age will play an important role in whether a child might like these titles. Probably This Very Tree and Saving American Beach will be the more popular selections. The subjects are all weighty and will invoke much discussion. Great classroom reads!

This Very Tree
I loved this story! I had never heard of this pear tree before reading this book. What a wonderful thing the New Yorkers involved did to bring this tree back to life, so to speak. Rubin's illustrations really carry the story along, especially the several double-page spreads depicting the wreckage of the World Trade Center buildings. But there is also beauty and hope in the resurrection and re-planting of the pear tree. I do hope it gets some recognition.

Beverly wrote: "This Very Tree
I loved this story! I had never heard of this pear tree before reading this book. What a wonderful thing the New Yorkers involved did to bring this tree back to life, so to speak. Ru..."

We are very proud of all those New Yorkers who worked so hard to save that Callery pear tree. The Survivor Tree healed due to much TLC and was returned to the new plaza after 9 years. It’s seedlings are shipped to communities all over the world who have suffered a tragedy. This Very Tree is a gorgeous and meaningful book.

Nicky and Vera had such fantastic artwork! I initially read it as an ebook, and it was one I knew I had to make a point of borrowing in print

Saving American Beach - perfect lead-in book to a study of Black Lives Matters at any grade, ages 9 - up to 109! The illustrations are colorful, acrylic and collage. The bright colors are filled with symbolism: Honor nature and protect our environment, bring your pastel dreams to life / reality, and see the world as a colorful happy place. Worthy of Caldecott award.

This Very Tree - The illustrations feature text font used on the cornerstone of the One World Trade Center. Throughout the book, the illustrations feature sketching, penciling in the manner of hatching and cross hatching to add shadow and depth. These lines seem symbolic of architectural rebuilding and strength in material. These sketched illustrations seems to represent the resilience of a people and its community. The copyright note in the book says five different styles of erasers are used throughout the illustrations. This seems to represent the power of light and hope finding its way into the aftermath of 9/11. Great book! Potential Caldecott Award!"


The People's Painter - such a good story for our times. Ben Shahn - a child with a dream. An excellent book to kick off many units of study and thought, grades 4th and up. The illustrations are worthy of historical study. Together, author, Cynthia Levinson, and illustrator, Evan Turk, bring to life the dreams of Ben Shahn, artist for the people. Fact is, the same stories of justice for Americans are still in the news. Some budding artist that might read this book could be inspired to continue in Ben Shahn's footsteps. In my top 10 books of the year. Should win many awards!

Nicky & Vera - This Holocaust story is told in a gentle way and the illustrations are peaceful and realistic of the time periods 1940s – 1980s about WWII. The pictures are so thought provoking - such a pictorial encyclopedia about the Holocaust! A winner!!!

It took many months for me to secure copies of these four titles so that I could reread them. My first reading was very positive, and my second reading confirms that I find them all to be worthy picture books. Nicky & Vera and This Very Tree both share beautiful, inspiring stories about the past, but my personal favorites are The People's Painter and Saving American Beach, which are both in my top ten for the year. Saving American Beach has vibrant colors that work together to produce gorgeous, mosaic-like illustrations. Ekua Holmes is such an expressive, creative artist that I've come to adore her work. The People's Painter is absolutely extraordinary and has such a powerful message about conveying emotions and opinions and stories through the media of painting and drawing. The picture book is a tour de force by its artist Evan Turk.