Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

A House by Kevin Henkes




Hurricane by John Rocco




How to Help a Pumpkin Grow by Ashley Wolff




We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell


Late start this month! Shout out to Beverly for supplying most of the list.

Could one of these be a future Caldecott award?

A House
Perfect for infants and toddlers. The simple, clear, basic illustrations remind me a little of Tomie DePaola's art style.

Hurricane
Excellent story on helping others and being helped in return. Fantastic pencil, watercolor and digital illustrations in double-page spreads, single spreads, and panels.

How to Help a Pumpkin Grow
An adorable border collie is growing pumpkins in her garden with the help of several other farm creatures--cow, rabbit, duck and goat. The illustrations are very appealing--I have admired Wolff's illustrations for many years, and these are among her best.

Kevin Henkes is a master at picture books and middle grade readers. His A House has the best chance at winning a Caldecott on this list. I do think it has a greater shot at winning a Geisel award. Hurricane by John Rocco is very good. A Caldecott is possible for him but I believe unlikely. 2021 has been an extraordinary year for picture books. I don’t consider the other titles to be Caldecott contenders.

I don't really see any of these titles winning a Caldecott, though Laura might be right that A House could possibly be recognized as an early reader. Of the four titles, I liked Rocco's Hurricane best for its stirring depiction of the devastation a hurricane can produce as well as the community's positive, supportive response after the event.