Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Melissa Sweet




Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution by Julie Winterbottom and illustrated by Susan Reagan - Illustrator




Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger




Cat Nap by Brian Lies


Are these publications "distinguished"?

Dear Acorn
Interesting poems, written as letters between acorn and oak; cloud and water droplets; bubbles and sky; button and coat; and more. Melissa Sweet's collage, watercolor, and mixed media illustrations are colorful and busy, and add details not mentioned in the poems. A very nice addition to Sidman's poetry books. A possible Caldecott contender.

Still waiting for the other three books.

Otto and the Story Tree
Even though the author/illustrator has won awards for her artwork, her style of mixed media art did not particularly appeal to me. The story was sweet. Otto certainly had an imagination and was very good at storytelling, and gradually his outlook changed over time. And the artwork did extend and expand on the text. Simply not my cup of tea.

Magic in a Drop of Water
This was an interesting biography. The illustrator used water color washes and Procreate to paint the illustrations, which were mostly muted in color. The illustrations followed the text and Patrick's life closely. Reagan also included many illustrations of fish, insects, snails, and other river creatures, as well as many illustrations of diatoms, Patrick's speciality. Back matter includes a few more details about Patrick, along with a timeline and brief bibliography.