Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

I just realized that ALA is about to make their announcement. What book is your pick for the Caldecott? What books would you give an honor medal? Write out your lists and post 'em here.

Without any doubt, my pick for the Caldecott this year would be Brother Sun, Sister Moon. This is the most beautifully illustrated book I have seen in many years, and I find something new each and every time I read it. The paper cuts are incredibly complex, and the watercolors so subtle that it makes an amazing combination. This has been a great year for picture books, and I wouldn't mind seeing Grandpa Green or Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, which would be my 2nd and 3rd choices.

I have several favorites for the Caldecott. Here they are, in no particular order:
Press Here, Grandpa Green, Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature, Me...Jane, Blue Chicken or how about Wonderstruck? I can't wait to hear which book wins!

The youth services librarians at my library voted for Grandpa Green as our Mock Caldecott winner. Other contenders were Blackout, Mitchell's License, Me...Jane, Swirl by Swirl, I Want My Hat, and Mine! I Want My Hat was a contender only because some elementary school grades we outreach to voted it for their winner.

I love Blackout and Swirl by Swirl.

I Loved I Want My Hat Back, Me...Jane and Where's Walrus?

Our Library hosted a Mock Caldecott program last Thursday for library staff and other interested adults. Our pick was Swirl by Swirl, with honors to Grandpa Green, Blue Chicken and Balloons Over Broadway.

I'd choose Blackout.
Others I loved for the Caldecott include Press Here, Stars, Grandpa Green, I Want My Hat Back, and Wonderstruck.

Franki wrote: "I Loved I Want My Hat Back, Me...Jane and Where's Walrus?"

Ha, did i push you into Where's Walrus? :)

I loved Bone Dog, Otis and the Tornado. Swirl by Swirl has too many faults, Blue Chicken also has problems and no one appreciates my opinion of I Want My Hat Back .... although funny it just does not work for me as a Caldecott.

I love Otis and the Tornado and would be thrilled it if won. I thought Otis was a great possibility when it was published and think both of these are Caldecott worthy.

We had a Mock Caldecott program at our library, and though the attendance was low, we had 2 standouts.
The winner was Perfect Square and the honor book was Along A Long Road.